Disclosed is an optical cylinder of a corneal prosthesis comprising: a) an optical cylinder comprising a solid polymer, and b) a plurality of nanoparticles forming a substantially uniform layer on a circumference of the solid polymer surface of the optical cylinder. Also disclosed are methods of surface treatment of optical cylinders of corneal prostheses, and corneal prostheses thereof.

The present invention provides devices and methods for delivering a population of cells or a therapeutic agent to a subject in need thereof.

A three-dimensional electrospun biomedical patch includes a first polymeric scaffold having a first structure of deposited electrospun fibers extending in a plurality of directions in three dimensions to facilitate cellular migration for a first period of time upon application of the biomedical patch to a tissue, wherein the first period of time is less than twelve months, and a second polymeric scaffold having a second structure of deposited electrospun fibers. The second structure of deposited electrospun fibers includes the plurality of deposited electrospun fibers configured to provide structural reinforcement for a second period of time upon application of the three-dimensional electrospun biomedical patch to the tissue wherein the second period of time is less than twelve months. The three-dimensional electrospun biomedical patch is sufficiently pliable and resistant to tearing to enable movement of the three-dimensional electrospun biomedical patch with the tissue.

The present invention provides moldable, fully scalable cellulose silica-based hydrogels for use as low-cost and safe carriers and aqueous viscosity modifiers in various industrial and medical applications.

Superabsorbent particles have a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and contain a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 20 darcys or more, of 30 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more. A method for forming such superabsorbent particles includes forming a composition that contains a superabsorbent polymer and a solvent system; contacting the composition with a non-solvent system to initiate formation of the porous network through phase inversion; removing non-solvent from the composition; and surface crosslinking the superabsorbent particles.

An autologous bone graft substitute composition for inducing new bone formation, promoting bone growth and treating bone defects, a method of preparation thereof, and a method of inducing or promoting bone growth by treatment of a bone with an autologous bone graft substitute composition. The composition includes autologous blood; one or more analogs of an osteogenic bone morphogenetic protein selected from BMP-6, BMP-2, BMP-7, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-8, BMP-9, BMP-12, and BMP-13, and combinations thereof; and a compression resistant matrix selected from the group consisting of a bone autograft, bone allograft, hydroxyapatite, tri-calcium phosphate, and combinations thereof. The autologous blood forms a coagulum gel comprising a fibrin-meshwork reinforced with the compression resistant matrix and containing the osteogenic bone morphogenetic protein which is released over a sustained period.

The present invention generally relates to the use of small particles, such as micro particles or nanoparticles, to produce a therapeutic scar such as “trans-mural” scarring or other desired “deep tissue” scarring. In one preferred embodiment, these particles can be delivered to a target location by an implant. More specifically, these particles can be incorporated into the structure of implants or into the coatings on implants. In another preferred embodiment, these small particles can be delivered directly with a catheter by electrophoresis or hydraulic pressure.

A synthetic construct suitable for implantation into a biological organism that includes at least one polymer scaffold; wherein the at least one polymer scaffold includes at least one layer of polymer fibers that have been deposited by electrospinning; wherein the orientation of the fibers in the at least one polymer scaffold relative to one another is generally parallel, random, or both; and wherein the at least one polymer scaffold has been adapted to function as at least one of a substantially two-dimensional implantable structure and a substantially three-dimensional implantable tubular structure.

The invention relates to a nanofibrous material comprising a drug for treating a peripheral nerve injury by delivering the drug locally to a damaged or injured nerve. The drug may be such a Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug or a PPAR agonist. In particular, the invention relates to a drug eluting nerve wrap or bandage that can be wrapped around an injured peripheral nerve. The invention also relates to a nanofibrous drug delivery system or device for delivering a drug locally to a peripheral nerve, a treatment for a peripheral nerve injury comprising contacting a damaged nerve with the drug eluting nanofibrous material or drug delivery system, kits and methods for making the nanofibrous materials, and uses of the nanofibrous materials.

An article comprising a substrate and an anti-microbial coating, wherein the anti-microbial coating comprises at least one solvent-free black phosphorus flake.