The present invention relates to porous composite materials and objects such as 3D scaffolds, in particular to bioactive and bioresorbable scaffolds that can be transformed at body temperature.

The present invention, in which RPE cells are suspended in a medium pharmaceutically acceptable as an ocular irrigating/washing solution and containing a poloxamer, achieves improvement of the post-thawing survival rate of cryopreserved RPE cells, improvement of the photoreceptor cell protection effect by RPE cell transplanted immediately after thawing, and prevention of loss of RPE cells in various steps from thawing to transplantation.

The present application relates to fibers having a diameter of 1 nm to 10,000 nm, of one or more biocompatible polymers, wherein the polymers have a backbone which includes a positively charged component from a zwitterionic moiety. Additionally, this application discloses an implantable therapeutic delivery system and its method of formation, comprising a housing defining a chamber, wherein said housing is porous and formed from the fibers. Inside of the housing includes a preparation of cells which release a therapeutic agent from the chamber. The implantable therapeutic delivery system can be used in the treatment of diabetes.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous scaffold for tissue engineering. It is another object of the present invention to provide a porous scaffold obtainable by the method as above described, and its use for tissue engineering, cell culture and cell delivery. The method of the invention comprises the steps consisting of: a) preparing an alkaline aqueous solution comprising an amount of at least one polysaccharide, an amount of a cross-linking agent and an amount of a porogen agent b) transforming the solution into a hydrogel by placing said solution at a temperature from about 4° C. to about 80° C. for a sufficient time to allow the cross-linking of said amount of polysaccharide and c) submerging said hydrogel into an aqueous solution d) washing the porous scaffold obtained at step c).

A biocompatible membrane composite including a cell impermeable layer and a mitigation layer is provided. The cell impermeable layer is impervious to vascular ingrowth and prevents cellular contact from the host. Additionally, the mitigation layer includes solid features. In at least one embodiment, mitigation layer has therein bonded solid features. In some embodiments, the cell impermeable layer and the mitigation layer are intimately bonded or otherwise connected to each other to form a composite layer having a tight/open structure. A reinforcing component may optionally be positioned external to or within the biocompatible membrane composite to provide support to and prevent distortion. The biocompatible membrane composite may be used in or to form a device for encapsulating biological entities, including, but not limited to, pancreatic lineage type cells such as pancreatic progenitors.

Provided herein are methods which alter the mechanical and biological properties of polymeric materials. Also provided are compositions comprising the polymeric materials having said properties.

An implantable medical device and methods for making and using the same are provided. In various embodiments, the device comprises a central hub structure in communication with at least one housing or pod capable of containing cells and therapeutic materials. Also provided are membrane structures and methods of forming the same, the membranes comprising a gradient of varying porosity for use with devices of the present disclosure, as well as other uses.

Methods of manufacturing dental prosthesis/implants each to replace a non-functional natural tooth positioned in a jawbone of a specific pre-identified patient are provided. An example method includes the steps of receiving imaging data such as x-ray image data and surface scan data of a dental anatomy and/or a physical impression of the dental anatomy of a specific preidentified patient. The steps can also include forming a three-dimensional virtual model of at least portions of a non-functional natural tooth positioned in the jawbone of the specific pre-identified patient based on the imaging and surface scan data, virtually designing a dental implant based upon the virtual model, exporting the data describing the designed dental implant to a manufacturing machine, and custom manufacturing the dental implant for the specific patient.

A cell delivery device and a method of producing a three dimensional device which is vascularized when implanted or topologically applied to human or animal body. Cell laden hydrogel (cells mixed with hydrogel) is casted or injected or 3D bioprinted in a leaf-like form, which contains removable parts (templates). After crosslinking, the templates are removed and the channel for vascularization is created. The device is ready for use in vitro or in vivo.

Collagen compositions, methods for preparing those collagen compositions, and 3D constructs formed from those collagen compositions are provided. In particular, methods of isolating collagen that exhibits an enhanced rate of gelling, such collagen compositions, and 3D constructs formed from such collagen compositions are provided.