Biocompatible compositions, in particular for the preparation of a biodegradable coating for medical articles, include a biocompatible thickening polymer and a chitosan derivative comprising D-glucosamine units of the following formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein X is an alditolic or aldonic polyol residue of the following formula (II):

##STR00002##

wherein: R is CH.sub.2 or CO; R1 is hydrogen, a monosaccharide moiety or an oligosaccharide moiety; R2 is OH or NHCOCH.sub.3.

The present invention also relates to uses of the disclosed compositions, to a kit of parts including a composition in powder form and to a method for the preparation of a biocompatible composition in gel form.

The biodegradable coating shows a good and long-lasting adhesion to the surface of a medical article and allows to improve both the coating operations and the effectiveness in preventing any biofilm formation on the medical article.

The present invention relates to formulations for administration to a joint fat pad of a subject, and to methods of treating joint pain, inflammation or disease. The disclosed formulations are intended for local administration to the joint fat pad to provide sustained release of a therapeutic agent to the joint cavity and surrounding tissues. The joint may be an arthritic joint, an injured joint or a surgically replaced joint. The therapeutic agent may be an analgesic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent or an immunosuppressive agent. A single administration of the formulation to the joint fat pad delivers a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic agent with reduced systemic exposure relative to a single systemic or a single intra-articular administration of a therapeutic dose of an identical therapeutic agent.

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.

A process of coating a medical device surface with peptide-based nanoparticles with antimicrobial and healing properties; a process to coat a polyurethane (PU) dressing with a cross-linkable polymer adhesive in which was immobilized LL37 peptide conjugated-gold (Au) nanoparticles (LL37NPs) suitable to be applied on wounds. by following the steps of: 1) preparation of medical device surface; 2) coating the surface with a cross-linkable polymer adhesive; 3) spreading of peptide-based nanoparticles over the surface coated with the photo cross-linkable polymer adhesive; 4) exposing the surface coated with the adhesive and the nanoparticles to UV light; 5) placing the surface in phosphate buffer to leach loosely bound nanoparticles. The process described herein may be employed in the production of wound dressings, bandages, PU catheters and medical tubings.

A method of treating radiation-induced skin toxicity or skin ulcers with nanoparticles after exposure to ionizing radiation and after an onset of radiation-induced skin toxicity or a radiation-induced skin ulcer by administering intravenously a suspension including fibrinogen-coated albumin nanospheres to a patient. A concentration of the suspension being sufficient to at least one of promote healing of the skin toxicity or reduce a size of the skin ulcer. The suspension can include fibrinogen-coated albumin nanospheres, sorbitol and/or caprylate. The suspension can be utilized for treating a patient to reduce an amount of blood loss in an organ of the patient or for treating a patient to mobilize stem cells or progenitor cells to accelerate healing of a wound.

Provided herein is a wound-healing-enhancing device that comprises a body structure and a wound-healing-enhancing agent in a wound-healing-enhancing effective amount. Methods of fabricating and using the device are also provided.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides the use of microRNA (miR)-200a and/or miR-200c to inhibit ossification and bone formation. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides the use of miR-200a inhibitor to stimulate bone regeneration.

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing attachment of soft tissues to a metal prosthetic device. In one embodiment a construct is provided comprising a metal implant having a porous metal region, wherein said porous region exhibits a nano-textured surface.

Methods for treating or preventing neointima stenosis are disclosed. The methods generally involve the use of a TGFβ inhibitor, a SMAD2 inhibitor, an FGF Receptor agonist, a Let-7 agonist, or a combination thereof, to inhibit endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (Endo-MT) of vascular endothelial cells into smooth muscle cells (SMC) at sites of endothelial damage. The disclosed methods can therefore be used to prevent or inhibit neointimal stenosis or restenosis, e.g., after angioplasty, vascular graft, or stent. Also disclosed are methods for increasing the patency of biodegradable, synthetic vascular grafts using a composition that inhibits Endo-MT. A cell-free tissue engineered vascular graft (TEVG) produced by this method is also disclosed.

The present disclosure is directed to modified metal materials for implantation and/or bone replacement, and to methods for modifying surface properties of metal substrates for enhancing cellular adhesion (tissue integration) and providing antimicrobial properties. Some embodiments comprise surface coatings for metal implants, such as titanium-based materials, using (1) electrochemical processing and/or oxidation methods, and/or (2) laser processing, in order to enhance bone cell-materials interactions and achieve improved antimicrobial properties. One embodiment comprises the modification of a metal surface by growth of in situ nanotubes via anodization, followed by electrodeposition of silver on the nanotubes. Other embodiments include the use of LENS™ processing to coat a metal surface with calcium-based bioceramic composition layers. These surface treatment methods can be applied as a post-processing operation to metallic implants such as hip, knee and spinal devices as well as screws, pins and plates.