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.

The present invention provides a method of tissue healing in a subject involving administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition for healing tissue. The pharmaceutical composition contains: adherent cells originating from mesenchymal tissue that has been treated with a physiologically active polypeptide or an LPS; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The invention concerns methods for the selective, topical or trans dermal delivery or removal of one or more substances to, or from, respectively, the skin or surface of a human or animal subject, via the topical or transdermal application of a porous, polymeric composition capable of releasing or sorbing (adsorbing and/or absorbing) said substances, wherein said porous polymer is a particulate material, with particles having an average diameter in the range of approximately 0.1 microns to approximately 0.5 centimeters, and having a plurality of pores with an average pore diameter in a range of approximately 50 Angstroms to approximately 40,000 Angstroms.

According to the present invention, there are provided a chamber for transplantation, including a membrane for immunoisolation including a porous membrane at at least part of a boundary between an inside and an outside of the chamber for transplantation, in which the porous membrane contains a polymer and has a layered compact portion where a pore diameter is the smallest within the membrane, a pore diameter continuously increases in a thickness direction from the compact portion toward both one surface A and the other surface B of the porous membrane, a porosity in a vicinity of the surface A is 65% or more, an average pore diameter of the surface A is larger than an average pore diameter of the surface B, and the surface B is disposed on the inside of the chamber for transplantation; and a device for transplantation including the chamber for transplantation enclosing a biological constituent therein. In the chamber for transplantation of the present invention, angiogenesis in a recipient is induced and a deterioration in substance permeability is unlikely to occur.

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.

An enhanced bone graft product includes a host matrix, a bone graft material, a scaffold, or a biological construct, and a composition including a therapeutically effective amount of protocatechuic acid. The bone graft material may be autographic, allographic, alloplastic, or xenographic. The bone graft material may include fresh bone, freeze-dried bone, or demineralized freeze-dried bone. The composition may include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, or vehicle. The composition may include protocatechuic acid at a concentration of about 10 μM to about 250 μM. The composition may further include mesenchymal stem cells, adipose tissue-derived stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, mesenchymal skeletal stem cells, synovial stem cells, bone marrow extract, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, osteocytes, or combinations thereof.

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.

A method and apparatus for thyroid hormone control using a synthetic module containing thyroid hormone and an intelligent valve control device. In embodiments, the invention consists of an iterative process with three steps. First, blood is measured to detect thyroid hormone concentration. Second, the measured concentration is compared to a target thyroid hormone concentration. Third, the intelligent valve control device optimizes thyroid hormone delivery, correcting for differences between the measured concentration and the target concentration.

Disclosed herein are delivery systems including coated and uncoated yarns, yarn precursors, threads, fibers, and other substrates for the constant or near-constant release of active compounds, as well as methods for manufacturing such delivery systems. The yarns, yarn precursors, threads, fibers, and other substrates can include a cross-linked hydrophobic elastomer and an active compound. One or more coatings that are impermeable or substantially impermeable to the active compound may partially or fully occlude the yarn or substrate to control release rates of the active compound. The delivery systems may be used in a variety of applications, including the making of articles of clothing, textiles, and fabrics, and may be used in methods of treating various conditions and diseases.

Disclosed herein is a catheter comprising an outer conduit that comprises a first polymer; an inner conduit that comprises a second polymer; a structural support intermittently disposed in a region between the outer conduit and the inner conduit; where the structural support contacts the inner conduit and the outer conduit; where the structural support comprises a first biological agent that is released to a region outside the catheter via the outer conduit. Disclosed herein too is a method of using the catheter comprising disposing a catheter into a body of a living being; releasing the first biological agent into the organ in a first direction; and releasing a second biological agent into the organ in a second direction different from the first direction.