A method of forming a gel particle slurry includes providing a first solution that includes a cross-linkable hydrogel polymer macromer and an optional first crosslinker in a first depot and optionally a second solution in a second depot that is separated from the first depot by a mixing unit that includes a mixing element; and reversibly transferring the first solution and the optional second solution through the mixing unit between the first depot and the second depot such that the first solution and the optional second solution are mixed and agitated to form the gel particle slurry.

Highly-swellable polymeric films are provided. Aspects also include ingestible compositions that include the highly-swellable polymeric film and an ingestible component. Aspects further include methods of making and using the compositions.

Embodiments herein described provide devices for identifying and collecting rare cells or cells which occur at low frequency in the body of a subject, such as, antigen-specific cells or disease-specific cells. More specifically, the devices are useful for trapping immune cells and the devices contain a physiologically-compatible porous polymer scaffold, a plurality of antigens, and an immune cell-recruiting agent, wherein the plurality of antigens and the immune cell recruiting agent attract and trap the immune cell in the device. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such devices. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the devices, compositions, and kits/packages. Further embodiments relate to methods for using the devices, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as autoimmune diseases or cancers.

Disclosed are compositions and articles for a semi-rigid hydrogel material that provides an acoustic coupling medium for ultrasound diagnostic and treatment techniques. In one aspect, a hydrogel material for an acoustic coupling medium includes a sodium alginate block copolymer, a dimethylacrylamide monomer, and water. In some implementations, the sodium alginate block copolymer is present in an amount of about 0.5 wt % to about 25 wt %, the dimethylacrylamide monomer is present in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 40 wt %, and the water is present in an amount of at least about 50 wt % of the total weight of the hydrogel composition.

Disclosed are a hydrogel composition, a method for manufacturing the hydrogel composition, and an enzymatically formed hydrogel composition, all of which are characterized mainly by the use of calcium peroxide as an oxygen receptor in a tyrosinase-catalyzed polymer crosslinking reaction in order for the polymer to chelate with calcium ions. The resulting hydrogel composition not only is highly biocompatible, but also has desirable mechanical properties and a high gelation speed.

The invention relates to biocompatible polymer gel compositions useful in facilitating and maintaining hemostasis. The biocompatible polymeric gel composition is comprised of (a) one or more than one polyanionic polymer, (b) one or more than one polycationic polymer, and (c) a solvent. A preferred composition includes sodium alginate, chitosan, and water to produce an adhesive hemostatic device that is useful in facilitating and maintaining rapid hemostasis.

Highly-swellable polymeric films are provided. Aspects also include ingestible compositions that include the highly-swellable polymeric film and an ingestible component. Aspects further include methods of making and using the compositions.

Embodiments herein described provide devices for identifying and collecting rare cells or cells which occur at low frequency in the body of a subject, such as, antigen-specific cells or disease-specific cells. More specifically, the devices are useful for trapping immune cells and the devices contain a physiologically-compatible porous polymer scaffold, a plurality of antigens, and an immune cell-recruiting agent, wherein the plurality of antigens and the immune cell recruiting agent attract and trap the immune cell in the device. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such devices. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the devices, compositions, and kits/packages. Further embodiments relate to methods for using the devices, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as autoimmune diseases or cancers.

The present invention relates to the formation of gels. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method of forming a cross-linked polymer hydrogel using competitive ligand exchange.

The present invention is directed to a process for preparing a porous material, at least comprising the steps of providing a gel comprising a solvent (S), wherein the solvent (S) has a volume (V1), pressurizing the gel with carbon dioxide at a temperature and a pressure at which carbon dioxide solubilizes in the solvent (S) forming gas-expanded liquid (EL), wherein the gas-expanded liquid (EL) has a volume (V2) and (V2) is greater than (V1); removing supernatant liquid, and drying the gel. The present invention further is directed to the porous material obtained or obtainable according to the process as such as the use of the porous material according to the invention in particular for medical, biomedical and pharmaceutical applications or for thermal insulation.