Disclosed here is a method of alleviating negative effects of cochlear implant surgery in a subject in need thereof comprising administering effective amounts of 2,4-disulfonyl α-phenyl tertiary butyl nitrone (2,4-DSPBN) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a subject prior to, during, and/or after undergoing cochlear implant surgery.

A pharmaceutical composition for eardrum repair includes: collagen present in an amount of 8 wt % to 12 wt %; a forming agent present in an amount of 19 wt % to 22 wt %; and rest of a solvent, wherein the forming agent is a polymer of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polypropylene oxide (PPO), polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylmethacrylate, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (pDMAEMA) hydroxypropylcellulose, poly(vinylcaprolactame), poly-2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline, polyvinyl methyl ether or a combination thereof.

The present invention relates to the preparation of a membrane for use in the repair of the middle ear including perforations and damage to the tympanic membrane. More particularly, the invention provides for compositions and methods for preparing silk fibroin biocompatible polyurethane membranes using a solvent, which have improved biodegradation, mechanical and vibroacoustic properties.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a collagen membrane that has particular mechanical properties. In particular, the present invention relates to a method A of producing a collagen membrane comprising the steps of (i) isolating a collagen-containing tissue and incubating same in an ethanol solution; (ii) incubating the collagen-containing tissue from step (i) in a first solution comprising an inorganic salt and an anionic surfactant in order to denature non-collagenous proteins contained therein; (iii) incubating the collagen-containing tissue produced in step (ii) in a second solution comprising an inorganic acid until the collagen in said material is denatured; and (iv) incubating the collagen-containing tissue produced in step (iii) in a third solution comprising an inorganic acid with simultaneous mechanical stimulation for sufficient time to enable the collagen bundles in said collagen-containing tissue to align; wherein the mechanical stimulation comprises applying tension cyclically to the collagen-containing tissue.

Ear implants for auricular tissue reconstruction in a patient are provided. The ear implant may be a tissue scaffold multicomponent assembly for reconstruction of auricular tissue. Thus, the assembly may include both a first and a second tissue scaffold component. Each comprises a biocompatible polymeric material having a plurality of open pores configured to support cell growth. The first tissue scaffold component defines a central void region and at least a portion of an outer ear framework of the patient after implantation. The second tissue scaffold component defines a base portion. After implantation into the patient, the second tissue scaffold component seats within the central void region of the first tissue scaffold component, so that the second tissue scaffold component is secured to the first tissue scaffold component. Methods for reconstructing auricular tissue in a patient using such ear implant tissue scaffolds are also provided.

Presented herein are dissolution barriers for use with tissue-stimulating prostheses. As described further below, a tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprises a stimulating assembly including an elongate insulating carrier member and a plurality of electrode contacts disposed along the carrier member. A continuous dissolution barrier is disposed on the surface of the stimulating assembly so as to substantially encapsulate/enclose the plurality of electrode contacts and the carrier member. The continuous dissolution barrier is configured to inhibit in situ dissolution of the plurality of electrode contacts.

A nitric oxide gas-releasing conduit configured for surgical implantation through a patient's tympanic membrane. The nitric oxide gas-releasing conduit comprises a gas-permeable cured resin material configured for releasably sequestering therein gas. The gas-permeable cured resin material is charged with nitric oxide gas. The nitric oxide gas-releasing conduit may be optionally coated with an antimicrobial gas-releasing composition. The gas-releasing coating composition may be configured to release nitric oxide.

Aspects of the invention include crosslinked copolymer hydrogel compositions. Crosslinked copolymer hydrogel compositions according to certain embodiments include a copolymer of chitosan and a polyester and a hydrolysable crosslinker. In certain embodiments, crosslinked hydrogels further include fibrinogen. The subject invention also describes compositions having crosslinked copolymer hydrogels with one or more absorbed bioactive agents. Methods for preparing and using the crosslinked copolymer hydrogels of the invention are also described.

A device for use in the repair of an ear drum in a subject in need of such treatment, said device: having a tensile strength Youngs Modulus between approximately 12.5 and 40 MPa; comprising one or more membrane layers, wherein at least one membrane layer comprises a plurality of pores; and wherein the device can support proliferation, migration and/or adhesion of cells selected from the group comprising at least any one or more of: keratinocytes, fibroblasts, vascular cells, mucosal epithelial cells, and stem cells.

The present invention relates to the preparation of a membrane for use in the repair of the middle ear including perforations and damage to the tympanic membrane. The invention also provides for compositions and methods for preparing composite silk fibroin and glycerol membranes using formic acid, where the membranes have improved mechanical and vibroacoustic properties.