A cartilage mimetic gel includes double network hydrogels. The double network hydrogels comprise a first crosslinked network and a second crosslinked network. The first crosslinked network can be formed from poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid). The second crosslinked network can be formed from poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-acrylamide).

Compositions-of-matter comprising a matrix made of one or more, preferably two or more elastic layers and one or more viscoelastic layer are disclosed. The compositions-of-matter are characterized by high water-impermeability and optionally by self-recovery. Processes of preparing the compositions-of-matter and uses thereof as tissue substitutes or for repairing damaged tissues are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a dental addition silicone impression material containing: an organopolysiloxane; and a nonionic surfactant, wherein the organopolysiloxane contains M units represented by the formula: R.sub.3SiO.sub.1/2, in which R is a substituted or an unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or an unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or an unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or an unsubstituted alkoxy group or hydroxy group, and three R's are identical or different, and Q units represented by the chemical formula: SiO.sub.2.

This disclosure provides a person support formed from an elastomeric composition. The elastomeric composition includes a polymer blend with the polymer blend consisting essentially of a first and second SEEPS copolymer. The first and second SEEPS copolymers are present in the polymer blend in an amount of from 75 to 95 percent by weight and 5 to 25 percent by weight, respectively, based on the total weight of the polymer blend. In addition, the sum of the first and second SEEPS copolymers in the polymer blend is 100 percent by weight. The first and second SEEPS copolymers have a weight average molecular weight of weight of at least 200,000 and 125,000 to 175,000, respectively. The disclosure also provides a patient support for supporting a patient with the patient support formed from the elastomeric composition.

Disclosed is a vesicular system comprising a surface with a vesicle immobilized thereon. The immobilized vesicle has a circumferential membrane of an amphiphilic polymer. The vesicle is coupled to a surface by means of a molecule with a non-polar moiety. The non-polar moiety comprises a main chain of 3 to about 30 carbon atoms and 0 to about 12 heteroatoms selected from Si, O, S, and Se. The molecule with the non-polar moiety is coupled to the surface via a covalent or non-covalent bond. A portion of the non-polar moiety is integrated in the circumferential membrane.

The disclosure provides a method for cleaning an implanted medical device. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a medical device including a membrane; wherein the membrane comprises a thermoresponsive hydrogel including N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) or poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), and a volume phase transition temperature (VPTT). The method also includes implanting the medical device into a target area; wherein the membrane temperature is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the target area; wherein temperature fluctuations within the target area that approach, meet and/or exceed the volume phase transition temperature induce deswelling or relative deswelling in the membrane and temperature fluctuations within the target area that are relatively lower and/or approach and/or fall below the volume phase transition temperature induce swelling or relative swelling in the membrane.

A biobased polymer composition for pharmaceutical articles includes a low density polyethylene, in which at least a portion of ethylene is obtained from a renewable source of carbon. The biobased polymer composition exhibits an Emission Factor ranging from −3.5 to 0 kg CO2.sub.e/kg of the biobased polymer composition, and is biocompatible for use in pharmaceutical packaging. A pharmaceutical article includes the biobased polymer composition and has a volume ranging from 0.04 ml to 10000 ml. A method for forming a pharmaceutical article includes extruding the biobased polymer composition at a temperature ranging from 100 to 250° C. and at a screw speed ranging from 20 to 100 rpm. A method for producing a biobased polymer composition includes polymerizing ethylene at least partially obtained from a renewable source of carbon to form a low density polyethylene.

The present invention relates to a biocompatible device which comprises on its surface an adsorbed layer of a polymer P which is a copolymer of at least one macromonomer selected from an ester E of (meth)acrylic acid and polyethylene oxide or a polyethylene glycol (meth)acrylamide, at least one monomer M selected from alkyl (meth)acrylate, aryloxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, alkyl (meth)acrylamide or aryl (meth)acrylamide, and at least one cationic monomer C selected from cationic ethylenically unsaturated N-containing monomers. It further relates to a process for making a biocompatible device which comprises on its surface an adsorbed layer of the polymer P comprising the following steps: providing a biocompatible device, and applying to the surface of the biocompatible device a solution S of the polymer Pin a solvent L. It further relates to a solution S comprising the polymer P in the solvent L, where the solvent L comprises an alcohol; and to a process for cultivating cells, comprising the following steps: providing the biocompatible device and cultivating the cells in the supernatant medium above the surface of the biocompatible device.

Provided is an artificial blood vessel in which flexibility and a hemostatic effect required for an implantation procedure are appropriately secured. An artificial blood vessel 1 includes a base material 11 made of a fiber having a porous structure, and a coating layer 12 formed on a surface of the base material. The coating layer contains a hydrophilic polymer and a humectant, and a weight ratio of the humectant to the hydrophilic polymer is 0.1 wt% to 40 wt%.

Compositions comprise statistically random heteropolymers complexed with active proteins, and are formulated and used in stimuli-responsive materials and nanoreactors composed of proteins and synthetic materials.