Disclosed herein, in certain instances, are tissue grafts derived from UCAM. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, are use for tissue grafts derived from UCAM.

This disclosure features artificial tympanic membrane graft devices and two-component bilayer graft devices that include a scaffold having a plurality of ribs made of a first material and a plurality of spaces between the ribs filled or made with the first material, a different, second material, a combination of the first and a second materials, or a combination of a second material and one or more other different materials. The bilayer graft devices have two components or layers. One component, e.g., the underlay graft device, can include a projection, and the second component, e.g., the overlay graft device, can include an opening that corresponds to the projection (or vice versa) so that the opening and the projection can secure the two layers together in a “lock and key” manner. This disclosure also features methods of making, using, and implanting the three-dimensional artificial tympanic membrane and bilayer graft devices.

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.

An implantable device for mounting to a patient's bone includes a housing and at least one osseointegrating protuberance. The housing includes a surface having an abutting portion configured to abut the bone when the housing is implanted in the patient, the abutting portion defining a housing axis orthogonal to the surface. The at least one osseointegrating protuberance: extends from the surface of the housing; is adapted to abut the patient's bone; and has a substantially smooth shaft.

Novel methods and materials particularly useful for ophthalmic applications and to methods for making and using the same are disclosed herein. More particularly, relatively soft, optically transparent, foldable, high refractive index materials particularly suited for use in the production of intraocular lenses, contact lenses, and other ocular implants and to methods for manufacturing and implanting IOLs made therefrom are disclosed.

An implantable device for mounting to a patient's bone includes a housing and at least one osseointegrating protuberance. The housing includes a surface having an abutting portion configured to abut the bone when the housing is implanted in the patient, the abutting portion defining a housing axis orthogonal to the surface. The at least one osseointegrating protuberance: extends from the surface of the housing; is adapted to abut the patient's bone; and has a substantially smooth shaft.

A biocompatible hydrogel has between 0.3% and 30% by weight of dry matter of a copolymer formed at least from acrylamide, chitosan and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide, as well as a diffusing agent. The diffusing agent is advantageously selected from the group consisting of inert ingredients which have biomechanical properties and active ingredients. A method of manufacturing the hydrogel by copolymerizing, washing, and adding the diffusing agent is provided, as well as a mechanical visco-supplementation system adapted for external or internal use that includes the hydrogel, and an external or internal mechanical visco-supplementation kit including an acrylamide and chitosan copolymer crosslinked with N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide, and a diffusing agent in solid phase or in suspension, the copolymer and the diffusing agent having been previously mixed in the form of a hydrogel during manufacture or being adapted to be mixed extemporaneously to form a hydrogel.

A foam earplug for reception at least partially within the ear canal and including a body portion formed of resilient foam plastic material having a multiple open cell structure and having a size and shape for at least partial reception within the ear canal. A transdermal material having a particular beneficial action, and with an outer layer of the foam earplug infused with the transdermal material so that the benefits of the transdermal material is in transdermal contact with the ear canal. One example is a humectant material and, specifically, a moisturizer/lubricating material, for providing an increase to the lubrication and moisturizing in the ear canal. A second example is where the beneficial action is provided by systemic distribution such as a sleep aid, i.e., Melatonin, so that when the earplugs arm worn during sleep, the earplugs will provide a sleep aid to the wearer.

Novel methods and materials particularly useful for ophthalmic applications and to methods for making and using the same are disclosed herein. More particularly, relatively soft, optically transparent, foldable, high refractive index materials particularly suited for use in the production of intraocular lenses, contact lenses, and other ocular implants and to methods for manufacturing and implanting IOLs made therefrom are disclosed.

The present disclosure is drawn to antimicrobial implantable medical devices, and can include an implantable medical device, and an antimicrobial metal applied to an exterior surface of at least a portion of the implantable medical that is positionable within a body tissue or traverses the body tissue when surgically placed (using surgical instruments beyond merely a needle or catheter port) for implantation.