Methods of preventing and treating an ear infection comprising insertion of a tympanostomy tube comprised of a least one anti-biotic agent

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for making resorbable ear tubes including the steps of providing a silk fibroin solution, and forming a silk ear tube from the silk fibroin solution, wherein the silk ear tube is less than 2 mm in length and has an outer diameter of less than 1.5 mm, and wherein the silk ear tube is resorbable. In some embodiments, the present invention also provides methods for treating otitis media including the step of introducing a silk ear tube into the ear canal of a subject, wherein the silk ear tube is less than 2 mm in length and has an outer diameter of less than 1.5 mm, and wherein the silk ear tube is resorbed by the subject.

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.

Antibacterial coatings and methods of making the antibacterial coatings are described herein. In particular, a method for forming an organocatalyzed polythioether coating is provided in which a first solution including a bis-silylated dithiol and a fluoroarene is prepared. A second solution including an organocatalyst is prepared. The first solution and the second solution are mixed to form a mixed solution. The mixed solution is applied to a substrate, and the substrate is cured.

Various examples are provided for controlled drug release over an extended period of time. In one example, a controlled release system includes a multilayer membrane including a first biocompatible nanofiber layer; a microbead layer disposed on the first biocompatible nanofiber layer, the microbeads comprising a releasable agent; and a second biocompatible nanofiber layer disposed over the microbead layer. The first and second biocompatible nanofiber layers support the microbead layer and provide a diffusion barrier that can control a release profile of the releasable agent.

The present invention provides a three-dimensional bioprinter for fabricating cellular constructs such as tissues and organs using electromagnetic radiation (EMR) at or above 405 nm. The bioprinter includes a material deposition device comprising a cartridge for receiving and holding a composition which contains biomaterial that cures after exposure to EMR. The bioprinter also includes an EMR module that emits EMR at a wavelength of about 405 nm or higher. Also provided is a bioprinter cartridge which contains cells and a material curable at a wavelength of about 405 nm or greater. The cells are present in a chamber and are extruded through an orifice to form the cellular construct.

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.

The present invention relates to methods of inducing the self-renewal of stem/progenitor supporting cells, including inducing the stem/progenitor cells to proliferate while maintaining, in the daughter cells, the capacity to differentiate into hair cells. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of using compounds comprising a 2-pyrimidinylaminoethylamino-2-pyridyl moiety having a Formula I

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and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

An ossicular prosthesis has a first fastening element for mechanical contact with the tympanic membrane, and a second fastening element for connecting to a member of the ossicular chain, and a connecting element which connects the fastening elements and which has rib elements which can be spread radially outwards and thereby shorten the axial length of the ossicular prosthesis. The rib elements lead directly into coupling regions of the first fastening element and into a coupling element which is rigidly connected to the second fastening element. When a force is introduced in parallel with the longitudinal axis in the direction, the rib elements assume a position located radially further from the longitudinal axis, and shorten the functional length of the prostheses, or increase with the introduction of an antiparallel force.

The invention relates to an ear implant for improving or restoring the hearing ability in the event of defects in the area of the ossicles of the ear or posterior wall of the auditory canal, said implant consisting of lithium disilicate glass ceramic having a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 to Li.sub.2O of 2 to 3, wherein the glass ceramic material being doped and stabilized with P.sub.2O.sub.5 and ZrO.sub.2, as well as a method for the production of the implant and the use of lithium disilicate glass ceramics in ear implants.