A BAK removal device is constructed as a plug of microparticles of a hydrophilic polymeric gel that displays a hydraulic permeability greater than 0.01 Da. The polymer hydrophilic polymeric gel comprises poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA). The particles are 2 to 100 μm and the plug has a surface area of 30 mm.sup.2 to 2 mm.sup.2 and a length of 2 mm to 25 mm and wherein the microparticles of a hydrophilic polymeric gel has a pore radius of 3 to 60 μm.

Provided is a novel method by which a porous cellulose medium is able to be suitably produced from cellulose acetate. A method for producing a porous cellulose medium, which comprises: a step for preparing a cellulose acetate solution wherein cellulose acetate is dissolved in a solvent; and a step for obtaining a mixed solution by mixing the cellulose acetate solution, a deacetylating agent and a catalyst with each other.

An embodiment includes a system comprising a thermoset polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foam that includes at least one antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent may include at least one phenolic acid that is a pendent group chemically bonded to a polyurethane polymer chain of the SMP foam. Other embodiments are described herein.

Provided herein are compositions comprising: a scaffold polymer having one or more acryloyl groups or one or more methacryloyl groups; optionally a porogen and a crosslinking agent, compositions that upon crosslinking form a hydrogel for use in cell encapsulation and methods for immunocytochemistry of encapsulated cells. Scaffold polymers used are selected from: Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA); Poly(ethylene glycol) dimethylacrylate (PEGDMA); Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA); Poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA); and Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA), and porogens selected from: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG); Chitosan; Agarose; Dextran; Hyaluronic acid; Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA); Cellulose and derivatives thereof; Gelatin and derivatives thereof; and Acrylamide and derivatives thereof. The invention also provides, at least in part, compositions for forming a porous hydrogel around a cell suitable for immunostaining of cells within the hydrogel.

Methods of making polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/polymer composites are disclosed herein. The products can be used in the field of bio- and medical applications, such as for use in artificial blood vessels, vascular grafts, cardiovascular and soft tissue patches, facial implants, surgical sutures, and endovascular prosthesis, and for any products known in the aerospace, electronics, fabrics, filtration, industrial and sealant arts.

A system for aerating a marker material. The system includes a first container, a second container, and an aeration connector. The aeration connector includes a body and a screen disk disposed within the body. The first container is in communication with the second container via the aeration connector. The screen disk of the aeration connector is configured to aerate a marker material as the marker material is repeatedly passed between the first container and the second container.

Methods and materials used for production of constructs having a porous open or semi-open celled structure. Constructs may include a porous matrix as a base and a biocompatible conformal coating thereon.

The present invention is a specially prepared fibrin foam, and a method of (and equipment for) making it, which is flexible, contains either open cells, closed cells or both, and having individual cell diameters between 0.001 and 2 mm. Typical ratios of reactants, to give the desired foam characteristics, include 50 cc (45-55 cc) of whole blood (prior to separation to the plasma component) with the subsequent addition thereto of 2 ml (1.5-2.5 ml) 3% hydrogen peroxide, 5000 units (4500-5500 units) thrombin and 1 gm (0.9-1.1 g) calcium chloride in 3 cc (2-4 cc) water. The present invention also includes specialty vessels and constructs, namely, automated, or semi-automated inner containers for the non-blood reactants, and a custom outer separation vessel having a punted based with an annular base lip as well as an upper tube shape tapering inward towards its top annular opening.

Skin-contact products with a transpiration function such as medical devices or medicinal products, of which face masks, aspirators, ventilators, breast pumps or wound dressings are examples are described especially a skin-contact product with a transpiration function with an improved microclimate at a patient interface material -skin contact area. In an embodiment a material system is described that comprises a hydrophobic silicone base material and a hydrophilic silicone material that is combined with the hydrophobic base material.

A macroporous polymeric hydrogel microsphere that contains poly(ethylene glycol), chitosan, and water. The hydrogel microsphere, having a diameter of 50-250 μm and a mesh size of 5-100 nm, is capable of transporting biomolecules conjugated to it. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the microsphere based on a micromolding technique utilizing surface tension-induced droplet formation followed by photo-induced polymerization.