An object is to produce a collagen vitrigel, which has a high film strength even without performing a crosslinking treatment, and is easily produced and processed industrially and mechanically, and is also easy to handle and is highly safe, from collagen, and a purified product thereof. In order to achieve the object, it is directed to a method for producing a collagen vitrigel characterized by gelling collagen with a gelling agent containing an inorganic carbonate and a compound selected from the group consisting of an inorganic chloride and an inorganic phosphate, subsequently vitrifying the obtained collagen gel, and further subjecting the vitrified collagen gel to a hydration treatment; a method for producing a purified collagen vitrigel characterized by desalting, equilibrating, and further drying the collagen vitrigel; and a collagen vitrigel and a purified collagen vitrigel obtained by these methods.

A highly safe and inexpensive bone repair material that stably exhibits high antibacterial activity for a long time in a living body by supporting a large amount of an iodine ion and is excellent in apatite forming ability and preservability. The material includes a substrate made of titanium or titanium alloy and a titanate film on a surface of the substrate, the film composed of a large number of crystalline masses having a crystal structure and containing a calcium ion and an iodine ion, wherein the mass contains layers having a TiO skeleton and the calcium and the iodine ions adsorbed between the layers.

An artificial cornea and an associated manufacturing method are disclosed. The artificial cornea has two sides, each of which has an associated microstructure. In an embodiment, microlines can be provided on an anterior side, and a posterior side can have micropores. Both the geometry of the microstructures and their dimensions can be customized for an individual patient. The geometry of the artificial cornea itself and its dimensions can also be customized as such. In addition, the lifetime of the artificial cornea can be significantly enhanced by adding co-polymer(s) into the hydrogel to strengthen its mechanical properties. Patient recovery can be aided by adding peptides into the artificial cornea surfaces to improve cell growth post-operation.

A composition including long-term storable plasma-activated liquid (liquid plasma) as an active ingredient is disclosed. The long-term storable, atmospheric-pressure, plasma-activated liquid is prepared by dissolving a plasma generated using a low-temperature microplasma jet in a solution. The plasma-activated liquid not only exhibits a cancer cell killing effect at a level similar to gas-phase plasma according to a conventional art, but also maintains the cancer cell killing effect even when the plasma-activated liquid is stored in a freezer or in a cold chamber for 6 months, and thus is suitable for long-term storage. The plasma-activated liquid may be effectively used in the biopharmaceutical field, for example for a skin regeneration, wound-healing of dermal cells, and/or treating a cancer.

A chemically strengthened bioactive glass-ceramic composition as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the disclosed compositions.

A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

A material or biomaterial comprising silicic acid condensates having a low degree of cross-linking, and methods for its production are subject-matter of the invention. A method for the production of silicic acid structures having a low degree of cross-linking is disclosed, wherein a sol is produced, wherein further condensation is prevented when specific cross-linking of the silicic acid is reached, wherein, preferably, structures having a size of 0.5-1000 nm are produced, e.g. polyhedral structures or aggregates of the same. Further condensation can be prevented by means of mixing with a polymer. In one embodiment, this comprises nano-structured, silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) having a low degree of cross-linking that is embedded in a polymer matrix. The material can be used in medicine for therapeutic purposes, and can enter into direct contact with biological tissue of the body in this connection. This material herein enters into chemical, physical, and biological interactions with the corresponding biological systems. It can herein be decomposed, and can act as a supplier for the silicic acid required for metabolism. Furthermore, it can have a supportive or shielding effect. It can be present as a granulate, microparticles, fiber, and as a woven or nonwoven fabric produced therefrom, or as a layer on implants or wound dressings. The material can be used as a medical device or as a nutritional supplement.

Provided are methods for preparing non-gelling, solubilized extracellular matrix (ECM) materials useful as cell growth substrates. Also provided are compositions prepared according to the methods as well as uses for the compositions. In one embodiment a device, such as a prosthesis, is provided which comprises an inorganic matrix into which the non-gelling, solubilized ECM composition is dispersed to facilitate in-growth of cells into the ECM and thus adaptation and/or attachment of the device to a patient. In another embodiment, the composition is delivered intraarticularly, intrathecally, intraoccularly, intracranially, and into pleural space.

A comfortable insert comprises a retention structure sized for placement under the eyelids and along at least a portion of conjunctival sac of the upper and lower lids of the eye. The retention structure resists deflection when placed in the conjunctival sac of the eye and to guide the insert along the sac when the eye moves. The retention structure can be configured in many ways to provide the resistance to deflection and may comprise a hoop strength so as to urge the retention structure outward and inhibit movement of the retention structure toward the cornea. The insert may move rotationally with deflection along the conjunctival sac, and may comprise a retention structure having a cross sectional dimension sized to fit within folds of the conjunctiva. The insert may comprise a release mechanism and therapeutic agent to release therapeutic amounts of the therapeutic agent for an extended time.