In vitro and in vivo application of sub-atmospheric, negative pressure on growth factor starting material, such as whole blood, extracts growth factors from the platelet granules of the growth factor starting material in a non-destructive medium without activating the clotting process. The extracted growth factors are released into a growth factor composition containing blood plasma, extracellular fluid or interstitial fluid depending upon the type and location of the growth factor starting material. The growth factors have a weight of about 70-76 kDaltons and are applied in either a filtered or unfiltered state topically to the area of a surface wound to effect healing. The extracted growth factors are also injected into soft tissue, such as a torn tendon, to promote tissue growth and healing. The growth factors are released in one method from a patient's own blood. In another method the growth factors are released from a whole blood source and freeze dried by lyophilization. Then at a later date, the freeze-dried product is reconstituted by normal saline for treatment of a patient's wound, for use in a surgical procedure, or for tissue regeneration.

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 In some cases, the blood may be withdrawn from a subject, treated, and returned to the subject.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Disclosed herein are elastic, bioresorbable encasements for medical implants, methods for making the same and uses thereof.

The invention provides articles of manufacture comprising biocompatible nanostructures comprising nanotubes and nanopores for, e.g., organ, tissue and/or cell growth, e.g., for bone, kidney or liver growth, and uses thereof, e.g., for in vitro testing, in vivo implants, including their use in making and using artificial organs, and related therapeutics. The invention provides lock-in nanostructures comprising a plurality of nanopores or nanotubes, wherein the nanopore or nanotube entrance has a smaller diameter or size than the rest (the interior) of the nanopore or nanotube. The invention also provides dual structured biomaterial comprising micro- or macro-pores and nanopores. The invention provides biomaterials having a surface comprising a plurality of enlarged diameter nanopores and/or nanotubes.

Provided herein are drug delivery devices, comprising a scaffold comprising one or more biocompatible materials, one or more chambers containing a plurality of cells, one or more membranes, and one or more nutrient supplementation systems. Also provided are methods of treating or preventing diseases and disorders in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject the drug delivery devices disclosed herein, and methods of making the drug delivery devices disclosed herein.