The invention provides a method to prepare a graft comprising a recellularized extracellular matrix of a mammalian liver, liver lobe or portion thereof, and a method of using the recellularized extracellular matrix of a mammalian liver, liver lobe or portion thereof.

A sealing material suitable for a medical implant. The material includes a composite structure of a first component, a second component and a third component. The first component includes at least one biologically inert polymer. The second component includes a hydrogel, which swells up after contact with an aqueous solution by a first volume increase within a first time period. The third component includes a hygroscopic matrix, which swells up after contact with an aqueous solution by a second volume increase within a second time period. The second time period is shorter than the first time period.

A sealing material suitable for a medical implant. The material includes a composite structure of a first component, a second component and a third component. The first component includes at least one biologically inert polymer. The second component includes a hydrogel, which swells up after contact with an aqueous solution by a first volume increase within a first time period. The third component includes a hygroscopic matrix, which swells up after contact with an aqueous solution by a second volume increase within a second time period. The second time period is shorter than the first time period.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula I Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, and Formula Id and salts, hydrates and isomers thereof. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of promoting bone formation in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I, Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, or Formula Id. The present invention also provides orthopedic and periodontal devices, as well as methods for the treatment of renal disease, diabetes bone loss, and cancer, using a compound of Formula I, Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, or Formula Id. ##STR00001##

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula I Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, and Formula Id and salts, hydrates and isomers thereof. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of promoting bone formation in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I, Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, or Formula Id. The present invention also provides orthopedic and periodontal devices, as well as methods for the treatment of renal disease, diabetes bone loss, and cancer, using a compound of Formula I, Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, or Formula Id. ##STR00001##

[Object] Provided is a method of producing a nerve fascicle including efficiently extending axons of neural cells.

[Solution] Neural cells are cultivated in the presence of feeder cells including at least one type of cells selected from the group consisting of vascular component cells, perivascular cells, and oligodendrocytes.

An implantable medical device, such as an intervertebral spacer, may comprise a polymeric component and a metallic component. The metallic component can contain both porous metal and substantially-solid metal. The polymeric material can contain particles of an osseointegrative material. The metallic component can be more protruding toward bone than the polymeric component while having a smaller dimension of roughness than the polymeric component. In embodiments, the pin may press-fit against substantially solid metal. The porous metal may surround solid metal which in turn may surround the pin. The pin may have a press-fit with metal and a looser fit with polymeric component, if the metal components and polymeric components are trapped. A pin may connect superior and inferior metal components by a press-fit. The central opening may be exposed to porous metal and also to substantially-solid metal and to polymer. Specific geometries of implants are disclosed.

An implantable medical device, such as an intervertebral spacer, may comprise a polymeric component and a metallic component. The metallic component can contain both porous metal and substantially-solid metal. The polymeric material can contain particles of an osseointegrative material. The metallic component can be more protruding toward bone than the polymeric component while having a smaller dimension of roughness than the polymeric component. In embodiments, the pin may press-fit against substantially solid metal. The porous metal may surround solid metal which in turn may surround the pin. The pin may have a press-fit with metal and a looser fit with polymeric component, if the metal components and polymeric components are trapped. A pin may connect superior and inferior metal components by a press-fit. The central opening may be exposed to porous metal and also to substantially-solid metal and to polymer. Specific geometries of implants are disclosed.

The present invention disclosed a process to coat the surface of flexible polymeric implant with biocompatible polymer such that the coating does not crack when the implant is subjected to mechanical forces such as tension, torsion or bending while retaining the inherent properties of the coated polymer.

The present invention disclosed a process to coat the surface of flexible polymeric implant with biocompatible polymer such that the coating does not crack when the implant is subjected to mechanical forces such as tension, torsion or bending while retaining the inherent properties of the coated polymer.