A method of detecting the presence or absence of a sealant applied to a textile graft includes the steps of: providing a textile graft having a first surface and an opposed second surface; providing a water soluble masking agent; applying the water soluble masking agent to at least a portion of the first surface of the textile graft; providing a sealant solution; providing a visual indicator; applying the water insoluble sealing agent and the visual indicator to the second surface of the textile graft; and removing the water soluble masking agent after the step of applying sealing solution. The second surface has visual indication of the visual indicator and the first surface is substantially free of visual indication of the visual indicator. An implantable textile graft includes the selectively applied visual indicator.

An electrode sensor kit for establishing electrical contact with skin comprises at least one contact element and a preparation comprising a mixture of water and at least one lipid for enhancing electrical contact properties between said contact element and the skin, wherein said mixture forms an emulsion, in particular a water-in-oil or an oil-in-water emulsion, having a conductivity of less than 3 mS/cm. An electrode assembly for electrical impedance tomography which comprises said kit is characterized in that (a) said at least one contact element forms an electrode or sensor plate, and (b) said at least one contact element comprises a layer of said preparation.

An electrode sensor kit for establishing electrical contact with skin comprises at least one contact element and a preparation comprising a mixture of water and at least one lipid for enhancing electrical contact properties between said contact element and the skin, wherein said mixture forms an emulsion, in particular a water-in-oil or an oil-in-water emulsion, having a conductivity of less than 3 mS/cm. An electrode assembly for electrical impedance tomography which comprises said kit is characterized in that (a) said at least one contact element forms an electrode or sensor plate, and (b) said at least one contact element comprises a layer of said preparation.

A method of manufacturing a therapeutic material incorporating a soft thermoformable elastomer with a phase change material exhibiting high latent heat of fusion. The compound provides elasticity, softness, formability, and heat over an extended duration and to facilitate prolonged skin contact at elevated temperatures. Used in combination with active ingredients the increased temperature and formability provides enhanced transdermal delivery through the skin. Thermoplastic elastomers may be manufactured by mixing together plasticizing oil, a triblock copolymer, a paraffinic substance and one or more additives, e.g., an antioxidant, an antimicrobial agent, and/or other additives to form a mixture which melted then cooled into the thermoplastic elastomer. During cooling, the thermoplastic elastomer may be molded or otherwise formed into any number of articles including, but not limited to, prosthetic liners, prosthetic sleeves, external breast prostheses, breast enhancement bladders, masks, wound dressing sheets, wound dressing pads, socks, gloves, malleolus pads, metatarsal pads, shoe insoles, urinary catheters, vascular catheters, and balloons for medical catheters both vascular as well as urinary. Active ingredients are preferably added to the cooling thermoplastic elastomer when the temperature is below 100° F. to prevent heat degradation and/or breakdown of vital proteins.

The invention describes method for delivering and positioning radio-isotopes. The method uses encapsulating free flowing medicament into a leak proof vehicle and positioning the vehicle into the body. Also provided is a system for delivering and positioning radio-isotopes into the body, the system comprising fluid radio-isotope encapsulated in a leak proof material and/or absorbable material.

The invention describes method for delivering and positioning radio-isotopes. The method uses encapsulating free flowing medicament into a leak proof vehicle and positioning the vehicle into the body. Also provided is a system for delivering and positioning radio-isotopes into the body, the system comprising fluid radio-isotope encapsulated in a leak proof material and/or absorbable material.

Aspects disclosed herein include a composite material comprising: one or more shape memory polymers; and a first additive provided in the shape memory polymer(s); wherein: the first additive increases one or more ultrasound-absorption characteristics of the composite material compared to that of the same shape memory polymer(s) free of said first additive; the composite material is characterized by a composite transition temperature (T.sub.cm,trans); and the composite material or one or more portions thereof undergo a shape change from a temporary shape to a permanent shape when the composite material or said one or more portions thereof are heated to within 35° C. of T.sub.cm,trans or a temperature approximately equal to or greater than T.sub.cm,trans.

Described herein is a three-dimensional platform delivery technology including a polymeric material.

The present invention is directed to compositions containing polymer matrix, fiber and/or additives which are suitable for load bearing applications for medical devices. The matrix can be formed from a group of polymers which resorb inside the body after implantation. These compositions contain reinforcing fibers that are incorporated into a resorbable polymer matrix to improve properties such as mechanical. The reinforcing fibers can be resorbable, non-resorbable, natural, or metallic. Additives can be incorporated into the matrix material or the fibers or both to provide a secondary effect. These additives can be bioceramics to provide an osteoconductive effect; antimicrobial particles such as silver; coloring agents, and radiopaque additives to make the implants visible under fluoroscopy. The additives may also contribute to improve mechanical properties. The Composite composition with Matrix, Fibers and/or additives can provide enhanced functionality of mechanical, Osteoconductive and tailored degradation characteristics that can result in superior properties conventionally not achievable for Bioresorbable composites.

Disclosed are Self-Gelling materials and structures or materials or structures having one or more self-gelling components that overcome existing gel limitations due to hydrogel localization for medical applications by providing, for example, 1) microstructurally, or physically, anchored characteristics to help localize the gel, and the overall printed, or otherwise formed structure, giving structural form to the gel that allows the gel to be localized within the body, and even sutured in place, and mitigates gel migration and extends its residence time; 2) to provide an underlying 3D printed structure to help contain and support the gel after implantation; and more. Self-Gelling 3D printed structures may be further processed via milling to yield deconstructed scaffold micro-granules, with the composition and nano-/micro- structure of the original larger structure. Deconstructed scaffold micro-granules may be hydrated to form a micro-granule embedded gel network that can be injected, giving form to injectable gels.