A barrier layer and corresponding method of making provide anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and anti-adhesion functionality for a medical device implantable in a patient. The barrier layer can be combined with a medical device structure to provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing, non-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory response. The barrier layer is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent.

A barrier device is formed of a barrier component that can exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, non-inflammatory properties, and/or adhesion-limiting properties, as well as generate a modulated healing effect on injured tissue. The barrier component can be a non-polymeric cross-linked gel derived at least in part from a fatty acid compound, and may include a therapeutic agent. The barrier device can have anchoring locations to provide an area on the barrier device to interface with an anchoring mechanism. The anchoring locations can include openings and/or anchor elements. The barrier device can also include truss structures that provide additional strength to the barrier component. The barrier device is implantable in a patient for short term or long term applications, and can include controlled release of the therapeutic agent.

Disclosed are methods, devices and materials for the in situ formation of a nerve cap and/or a nerve wrap to inhibit neuroma formation following planned or traumatic nerve injury. The method includes the steps of identifying a severed end of a nerve, and positioning the severed end into a cavity defined by a form. A transformable media is introduced into the form cavity to surround the severed end. The media is permitted to undergo a transformation from a first, relatively flowable state to a second, relatively non flowable state to form a protective barrier surrounding the severed end. The media may be a hydrogel, and the transformation may produce a synthetic crosslinked hydrogel protective barrier. The media may include at least one anti-regeneration agent to inhibit nerve regrowth

The present disclosure relates to ultrashort peptides capable of forming a gel, to a gel comprising a peptide in accordance with the present disclosure, and to a method of preparing such gel. Such gel is a hydrogel or an organogel. The peptides are suitable bioinks for a bioprinter to build 3D structures through 3D printing as well as other applications.

Hydrogels, bioplastics, and techniques for generating the same are described herein. An example method includes generating a resin including a globular protein, a co-monomer, water, and a photoinitiator. A hydrogel is generated by exposing the resin to light, thereby polymerizing the globular protein and the co-monomer. Further, the example method includes dehydrating the hydrogel by removing at least a portion of the water; and rehydrating the hydrogel in the presence of a hydrogen bonding agent.

Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for secure validation of financial transactions. A server computing device registers a mobile device to receive notification messages from the server computing device. The server computing device transmits a notification message via a first communication channel to a notification agent executing on the registered mobile device, where the message identifies activity associated with a financial account of a user of the registered mobile device. The server computing device receives a response to the notification message via a second communication channel from an application executing on the registered mobile device, if the notification message requires a response. The server computing device stores the response in a database coupled to the server computing device, and determines whether to (i) allow, (ii) deny, or (iii) deny and report as fraud the identified activity based upon the response.

The present invention describes methods and compositions for non-invasively assessing the molecular structure of biocompatible hydrogels using MRI analysis. It is shown that biocompatible hydrogels prepared from polymerizing macromolecules that are attached to a paramagnetic, superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic contrast agents form reporter gels wherein monitoring of the changes in the structure of the hydrogels by MRI is facilitated by the presence of such paramagnetic, superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic agents in the biocompatible hydrogel.

A soft film, a sponge, or a sheet in the dried state is provided, which is capable of forming a hydrogel absorbing water or blood. The film is obtainable by preparing a film-state material in the dried state from either a solution of poly(acrylic acid) or a solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and bringing the film-state material into contact with the other remaining solution, and then drying or freeze-drying it.

A method of inhibiting cancer cell metastasis in a subject by providing a biopsy marker device constructed of a polymeric material, the polymeric material containing an anti-inflammatory agent which is releasable over an extended period of time from the polymeric material after the biopsy marker device has been implanted in a tissue of the subject, and implanting the biopsy marker device into a tissue cavity of the subject, wherein the tissue cavity is caused by a biopsy performed on a tumor in the subject, and wherein release of the anti-inflammatory agent from the polymeric material does not begin for at least 18 to 24 hours after implantation and continues for at least 14 to 60 days after implantation. Metastasis of cancer cells from the tissue cavity is inhibited when the tumor is cancerous. The tissue may be, for example, breast, lung, prostate, pancreas, liver, kidney, uterus, ovary, intestine, stomach, or neck tissue.

An implantable bioreactor containing a barrier which is designed to allow the release of cell-derived biomolecules, but restricts the entry of immunologic and other cells, or the egress of the cells contained within the bioreactor. Two broad classes of implantable bioreactors are envisioned, encompassing devices for both systemic delivery of the bio-products and local delivery at the target tissue. Bioreactors of both classes can be implanted via surgery, through percutaneous techniques, or other techniques which effect implantation.