The disclosure relates to a spacer using a hydrogel for treatment that aids in growth or bonding of living tissues after surgery or treatment of joints, muscles, or ligaments. The spacer includes a support sheet formed of a biodegradable hydrogel material having a water-soluble polymer network structure, and a pouch formed of a biodegradable material, as a sealing bag-shaped member surrounding the support sheet, and the support sheet is formed to dissolve in a body fluid faster than the pouch. Therefore, the spacer and a method of manufacturing the spacer according to the disclosure may eliminate cost and stress because there is no need for a subsequent removal operation, while stabilizing a surgical site and reducing pain, and particularly, adjust a drug delivery rate adaptively according to different recovery rates or tissue regeneration rates for different ages of patients.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating bone fractures. In particular, provided herein are systems comprising carbon fiber sleeves and biocompatible polymers and the use of such systems in treating or preventing bone fractures.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auxetic structure, comprising or consisting of cellulosic material, preferably comprising nanostructured or microstructured cellulose on at least one of its surfaces or consisting of nanostructured or microstructured cellulose and optionally other cellulosic material.

A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

A biomaterial, particularly for tissue regeneration, includes an open, porous bioresorbable first material portion and a second material portion that is stiffer than the first material portion, wherein the volume fraction of the stiffer material is less than 30% of the total volume of the biomaterial, and the structural stiffness of the second material portion is at least 10 times greater than that of the first material portion.

A biomaterial, particularly for tissue regeneration, includes an open, porous bioresorbable first material portion and a second material portion that is stiffer than the first material portion, wherein the volume fraction of the stiffer material is less than 30% of the total volume of the biomaterial, and the structural stiffness of the second material portion is at least 10 times greater than that of the first material portion.

Embodiments herein described provide antigen-presenting cell-mimetic scaffolds (APC-MS) and use of such scaffolds to manipulating T-cells. More specifically, the scaffolds are useful for promoting growth, division, differentiation, expansion, proliferation, activity, viability, exhaustion, anergy, quiescence, apoptosis, or death of T-cells in various settings, e.g., in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. Embodiments described herein further relate to pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such scaffolds. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the scaffolds, compositions, and kits/packages. Also described herein are methods for using the scaffolds, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as cancers, immunodeficiency disorders, and/or autoimmune disorders.

Embodiments herein described provide antigen-presenting cell-mimetic scaffolds (APC-MS) and use of such scaffolds to manipulating T-cells. More specifically, the scaffolds are useful for promoting growth, division, differentiation, expansion, proliferation, activity, viability, exhaustion, anergy, quiescence, apoptosis, or death of T-cells in various settings, e.g., in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. Embodiments described herein further relate to pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such scaffolds. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the scaffolds, compositions, and kits/packages. Also described herein are methods for using the scaffolds, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as cancers, immunodeficiency disorders, and/or autoimmune disorders.

An implantable medical device is disclosed comprising a thermoplastic composite body having anterior, first lateral, second lateral, posterior, superior, and inferior surfaces, and at least one dense portion and at least one porous portion which are integrally formed. The at least one dense portion is formed of a first thermoplastic polymer matrix that is essentially non-porous, and which is continuous through a thickness dimension from the superior surface to the inferior surface. The at least one porous portion is formed of a porous thermoplastic polymer scaffold having a second thermoplastic polymer matrix which is continuous through the thickness dimension. A method for forming the thermoplastic composite body is disclosed comprising disposing a first powder mixture in a first portion of a mold, disposing a second powder mixture in a second portion of the mold, simultaneously molding the first powder mixture and the second powder mixture, and leaching porogen.