The growth factor profile, connective tissue matrix constituents, and immunoprivileged status of urodele extracellular matrix (ECM) and accompanying cutaneous tissue, plus the presence of antimicrobial peptides there, render urodele-derived tissue an ideal source for biological scaffolds for xenotransplantation. In particular, a biological scaffold biomaterial can be obtained by a process that entails (A) obtaining a tissue sample from a urodele, where the tissue comprises ECM, inclusive of the basement membrane, and (B) subjecting the tissue sample to a decellularization process that maintains the structural and functional integrity of the extracellular matrix, by virtue of retaining its fibrous and on-fibrous proteins, glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans, while removing sufficient cellular components of the sample to reduce or eliminate antigenicity and immunogenicity for xenograft purposes. The resultant urodele-derived biomaterial can be used to enhance restoration of skin homeostasis, to reduce the severity, durations and associated damage caused by post-surgical inflammation, and to promote progression of natural healing and regeneration processes. In addition, the biomaterial promotes the formation of remodeled tissue that is comparable in quality, function, and compliance to undamaged human tissue.

Disclosed are new classes of diphenol compounds, derived from tyrosol or tyrosol analogues, which are useful as monomers for preparation of biocompatible polymers. Also disclosed are biocompatible polymers prepared from these monomeric diphenol compounds, including novel biodegradable and/or bioresorbable polymers of formula ##STR00001## These biocompatible polymers or polymer compositions with enhanced bioresorbabilty and processibility are useful in a variety of medical applications, such as in medical devices and controlled-release therapeutic compositions. The invention also provides methods for preparing these monomeric diphenol compounds and biocompatible polymers.

Luminal grafts and methods of making and using the same. An exemplary luminal graft of the present disclosure is configured as a generally tubular element configured for nerve cells to grow therethrough and comprises at least one sheet of biological tissue having elastin fibers and collagen fibers, with the elastin fibers being a dominant component thereof; and a plurality of microchannels formed on a surface of the at least one sheet of biological tissue, each of the microchannels extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end of the at least one sheet of biological tissue and configured to provide intraluminal structural guidance to nerve cells proliferating therethrough.

This disclosure describes, inter alia, materials, devices, kits and methods that may be used to treat chronic sinusitis.

The present invention relates to nanoparticles comprising nucleic acids coated with a (biodegradable) polymer for reversible immobilization and/or controlled release of the nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to medical or diagnostic devices, particularly stents and implants coated by a (biodegradable) polymer with the nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles for reversible immobilization and/or controlled release. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to the use of these nanoparticles coated with a (biodegradable) polymer and to the use of medical devices and implants coated by the (biodegradable) polymer with these nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of diseases, particularly in the prevention or treatment of restenosis, calicification, foreign body reaction, or inflammation. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a method of preparing these nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles coated with a (biodegradable) polymer and to a method for coating nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles by a (biodegradable) polymer on medical or diagnostic devices.

Devices, systems, and methods are provided including a structure having one or more surfaces configured for internal use within a patient's body and one or more therapeutic compositions comprising one or more active substances including a direct factor Xa inhibitor, and a direct factor IIa inhibitor disposed in or on the structure. The structure is configured to be positioned adjacent an injury site in the patient's body. The one or more active substances optionally include an anti-proliferative agent. The therapeutic composition is formulated to release the one or more active substances to the injury site to provide one or more of inhibit clot formation, promote clot dissolution, inhibit or dissolute inflammation, inhibit vessel injury, increase time before clotting, and/or inhibit cell proliferation.

The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot useful for reducing, preventing or treating post-operative pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable drug depot comprising a therapeutically effective amount of clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a polymer; wherein the depot is implantable at a site beneath the skin to reduce, prevent or treat post-operative pain, and the depot is capable of releasing (i) about 5% to about 45% of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof relative to a total amount of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof loaded in the drug depot over a first period of up to 48 hours and (ii) about 55% to about 95% of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof relative to a total amount of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof loaded in the drug depot over a subsequent period of at least 3 days.

Provided herein are chitosan-containing formulations, methods of making such formulations, and methods of using such formulations. Chitosan contemplated for use herein is preferably of high quality and its source is preferably of crustacean origin. The formulations contemplated herein are aqueous, either liquid- or viscous-like, varying in concentration and type of chitosan and acid used, and may include other components. Their uses are diverse, for oral/dental administration or topical/surface application to subjects (e.g. humans or animals) in need thereof or even food commodities, aiming to maintain a good condition where it is applied or contributing to health enhancement, healing, disease prevention or treatment. The present invention also relates to concentrated solutions that may be used for the formulation of other products.

Drug-eluting devices and methods for the treatment of tumors of the pancreas, biliary system, gallbladder, liver, small bowel, or colon, are provided. Methods include deploying a drug-eluting device having a film which includes a mixture of a degradable polymer and a chemotherapeutic drug, wherein the film has a thickness from about 2 μm to about 1000 μm, into a tissue site and releasing a therapeutically effective amount of the chemotherapeutic drug from the film to treat the tumor, wherein the release of the therapeutically effective amount of the drug from the film is controlled by in vivo degradation of the polymer at the tissue site.

Disclosed are liquid cast biodegradable arterial stents and methods for preparing liquid cast biodegradable arterial stents. The typically includes a biodegradable polymer and may include an agent for treating neointimal hyperplasia.