Systems and methods for imaging an object that are capable of capturing an image or images of the object using an imaging modality, automatically detecting and analyzing the image or images by way of converting the image or images to at least one binary image, and analyzing the at least one binary image to extract and/or segment regions-of-interest (ROIs) from the at least one binary image. The object can be or include an implantation, occlusion, medical device, body lumen, tissue, organ, duct, and/or vessel. The imaging modality can be or include X-ray, CT, MRI, PET, and/or ultrasound, or any combination thereof. Also included are compositions of soft, implantable materials with one or more carbon-based material, nanomaterial, and/or allotrope present in an amount sufficient as an ultrasound contrast agent effective for days, months, or years and which compositions are useful in the automated imaging methods of the invention.

A bio-ink composition comprises a plurality of bio-block, in which the bio-blocks can serve as basic building blocks in cell-based bioprinting. The bio-blocks, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the bio-blocks, methods of preparing artificial tissues, tissue progenitors, or multi-dimensional constructs, and methods of preparing the bio-blocks are also provided. The bio-blocks, and the multi-dimensional constructs, artificial tissues, and tissue progenitors comprising the bio-blocks or prepared by the methods described herein are useful for tissue engineering, in vitro research, stem cell differentiation, in vivo research, drug screening, drug discovery, tissue regeneration, and regenerative medicine.

A microneedle device for delivering therapeutic ingredients to the dermis or epidermis. The device contains biodegradable microneedles, which extend from a backing, and are sandwiched between a cap film and a film which is coextensive with the tips of the microneedles and the spaces on the backing between the microneedles.

The invention relates to the use of a polyphosphate salt as procoagulant mediator agent in medical devices or pharmaceutical compositions and the respective polyphosphate-containing medical devices and pharmaceutical compositions. The invention further relates to a method for preparing an aqueous fibroin solution by use of a microwave treatment. The invention further relates to a fibroin-containing structure produced or obtainable by the preparation method of the invention. The invention further comprises subsequent process steps leading to solidified fibroin products and to the use of said products for medical treatment.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in a subject that does not have a deficiency of ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase-1 (ENPP1) resulting in a pathological disease of calcification or ossification by administering an ENPP1 agent or an ENPP3 agent.

The present invention relates to a nanobarrier for regulating macrophage adhesion and polarization. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method of regulating macrophage adhesion and polarization using the nanobarrier. According to the nanobarrier of the present invention and the method of regulating macrophage adhesion and polarization using the same, it is possible to efficiently regulate macrophage adhesion and polarization by applying a magnetic field to the nanobarrier.

The present invention provides polypeptides comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from collagen type VI or a fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of said fragment, variant of derivative thereof, wherein the polypeptide, fragment, variant, fusion or derivative is capable of killing or attenuating the growth of microorganisms. Related aspects of the invention provide corresponding isolated nucleic acid molecules, vectors and host cells for making the same. Additionally provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention, as well as methods of use of the same in the treatment and/or prevention of microbial infections and in wound care. Also provided are a method of killing microorganisms in vitro and a medical device associated with the pharmaceutical composition.

There is provided a bioabsorbable peptide tissue occluding agent that can be applied to large mammals including humans, the peptide tissue occluding agent being obtained by artificial synthesis to avoid concerns of infection by viruses and the like. The tissue occluding agent contains a peptide, wherein the peptide is an amphiphilic peptide having 8-200 amino acid residues with the hydrophilic amino acids and hydrophobic amino acids alternately bonded, and is a self-assembling peptide exhibiting a β-structure in aqueous solution in the presence of physiological pH and/or a cation.

A method of sealing a resected surface of an organ includes applying a synthetic matrix to a resected surface of an organ, and applying an adhesive on the synthetic matrix so that the adhesive penetrates through interstices of the synthetic matrix for contacting an interface between the synthetic matrix and the resected surface of the organ. The method includes curing the adhesive for bonding the synthetic matrix to the resected surface of the organ. The synthetic matrix is a non-woven mesh made of polyglactin 910 or any other synthetic or non-synthetic fabric having a similar porosity or density. The adhesive is a biosynthetic or a synthetic adhesive. After penetrating through the pores of the synthetic matrix and curing, the cured biosynthetic or synthetic adhesive mechanically interlocks with the synthetic matrix for adhering the synthetic matrix to the tissue for creating a sealing barrier.

In some aspects, the present invention provides surgical procedures that comprise applying compositions into and/or onto tissue, including supporting tissues (e.g., ligaments, connective tissue, muscles, etc.) for pelvic organs, among other tissues. In other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to compositions that are useful for performing such procedures. In still other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to kits that are useful for performing such procedures.