Described is a skin regeneration therapy. The described therapy combines precise bioelectric signals, light, and biologics for skin treatment and regeneration. Precise bioelectric signals give clear instructions to the stimulated cell DNA/RNA to produce specific regenerative proteins on demand. Bioelectric signals give clear instructions to cell membranes on what to let in and what to let out and serve as an equivalent or surrogate of environmental stimuli to cause a cell action in response.

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.

A method of treating soft tissue conditions. A harvesting device is provided. The harvesting device is operably connected to a tissue processing device using tubing. An aperture is formed in a bone. The bone has an interior. The harvesting device is inserted through the aperture in the bone and into the interior of the bone. The harvesting device is manipulated to dissociate connective tissue progenitor cells in the interior of the bone. Tissue is aspirated from the interior of the bone. The connective tissue progenitor cells are separated from the aspirated tissue. The separated connective tissue progenitor cells are injected in a region of a body that is experiencing a soft tissue condition to treat the soft tissue condition.

An adipose tissue (AT) transfer system includes, on the aspiration side, an aspiration cannula, an aspiration pump, a container, and flexible tubing connecting the aspiration cannula to the container. On the reinjection side, the system includes a reinjection cannula, flexible tubing connecting the inlet of the reinjection cannula to the container, and a reinjection pump imposing positive-displacement pumping action on the flexible tubing and causing movement of AT in a pulsed mode. The aspiration pump operates to continually supply harvested AT to the second flexible tubing while the reinjection pumps causes continuous or pulsed deposition of the AT at injection site. To ensure that internal pressure and/or flow of the AT through a channel of delivery of the AT to the reinjection site does not exceed a predetermined value, the system contains an external pressure sensor configured to measure such internal pressure in absence of a part that is in direct contact with the AT.

Implantable gas delivery device and methods, systems, and devices including same. According to one embodiment, the implantable gas delivery device includes a porous core that permits facile transport of gas throughout its open volume. The porous core has sufficiently high tensile strength to withstand pressurization without significant deformation. The porous core is generally planar and is shaped to include a pair of opposing surfaces and a periphery. Diffusion membranes are fixed to the two opposing surfaces of the porous core. A gas supply tube has one end inserted into the porous core and another end connectable to a gas source. The periphery of the porous core is sealed gas-tight, either with a gasket or by sealing the porous core and/or diffusion membranes. The device may be used to deliver a gas to an implanted cell capsule or to native cells or tissues or may be used to expel waste gas.

The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration of symptoms for gastro-esophageal pathologies like gastro-esophageal reflux.

The present invention teaches apparatuses, systems and methods for performing a variety of medical procedures, including those involving introducing one or more substances into a subject's body. In some embodiments, the invention teaches automatically performing guided injections into a tissue site (e.g. spinal cord) of a subject by using one or more electronically operated components including a cannula, a syringe pump, and a stereotactic device.

The present invention provides devices and methods for concentrating a fluid and for treating a patient with the concentrated fluid. The concentrator apparatus includes a main housing (12) defining a separation chamber (14), a filter housing (48) containing a filter (46) comprising a filter element, a piping (44) for moving concentrated fluid from the separation chamber to the filter, and ports (32) for pressurizing the concentrated fluid past the filter element of the filter. The present invention also provides a variety of uses of concentrated body fluids, including autologous concentrated body fluid. The concentrated fluids can be used for example in surgical applications, including graft applications such as allograft, xenograft and autograft applications.

Bioartificial ultrafiltration devices comprising a scaffold comprising a population of cells enclosed in a matrix and disposed adjacent a plurality of channels are provided. The population of cells provides molecules such as therapeutic molecules to a subject in need thereof and is supported by the nutrients filtered in an ultrafiltrate from the blood of the subject. The plurality of channels in the scaffold facilitate the transportation of the ultrafiltrate and exchange of molecules between the ultrafiltrate and the population of cells.

Device and method for rapid extraction of body tissue from an enclosed body cavity. Hollow entry cannula with optional core element provides entry into body tissue space such as bone marrow. Aspiration cannula is inserted through the hollow entry cannula into the body tissue and is manipulated to advance directionally through the body cavity. Optional stylet within the aspiration cannula aids in advancing the aspiration cannula through the body tissue and is removed to facilitate extraction of the body tissue through the aspiration cannula. Inlet openings near distal tip of the aspiration cannula allow tissue aspiration, with negative pressure source at the proximal end of the aspiration cannula providing controlled negative pressure. The aspiration cannula may be withdrawn and its path adjusted for multiple entries through a same entry point, following different paths through the body tissue space for subsequent aspiration of more tissue.