Biocompatible stiffness enhanced pliable electrically conductive filaments configured for contact with living tissue and electrical communication with such tissue. The pliability of the filaments allows the distal end of the filaments to remain at the original site of penetration into the tissue despite the movement of the tissue relative to their surrounding environment. To temporarily stiffen the filaments, a soluble stiffness enhancing coating is disposed over the filaments. The coating may be in the form of a liquid which dries to a solid state after being applied to the filaments and renders the filaments sufficiently rigid such that under appropriate force, the filaments are capable of penetrating into dense tissue. Once in place, the stiffness enhancing coating dissolves due to contact with body fluids, the filaments, in the absence of such a coating, return to their initial pliability.

A therapeutic filler composition and method of using the same for augmenting soft tissue is provided. The therapeutic filler composition may include an anti-microbial first component, a carrier, and a cross-linking agent, wherein the carrier is cross-linked with the cross-linking agent and the first component is combined with the cross-linked carrier into a combination having a therapeutic effect.

Disclosed herein are flowable tissue matrix compositions comprising small pieces of partially or completely decellularized tissue suspended in a gelatinized tissue or gelatin gel comprising partially or completely decellularized tissue or synthetic gelatin. The flowable tissue matrix compositions can contain factors that promote or enhance native cell migration, proliferation, and/or revascularization after implantation into a subject. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the flowable tissue matrix compositions. The compositions can be implanted into a tissue in need of repair, regeneration, healing, treatment, and/or alteration, and can promote or enhance native cell migration, proliferation, and/or revascularization.

A non-synthetic, hydrophilic, biodegradable, biocompatible polysaccharide based non-toxic anti-adhesion hydrogel barrier is disclosed herein. The barrier of the present invention is formed by constructing a unique interpenetrating, crosslinked network with a unique porosity. Furthermore, the barrier of the present invention is comprised of tunable biopolymers for controllable mechanical robustness and degradation. The barrier of the present invention effectively reduces unwanted adhesions using non-synthetic components.

Methods and kits for delivering pharmaceutical agents to the adventitia and other regions outside the external elastic lamina (EEL) surrounding a blood vessel utilize a catheter having a needle. The needle is positioned in up to 5 mm beyond the EEL and delivers an amount of pharmaceutical agent sufficient to circumferentially permeate around the blood vessel and, in many cases, extend longitudinally and radially along the blood vessel. Confirmation that a delivery aperture of the needle lies beyond the EEL may be required before delivering the pharmaceutical agent. In one example, the catheters are used to deliver dexamethasone and other anti-inflammatory agents to the peripheral and other vasculature to treat peripheral vascular disease and other conditions.

An implantable device for providing a therapeutic agent includes a container configured to contain multiple cells capable of producing the therapeutic agent within an interior region of the container and a substance capable of reacting to generate oxygen for the multiple cells within the interior region of the container. The container defines first pores defined by an interior wall portion of the container and second pores defined by an exterior wall portion of the container. The first pores have a first average size that (i) allows passage of the therapeutic agent through the first pores and (ii) prevents passage of immune cells through the first pores. The second pores have a second average size that is larger than the first average size, and the second pores are sized to promote vascularization along the exterior wall portion.

The invention relates to hardenable ceramic bone substitute compositions having improved setting, powders for such compositions and methods for their manufacture and use in medical treatment. More specifically the invention relates to hardenable bone substitute powder and hardenable bone substitute paste with improved setting properties, comprising calcium sulfate and heat-treated hydroxyapatite (passivated HA), which bone substitute is suitable for treatment of disorders of supportive tissue such as bone loss, bone fracture, bone trauma and osteomyelitis.

According to an aspect of the present invention, surgical scaffolds for soft tissue repair are provided. The surgical scaffolds comprise a sheet of a material within which through-holes are formed. Further aspects of the invention, among others, pertain to methods of using such surgical scaffolds and to kits containing such surgical scaffolds.

This invention discloses a balloon expandable, bioabsorbable, drug-coated sinus stent, including sinus stent delivery system and stent, the sinus stent delivery system is composed of conical balloon and push shaft, the sinus stent delivery system is for delivering and expanding the fixed stents. The stent is made of biodegradable material, and its surface is coated with a biodegradable and expandable anti-inflammatory drug protective film. The shape of the stent is cylindrical; The stent is conical after expansion by the balloon. The external wall of the stent is composed of a wavy net structure.

The invention provides liquid injectable copolymers of TMC and HTMC that are degradable in vivo. Degradation can be tailored by adjusting the amount of HTMC in the copolymer, the initial molecular weight of the copolymer, and the characteristics of the initiator used in its preparation. Specifically, the degradation rate increases as the amount of HTMC incorporated into the copolymer increases, as the molecular weight of the copolymer decreases, and as the hydrophobicity of the initiator decreases. Moreover, the degradation yields products such as glycerol and carbon dioxide that are non-toxic in vivo, and which will not cause a substantive change in tissue pH upon implantation in vivo. The copolymers may be used in applications such as drug delivery and as coatings.