Certain embodiments according to the present invention provide sleeve devices suitable for a wide range of therapeutic uses. In accordance with certain embodiments, the therapeutic sleeve device includes a nanofiber fabric assembly, which defines a plurality of pores, and at least one layer of cells embedded in the nanofiber fabric assembly.

A system and method for harvesting autologous tissue, mincing it into fragments that are visible and measurable when filtered, and delivering a portion of the tissue back into the patient without the need to directly touch the tissue. During the same surgical procedure, the tissue can be mixed with a biocompatible agent before introduction into the repair site.

The present invention provides for methods and devices suitable for producing a transplantable cellular suspension of living tissue suitable for grafting to a patient. In applying the method and/or in using the device, donor tissue is harvested, subjected to a cell dissociation treatment, cells suitable for grafting back to a patient are collected and dispersed in a solution that is suitable for immediate dispersion over the recipient graft site.

A surgical instrument and method, for example to accomplish phacoemulsification, are disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handpiece that includes a piezoelectric transducer. A hollow titanium needle having a substantially cylindrical portion and a free distal tip is attached to the handpiece by way of a threaded supported end structure. The piezoelectric transducer is driven by a circuit to periodically expand and contract at a high-ultrasound frequency that rings the hollow titanium needle with a high-ultrasonic frequency standing wave having a node of minimum amplitude residing in the substantially cylindrical portion between the supported end structure and the free distal tip, and to periodically expand and contract at an ultrasound frequency that rings the hollow titanium needle with an ultrasonic frequency standing wave, the circuit adapted to between the high-ultrasonic frequency and the ultrasonic frequency.

A manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. An outlet opening and a fitting are in fluid communication with a manifold volume within a housing. The fining receives a suction line. A filter element with porous features is disposed within the housing such that a fluid communication path is established across the filter element. The porous features trap material entrained within the fluid. A material collection volume is at least partially distal to and below a bottom of the filter element. As the fluid and the material is drawn through the fluid communication path, the material collects within the material collection volume. A flow diverter may be positioned within the housing for directing the material towards the material collection volume. The material collection volume may be at least partially defined by a tissue trap removably coupled to the housing.

Methods, systems, and devices for regulating blood glucose such as implantable encapsulated devices optionally with insulin and/or giucacon secreting cells in combination with glucose sensors and insulin infusion systems. For example, encapsulation devices may be connected to an insulin infusion pump for distribution of insulin. The insulin infusion pump may feature an insulin pouch fluidly connected to an insulin pump (or a syringe) and a glucose sensor separate from the encapsulation device. The system may feature an additional implantable device comprising insulin and glucagon secreting cells.

Certain embodiments according to the present invention provide sleeve devices suitable for a wide range of therapeutic uses. In accordance with certain embodiments, the therapeutic sleeve device includes a nanofiber fabric assembly, which defines a plurality of pores, and at least one layer of cells embedded in the nanofiber fabric assembly.

A soft tissue device can incorporate a composite material comprising a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A soft tissue device can further incorporate biologically active materials such as cells, tissues. A method for healing a soft tissue defect while promoting soft tissue regeneration can include applying a soft tissue device to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a soft tissue device for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel, disposing nanofibers within the gel, and a biologically active material.

Implantable devices comprising a scaffold, cells, and/or therapeutic molecules are provided. Uses include inhibition of pathological immunity, elaboration of therapeutic growth factors, and immune augmentation. The implantable device may contain a porous substrate structure to which therapeutic cells are adherent, which can be implanted and explanted from a patient. In another embodiment, a medical device includes a porous substrate seeded with therapeutic cells, said device comprising of an additional layer allowing free exchange of molecules without cell escape. Said medical device is seeded with thymic medullary epithelial cells or progenitors of said thymic medullary epithelial cells. In conditions where tolerance to alloreactive donor cells is desired, the thymic medullary epithelial cells or progenitors thereof are derived from recipient cells. In conditions where tolerance to alloreactive recipient cells is desired, the thymic medullary epithelial cells or progenitors thereof are derived from donor cells.

A system comprising a handpiece and drive system configured to removably couple to a proximal end of a housing. A scalpet assembly is configured to removeably couple to the housing, and includes a scalpet array comprising at least one scalpet configured for rotation. The scalpet array is configured to harvest dermal plugs via fractional resection. A collection chamber is configured to collect the dermal plugs, and to house formation of an injectable filler by mincing the dermal plugs, and mixing the dermal plugs with a carrier. The injectable filler is configured for bulk fill. The collection chamber includes a loading port, and a cannular syringe is configured to mate with the loading port to receive the injectable filler, and to deliver the injectable filler for the bulk fill.