Methods and apparatus for a free-standing biodegradable patch suitable for medical applications, especially intravascular, minimally-invasive and intraoperative surgical applications are provided, wherein the patch comprises a free-standing film or device having a mixture of a solid fibrinogen component and a solid thrombin component that, when exposed to an aqueous environment, undergoes polymerization to form fibrin. In alternative embodiments the patch may comprise a solid fibrinogen component, with or without an inorganic calcium salt component. The patch may take a non-adherent form during delivery to a target location within a vessel or tissue, and thereafter may be activated to adhere to vessel wall or tissue, and may include a number of additives, including materials to improve the mechanical properties of the patch, or one or more therapeutic or contrast agents.

Apparatus and methods for sealing a puncture communicating with a blood vessel are provided that include introducing a porous carrier formed from lyophilized hydrogel or other material into the puncture. The plug may include at least one of first and second hydrogel precursors and a pH adjusting agent carried by the porous carrier in an unreactive state prior to exposure to an aqueous physiological environment. Once exposed to bodily fluids, the carrier expands as the lyophilized material hydrates to enhance and facilitate rapid hemostasis of the puncture. When the plug is placed into the puncture, the natural wetting of the plug by bodily fluids (e.g., blood) causes the first and second precursors to react and cross-link into an adhesive or sticky hydrogel that aids in retaining the plug in place within the puncture.

Methods and apparatus for a biodegradable multi-layer device suitable for medical applications are provided, wherein the device is formed from multiple film-layers configured to have different characteristics from one another such as different release profiles for therapeutic agents, adhesive properties, stiffness properties, and solubility properties. The film-layers may include a solid fibrinogen component. A device having multiple film-layers may take a non-adherent form during delivery to a target location within or on tissue, and thereafter may be exposed to moisture to take an adherent form on the tissue. The device may include a number of additives, including materials to improve the mechanical properties of the device, or one or more therapeutic or contrast agents.

An implantable medical device for implantation in a mammal joint having at least two contacting surfaces is provided. The medical device comprises; an artificial contacting surface adapted to replace at least the surface of at least one of the mammal's joint contacting surfaces, wherein the artificial contacting surface is adapted to be lubricated, when implanted in said joint. Furthermore the medical device comprises at least one inlet adapted to receive a lubricating fluid from a reservoir, at least one channel at least partly integrated in the artificial contacting surface in connection with the at least one inlet for distributing the lubricating fluid to the surface of the artificial contacting surface. The medical device could be adapted to be operable by an operation device to receive the distributed lubricated fluid from a reservoir.

Embodiments herein relate to active agent depots formed in situ and related methods. In various embodiments, a method of forming an active agent depot in situ is included. The method can include contacting a composition with a vessel wall, wherein the composition includes an active agent and a fibrin promoting vessel wall transfer agent wherein the ratio of active agent to fibrin promoting vessel wall transfer agent (wt./wt.) is at least 5:1. The method also includes transferring the composition from a device surface to the vessel wall surface. The method also includes forming a fibrin matrix around the composition. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Compositions that include fibrin microthreads are provided. The compositions can include one or more therapeutic agents including cytokines and interleukins, extracellular matrix proteins and/or biologically active fragments thereof (e.g., RGD-containing peptides), hormones, vitamins, nucleic acids, chemotherapeutics, antibiotics, and cells. Also provided are methods of making compositions that include fibrin microthreads. Also provided are methods for using the compositions to repair or ameliorate damaged or defective organs or tissues.

The present invention relates to extravascular supports. In particular, to extravascular supports which are used in vein grafting. More in particular, it relates to extravascular supports which are biodegradable.

Methods and apparatus for a free-standing biodegradable patch suitable for medical applications, especially intravascular, minimally-invasive and intraoperative surgical applications are provided, wherein the patch comprises a free-standing film or device having a mixture of a solid fibrinogen component and a solid thrombin component that, when exposed to an aqueous environment, undergoes polymerization to form fibrin. In alternative embodiments the patch may comprise a solid fibrinogen component, with or without an inorganic calcium salt component. The patch may take a non-adherent form during delivery to a target location within a vessel or tissue, and thereafter may be activated to adhere to vessel wall or tissue, and may include a number of additives, including materials to improve the mechanical properties of the patch, or one or more therapeutic or contrast agents.

A medical device includes fibroin and a polyphosphate salt including a polyphosphate and a salt counter ion. The fibroin is derived from Lepidoptera and the medical device is selected from spun or knitted fibers, non-woven, woven, sponge, foam, membrane, film, 3D scaffold, particles, and powders.

A method for connecting an X-ray marker to a medical implant includes providing a medical implant having an opening for receiving the X-ray marker. An X-ray marker is provided. The X-ray marker is glued into the opening with a liquid adhesive that includes at least one first component including a fibrinogen.