Compositions for forming a silicone elastomer and the silicone elastomers thereby which have improved characteristics and which can be used for medical devices are disclosed. The composition for forming a silicone elastomer can include (A) an organopolysiloxane having silicon-bonded alkenyl groups; (B) an organohydrogensiloxane having an average of two or more silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in the molecule; (C) an inorganic filler; and (D) a filler treatment agent which includes an alkenyl-containing group, e.g., an alkenyl-containing organosilane or organosilazane.

Described are fibrous materials comprising a plurality of fibers having a longitudinal alignment gradient and/or a longitudinal composition gradient. Also described are methods of preparing the fibrous materials thereof and methods of treating organ or tissue damage with the fibrous materials.

Methods of forming antimicrobial resin compositions comprising silver nanoparticles are disclosed, wherein the resin compositions that are generated exhibit lower initial color, reduced color shift upon storage and reduced levels of spontaneous polymerization. Such methods generally comprise: combining a silver-containing material with a self-cure and dual-cure base resin in situ wherein the base resin does not contain a catalytic amine; and adding a catalytic resin to the mixture of the resin and silver-containing material in order to form the final cured resin. Antimicrobial polymeric materials formed by said methods are also disclosed.

Methods of forming antimicrobial resin compositions comprising silver nanoparticles are disclosed, wherein the resin compositions that are generated exhibit lower initial color, reduced color shift upon storage and reduced levels of spontaneous polymerization. Such methods generally comprise: combining a silver-containing material with a self-cure and dual-cure base resin in situ wherein the base resin does not contain a catalytic amine; and adding a catalytic resin to the mixture of the resin and silver-containing material in order to form the final cured resin. Antimicrobial polymeric materials formed by said methods are also disclosed.

A tissue scaffold for repair and regeneration of bone hard tissue or muscle, skin, or organ soft tissue, including load-bearing bone tissue, the scaffold comprising a core of biocompatible, biodegradable inorganic glass fibers; and a biocompatible, biodegradable, flexible polymer film surrounding the core and adhered to the core.

The present invention relates to a porous polymer material (or scaffold), and more particularly to a polymer-ceramic composite having interconnected pores and a porosity of about 50% to 90%. The scaffold is bioresorbable and exhibits advantageous mechanical properties that mimic those found in natural bone. Methods of preparing the scaffolds and using them in skeletal tissue engineering applications (e.g., as bone grafts to repair osteochondral defects and ligaments) is also described.

The present invention relates to a porous polymer material (or scaffold), and more particularly to a polymer-ceramic composite having interconnected pores and a porosity of about 50% to 90%. The scaffold is bioresorbable and exhibits advantageous mechanical properties that mimic those found in natural bone. Methods of preparing the scaffolds and using them in skeletal tissue engineering applications (e.g., as bone grafts to repair osteochondral defects and ligaments) is also described.

The present invention relates to a system for slowing, inhibiting or blocking the activity of nerves and neuronal structures, useful for research purposes and for medical use by injection or surgical implantation in patients in need thereof, for example in the treatment of pain, muscle spasms and epilepsy.

Systems and methods for preparing synthetic osteoinductive bone grafts are provided in which a porous ceramic granule, which may be incorporated within a biocompatible matrix material, is loaded with an osteoinductive agent. Loading of granules is facilitated in some cases by the use of low-pH buffers and pre-treatments.

Systems and methods for preparing synthetic osteoinductive bone grafts are provided in which a porous ceramic granule, which may be incorporated within a biocompatible matrix material, is loaded with an osteoinductive agent. Loading of granules is facilitated in some cases by the use of low-pH buffers and pre-treatments.