The invention provides a non-particulate cross-linked poly--lysine polymer. The poly--lysine and cross linker are linked by amide bonds and may the cross linker has at least two functional groups capable of reacting with an alpha carbon amine of poly--lysine. The polymer is suitably insoluble in water and other solvents and is provided in macro form for example a sheet, article or fiber. The macro form polymer is useful in a wide range of applications including wound treatment, as a medical diagnostic comprising a particulate support and a functional material bound or retained by the support and solid phase synthesis of peptides, oligonucleotides, oligosaccharides, immobilisation of species, cell culturing and in chromatographic separation.

A method for obtaining epithelial organoids is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises culturing one or more epithelial ducts, epithelial duct fragments and/or epithelial stem cells isolated therefrom in contact with an extracellular matrix in the presence of a basal medium, wherein the medium is free of FGF and/or nicotinamide. Organoids obtained by the methods described herein, and uses thereof, are also provided.

A conical shaped venous valve structure with a plurality of fluid flow modulating means that open and allow antegrade blood to be transmitted out of the valve structure and into and through an associated cardiovascular vessel when the valve structure is disposed in the cardiovascular vessel and the antegrade blood exhibits a positive pressure relative to the exterior pressure.

The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for treating tissue ulcers. The apparatuses include elafin protein incorporated into a biocompatible matrix that allows controlled release of the elafin protein to the wound. The biocompatible matrix may be made of biological polymers such as collagen.

Disclosed herein are cohesive soft tissue fillers, for example, dermal and subdermal fillers, based on hyaluronic acids and optionally including proteins. In one aspect, hyaluronic acid-based compositions described herein include zero-length cross-linked moieties and optionally at least one active agent. The present hyaluronic acid-based compositions have enhanced flow characteristics, hardness, and persistence compared to known hyaluronic acid-based compositions. Methods and processes of preparing such hyaluronic acid-based compositions are also provided.

The invention provides a non-particulate cross-linked poly--lysine polymer. The poly--lysine and cross linker are linked by amide bonds and may the cross linker has at least two functional groups capable of reacting with an alpha carbon amine of poly--lysine. The polymer is suitably insoluble in water and other solvents and is provided in macro form for example a sheet, article or fibre. The macro form polymer is useful in a wide range of applications including wound treatment, as a medical diagnostic comprising a particulate support and a functional material bound or retained by the support and solid phase synthesis of peptides, oligonucleotides, oligosaccharides, immobilisation of species, cell culturing and in chromatographic separation.

A sheet structure formed from an extracellular matrix (ECM) composition that includes acellular ECM derived from small intestine submucosa (SIS) tissue, gentamicin and vancomycin. The sheet structure is configured to modulate inflammation of damaged biological tissue and induce cell and tissue proliferation, bioremodeling of the damaged biological tissue, and regeneration of new tissue and tissue structures with site-specific structural and functional properties, when the tissue structure is delivered to the damaged biological tissue.

Devices and methods for treating a vascular disease in a subject are disclosed that involve acute administration of a statin locally to a diseased segment of a blood vessel in the subject.

The disclosed invention provides a system and method of artificially retarding fibrin-based blood clot degradation via the sustained release of a protease inhibitor, such as, for example, aprotinin or tranexamic acid (TA). The sustained release of the protease inhibitor is accomplished through incorporation within a biodegradable polymer microsphere to produce a protease inhibitor formulation. Next, the formulation along with fibrinogen and thrombin is applied to a wound site where an outer surface of the polymer microsphere degrades in a proteolytic environment to expose and release the incorporated protease inhibitor to the surrounding hydrogel or sealant or clot matrix at the wound site.

Methods and devices are provided for promoting wound healing. In general, surgical staplers and staple components are provided having an effective amount of at least matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor being effective to prevent MMP-mediated extracellular matrix degeneration during wound healing in tissue.