The apparatuses and methods described herein relates generally to the field of active agent (drug) release from surgical grafts useful for soft tissue reconstruction, regeneration, or repair. More particularly, described herein are surgical grafts for soft tissue repair that include active agent that is released over time while advantageously matching the biomechanical properties of tissue during healing and recovery.

A system for performing a minimally invasive percutaneous procedure comprises a medical device comprising a hydrogel delivery needle (4) with a tip and a hydrogel outlet (6), an injectable, shear-thinning, self-healing viscoelastic hydrogel that exhibits a storage modulus (G′) of at least 600 Pa, and a tan δ (G"/G′) from 0.1 to 0.6 in dynamic viscoelasticity measured by a rheometer at 1 Hz and 1% strain rate at 25° C. The system may also comprise a coaxial cannula (2) having a lumen configured for receipt of the hydrogel delivery needle (4), wherein the hydrogel delivery needle comprises an adjustable positioning mechanism (8) configured to limit the advancement depth of the hydrogel delivery needle through the coaxial cannula to a predetermined depth distal to a distal-most end of the coaxial cannula.

A method of producing a medical device having a substrate and a hydrophilic polymer layer, including the steps of: pretreating the substrate by placing the substrate in an alkali solution and heating the substrate at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 100° C.; and heating a solution containing the pretreated substrate, a hydrophilic polymer having an acidic group and a hydroxyalkyl group, and an organic acid at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 100° C. Provided is a simple method of producing a medical device imparted with hydrophilicity excellent in durability.

Disclosed herein is an anti-adhesion kit comprised of: (i) a fibrinogen solution component comprising: fibrinogen at a concentration of about 5 to 25 mg/ml; and free calcium ions at a concentration ranging from 0.1 μM to 1 mM; and (ii) a thrombin component containing thrombin. Further disclosed is an anti-adhesion kit comprised of: (i) a fibrinogen solution component containing fibrinogen at a concentration of 8% to 25% of total protein by weight, and optionally free calcium ions at a concentration ranging from 0.1 μM to 1 mM; wherein a total protein concentration ranges from about 80 to 120 mg/ml; and (ii) a thrombin component containing thrombin. Methods of using the kits e.g., to provide anti-adhesion curable compositions are also disclosed.

A disposable device for treating a condition of a ureter or kidney having a cylindrical body about 1-2 mm in diameter by about 5 to 10 mm in length and having a top and bottom end. The body is made of absorbent material that expands upon contact with pharmaceutical agent and bodily fluids and includes a string connected to the bottom end of the body for removing the device. The device can be used to treat a condition of the ureter or kidney by inserting into the ureter or kidney, delivering a pharmaceutical agent, and removing the device after it has been impregnated with fluid. The device can be included in a kit with an insertion device and/or appropriate pharmaceutical agents.

Intraocular pressure sensors, systems, and methods of use. Implantable intraocular pressure sensing devices that are hermetically sealed and adapted to wirelessly communicate with an external device. The implantable devices can include a hermetically sealed housing, the hermetically sealed housing including therein: an antenna in electrical communication with a rechargeable power source, the rechargeable power source in electrical communication with an ASIC, and the ASIC in electrical communication with a pressure sensor.

The present disclosure provides reinforced hydrogel structures, methods of reinforcing hydrogel structures, and methods of treating ischemic disorders using the reinforced hydrogel structures.

Disclosed herein are drug delivery devices that can temporally and spatially deliver biologically active agents. An example drug delivery device includes a microneedle array comprising a plurality of microneedles on a surface of a substrate, each microneedle comprising a core comprising a hydrogel and a layer on a surface of the core. Also disclosed are methods of using the drug delivery device, and methods of making the microneedle array that includes a loading device.

Systems and methods for tissue engineered synthetic support structures, such as grafts and patches are provided. The systems and methods can be used to make tissue engineered planar sheathes or meshes that can be fashioned into substantially planar or non-planar 3D tissue/organ structures adaptable to structure and organs within a human or mammalian body. The systems and methods can use bioink deposited on a material having specified properties and matured under specified conditions to create the tissue engineered planar sheathes or meshes having biomechanical and biological properties tailored to a particular tissue.

The pharmaceutical composition constituted by carboxymethylated starch and citric acid, a citrate, or mixtures thereof, prevents adhesion of injured mesothelial surfaces and the formation of adhesion bands between the mesothelia at the highest level. The composition in gel form acts as a matrix in which connective tissue healing of tissue defects is promoted.