A matrix for neuron regeneration. The matrix can include a sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface having a plurality of integrally formed ridges. The sheet can have a spiral shape, such that the first surface of the sheet faces the second surface of the sheet. The sheet and the integrally formed ridges can comprise oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate).

An orthopedic implant having a subsurface level ceramic layer generally includes a base material, an intermix layer molecularly integrated with the base material that includes a mixture of the base material and a plurality of subsurface level ceramic-based molecules implanted into the base material, and an integrated ceramic surface layer molecularly integrated with and extending from the intermix layer forming at least part of a molecular structure of an outer surface of the orthopedic implant. The integrated ceramic surface layer and the base material thereafter cooperate to sandwich the intermix layer in between.

The process for producing an orthopedic implant having an integrated ceramic surface layer includes steps for positioning the orthopedic implant inside a vacuum chamber, emitting a relatively high energy beam into the at least two different vaporized metalloid or transition metal atoms in the vacuum chamber to cause a collision therein to form ceramic molecules, and driving the ceramic molecules with the ion beam into an outer surface of the orthopedic implant at a relatively high energy such that the ceramic molecules implant therein and form at least a part of the molecular structure of the outer surface of the orthopedic implant, thereby forming the integrated ceramic surface layer.

Provided is a dual light-responsive zinc oxide, in the preparation process of zinc oxide, sodium citrate and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose are added to control the morphology, photothermal conversion materials are added to make zinc oxide have photothermal conversion ability, and lignin is added to reduce the energy band gap of zinc oxide; and the hydrothermal products after lyophilization are carbonized by microwave irradiation so as to further reduce the energy band gap. The dual light-responsive zinc oxide has a Tremella-like fold structure, has dual response to yellow light and near-infrared light, has excellent adsorbability, antibacterial property and photothermal stability, and has photothermal conversion ability. The dual light-responsive zinc oxide coating has both antibacterial and osteogenic properties, which can efficiently improve the antibacterial and osteogenic capability of implants when being applied on the surface of the implants; and its special photosensitive property helps to realize the photocontrol working and on-demand action of the antibacterial and osteogenic functions of the implant.

A bioactive scaffold is provided. The bioactive scaffold includes an interconnected web of struts composed of a glass-ceramic material, the web of struts being printed as a three-dimensional structure from a filament composition having a bimodal distribution of glass-ceramic microparticles, wherein the bioactive scaffold has a porosity defined by spaces between struts of greater than or equal to about 40% to less than or equal to about 80% and an average pore size of greater than or equal to about 200 μm to less than or equal to about 400 μm. Methods of making the bioactive scaffold and treating bone defects using the bioactive scaffolds are also provided.

The compositions of the present invention comprise at least one medium polarity oil and at least one antibacterial agent, the combination of which produces a synergistic antibacterial effect against bacterial biofilms. Methods are disclosed for the reduction of bacteria in and/or elimination of bacterial biofilms on biological and non-biological surfaces, as well as methods for the treatment of wounds, skin lesions, mucous membrane lesions, and other biological surfaces infected or contaminated with bacterial biofilms.

Nitric oxide-releasing materials, methods of making nitric oxide-releasing materials, and uses of nitric oxide-releasing materials are provided. The nitric oxide-releasing materials include a mesoporous silica core and an outer surface having a plurality of nitric oxide donors. In an exemplary aspects, the nitric oxide-releasing material includes a mesoporous diatomaceous earth core, and an outer surface having a plurality of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine groups covalently attached thereto. Uses of the nitric oxide-releasing materials can include coatings for medical devices such as catheters, grafts, and stents; wound gauzes; acne medications; and antiseptic mouthwashes; among others.

The present invention provides an artificial bionic blood vessel and a manufacturing method thereof. The artificial bionic blood vessel includes a three-layer-structured artificial bionic blood vessel body, where the three-layer structure of the artificial bionic blood vessel consists of a natural silk layer, a diluted liquid silica-gel layer and a weaved tube layer, the diluted liquid silica-gel layer is located on the inner side of the natural silk layer, the weaved tube layer is located on the outer side of the natural silk layer, and the weaved tube layer is made of catgut by weaving.

A method of modifying a surface of a medical device for implantation or disposition inside a patient is described. The medical device comprises a structure having at least one surface. The method includes the steps of: placing the medical device into a plasma chamber substantially free from contaminants and substantially sealing the plasma chamber from the atmosphere; removing at least an outermost layer of any oxide layer from the at least one surface of the structure by a plasma oxide-removal process, whilst maintaining the plasma chamber under seal from the atmosphere; and subsequently forming a new oxide layer at the least one surface of the structure by introducing at least one gas into the plasma chamber, whilst maintaining the plasma chamber under seal from the atmosphere. A medical device including a bulk material and an oxide layer disposed over at least one surface of the medical device. The oxide layer is substantially pure and free from contaminants.

A method for processing a biomedical material using a supercritical fluid includes introducing the supercritical fluid into a cavity. The supercritical fluid is doped with a hydrogen isotope-labeled compound, an organic metal compound, an element selecting from a halogen element, oxygen, sulfur, selenium, phosphorus or arsenic, or a compound containing the element. The biomedical material in the cavity is modified by the supercritical fluid at a temperature above a critical temperature of the supercritical fluid and a pressure above a critical pressure of the supercritical fluid.