Disclosed are a self-switching transmission assembly, a balloon, and a prosthesis for use in a shoulder joint. The self-switching transmission assembly comprises: a communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″) comprising an input end (111, 111′, 111″) and an output end (112, 112′, 112″); an external connection tube (12, 12′, 12″), an end portion thereof being insertable into the communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″) from the input end (111, 111′, 111″) and removable from the communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″) from the input end (111, 111′, 111″); and a sealing tube (13, 13′, 13″), which can be placed in a tube body of the communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″) and moved axially relative to the tube body of the communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″). The sealing tube (13, 13′, 13″) comprises a connection end (131, 131′, 131″) and a sealing end (132, 132′, 132″), the connection end (131, 131′, 131″) being detachably connected to the end portion of the external connection tube (12, 12′, 12″) by means of a connection driving mechanism, and the sealing end (132, 132′, 132″) being provided with a pass-through region, wherein, when the pass-through region is exposed outside of the output end (112, 112′, 112″), the self-switching transmission assembly is in a pass-through state, and when the pass-through region is placed inside the tube body of the communicating tube (11, 11′, 11″), the self-switching transmission assembly is in a sealed and blocked state.

Multifunctional crosslinkers are a reaction product between a polyaziridine compound and two or more functionalized benzophenones. The polyaziridine compound is linked to the functionalized benzophenones through two or more reacted aziridine groups. Coating compositions, comprising: a polymer, and multifunctional crosslinkers. Coated medical devices, comprise a lubricious coating bonded adjacent to an exterior surface of the medical device. The lubricious coating is prepared by UV-curing a coating composition, wherein the coating composition comprises: a water/isopropyl alcohol (IPA) soluble polymer and/or a UV-curable polymer, and a water/IPA soluble multifunctional crosslinker.

System for gas treatment of cellular implants. The system enhances the viability and function of cellular implants, particularly those with high cellular density, for use in human or veterinary medicine. The system utilizes a miniaturized electrochemical gas generator subsystem that continuously supplies oxygen and/or hydrogen to cells within an implantable and immunoisolated cell containment subsystem to facilitate cell viability and function at high cellular density while minimizing overall implant size. The cell containment subsystem is equipped with features to allow gas delivery through porous tubing or gas-only permeable internal gas compartments within the implantable cell containment subsystem. Furthermore, the gas generator subsystem includes components that allow access to water for electrolysis while implanted, thereby promoting long-term implantability of the gas generator subsystem. An application of the system is a pancreatic islet (or pancreatic islet analogue) implant for treatment of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) that would be considered a bio-artificial pancreas.

The present invention discloses a prosthetic device for reconstruction of sternum, ribs, and clavicles, comprising a manubrium plate attached to a sternum plate by means of a joining plate. The manubrium plate has spherical ends coupled to the clavicle plate by screwing into a cup lock. The manubrium plate has extensions with holes, on which rib plates are seated. Similarly, the sternum plate has extensions with holes, on which rib plates are seated.

A method is described for the production of hybrid structures formed by the coupling of nanofibrous parts and microfibrous parts made with silk fibroin, possibly hierarchically organized into complex structures comprising more than two of said parts; these hybrid structures are used as implantable biomedical devices with tailored biological, geometrical and structural features, such that they can be adapted to different application requirements in the field of regenerative medicine.

A method is described for the production of hybrid structures formed by the coupling of nanofibrous parts and microfibrous parts made with silk fibroin, possibly hierarchically organized into complex structures comprising more than two of said parts; these hybrid structures are used as implantable biomedical devices with tailored biological, geometrical and structural features, such that they can be adapted to different application requirements in the field of regenerative medicine.

Implantable drug-eluting device (1) comprising a microporous structure (2) having regularly arranged pores (4, 5) in at least two different uniform sizes, and manufacturing method. The pores are configured for receiving a drug (9) and are being connected by interconnections (6, 7). Interconnections (6) originating from pores (4) of a first size have a first elution area and interconnections (7) originating from pores (5) of a second size have a second elution area. The interconnections convey the drug (9) to a surface of the device for elution to surrounding tissue. The ratio between the first and the second elution areas is predefined and selectable. The differently sized elution areas provide for different outflow rates. This allows for simple but reliable dispensing of drugs at positively controlled and well determined rates. Particularly, this enables a single implantable device to dispense drugs over preselectable durations of time, like short-term or long-term.

Methods, devices and materials are for in situ formation of an implant for treating a nerve. A treatment site is positioned within a cavity defined by a form. The form may facilitate placement of a nerve stimulating device adjacent to the nerve to facilitate nerve regeneration. An in situ forming gel may be delivered in the form to surround the nerve. Access to the nerve treatment site may be open surgical or percutaneous.

Porous implantable devices for housing one or more therapeutic agents are disclosed herein. The implantable devices include a porous outer wall defining an interia or void. The interior void houses a carrier material carrying a first therapeutic agent. The implantable devices are made by patterning at least a portion of a polymerizable substrate into a polymerized three-dimensional porous outer wall surrounding an interior void. This can be achieved by two-photon polymerization techniques. A first therapeutic agent is then added to the interior void, which is then sealed. Methods of treating diseases using the implantable devices are disclosed herein. The methods include implanting the implantable device at a target area and locally releasing a therapeutically effective dosage of a first therapeutic agent from the interior void. The implantable devices can also be used in methods of screening potentially therapeutic agents for desired biological responses.

Compositions and methods for generating insulin-producing beta cells from pluripotent stem cells are provided. The compositions and methods of the present invention involve stepwise differentiation while the differentiating cells are cultured on a lung tissue-derived acellular scaffold.