The present invention relates to an injectable homogeneous aqueous solution of chitosan containing, in a physiologically acceptable medium, between 0.1 and 4.5% by weight of a chitosan having a degree of acetylation less than 20% and a weight average molecular mass of between 100,000 and 1,500,000 g/mol, said solution having a pH greater than or equal to 6.2, and advantageously between 6.2 and 7.2, said solution not containing any chitosan having a degree of acetylation greater than 20%, said solution being liquid and homogeneous at ambient temperature. The invention also relates to an aqueous solution such as previously described, characterised in that it can be prepared by a method comprising at least the following steps: dissolving the chitosan in water by adding acid, such as a weak acid, said weak acid being advantageously chosen from the group consisting of acetic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, glutamic acid, and the mixtures of same, and readjusting the pH by dialysis, preferably at ambient temperature, in order to obtain an aqueous solution having a pH greater than or equal to 6.2, advantageously between 6.2 and 7.2, and preferably between 6.25 and 7.1.

A method of detecting migration of tumor cells is provided by implanting in a region of tumor cells one or more implants having a matrix material of a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix material and functionalized to bind tumor cells. Nanoparticles bound to the tumor cells that have migrated out of the region can be detected by various imaging modalities. The implant can be in the shape of a brachytherapy spacer or radiotherapy fiducial maker or can be a coating on a brachytherapy spacer or fiducial marker. A method of treating cancer is provided by implanting one or more brachytherapy spacers or fiducial markers including the matrix material and an anti-cancer therapeutic agent dispersed within the matrix material.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of compositions and methods for the treatment of growth plate defects. In certain embodiments, the methods prevent the growth of bony bars at the site of growth plate injury, thereby preventing growth arrest and/or deformity. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise hydrogels comprising at least one biological factor capable of preventing bony bar formation.

An apoptosis-mimicking structure includes a polymeric core. The polymeric core includes a polymer backbone. The polymer backbone includes or is modified with a functional group to directly or indirectly bond to an eat me signaling molecule. An eat me signaling molecule is bonded directly or indirectly to the functional group. Other structures include a scaffold and the apoptosis-mimicking structure immobilized on or incorporated into the scaffold.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for targeted removal of a substance or biomolecule such as a protein from a biological fluid, such as blood. In some cases, the blood may be withdrawn from a subject, treated, and returned to the subject. Previous techniques for removal of biological materials from blood, such as hemodialysis and plasmapheresis, were generally non-specific (i.e., they removed a multitude of proteins/toxins from the blood). By contrast, novel methods and devices described herein are capable of removing specific or single substances such as proteins from biological fluids such as blood in a specific manner. Such highly specific protein removal has a broad array of clinical applications, including treatment of inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases.

Certain embodiments according to the present invention provide sleeve devices suitable for a wide range of therapeutic uses. In accordance with certain embodiments, the therapeutic sleeve device includes a nanofiber fabric assembly, which defines a plurality of pores, and at least one layer of cells embedded in the nanofiber fabric assembly.

Compositions for coating microneedles with aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines are provided comprising an aluminum-containing wet gel suspension selected from aluminum hydroxide wet gel suspension and aluminum phosphate wet gel suspension; a vaccine in an amount effective to stimulate an immune response in a mammal; a sugar, sugar alcohol, or combinations thereof; and a thickener. Some embodiments of the compositions have a viscosity of 500 to 30,000 cps when measured at 100 s.sup.1 and temperature of 25 C. Microneedle devices coated with the compositions, as well as methods of forming the compositions and coating the microneedles, and methods of maximizing the aluminum content of vaccine-coated microneedle arrays are also provided.

An intravascular stent includes cut-outs forming segmented patterns of the stent construction at the same time form the elongated lines of the main segment situated around the longitudinal stent axis and are connected via U-shaped connecting elements. This creates around the longitudinal axis of the stent a geometric pattern resembling a meander of gentle edges, and the two curves in the shape of a the letter V with rounded edges. The stent also includes an oval plate form a connecting segment to connect with the connecting elements of the elongated lines of the main segment, wherein every next main segment is a mirror reflection of the previous segment and in that the curves of the connecting element shaped like the letter V with rounded edges are a mutual mirror reflection in relation to the oval plate of the connecting segment. The stents can include a covering of various drugs.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.