Urinary catheters and methods for preventing bacterial infections.

In various embodiments, a layer of material can comprise a body, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion can be releasably secured to a staple cartridge of a surgical end effector, and the distal end portion can be releasably secured to an anvil of the surgical end effector. The layer of material can comprise a tissue thickness compensator.

A staple cartridge comprising a tissue thickness compensator is disclosed. The tissue thickness compensator comprises an external layer and tubular elements. The tubular elements are interconnected and positioned within the external layer. The tubular elements comprise apertures defined therein and the tubular elements are configured to collapse as pressure is applied to the tissue thickness compensator by tissue during the firing motion. The apertures enable fluids from the tissue to permeate the tissue thickness compensator.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a low endotoxin alkali chitosan, and also to a process for producing low endotoxin neutral chitosan, chitosan salt and chitosan derivatives, and to the products of such processes. The process comprises contacting chitosan with an alkali solution to form a mixture and leaving the mixture for at least about 12 hours. The low endotoxin alkali chitosan may be used in the manufacture of other useful chitosan based products.

The invention is directed to a biological bandage derived from fish skin (e.g. tilapia skin) that can be used with healing of wounds such as burn wounds. The edible property of the fish skin biological bandage according to various embodiments makes it suitable for both human and veterinary medicine.

The present invention provides a hemostatic porous composite sponge comprising i) a matrix of a biomaterial; and ii) one hydrophilic polymeric component comprising reactive groups wherein i) and ii) are associated with each other so that the reactivity of the polymeric component is retained, wherein associated means that said polymeric component is coated onto a surface of said matrix of a biomaterial, or said matrix is impregnated with said polymeric material, or both.

The present disclosure relates to methods of preparing personalized blood vessels, useful for transplantation with improved host compatibility and reduced susceptibility to thrombosis. Also provided are personalized blood vessels produced by the methods and use thereof in surgery.

Coated bone grafts are provided as well as methods of use thereof and methods of making. In accordance with the instant invention, methods of preparing a coated bone graft (e.g., bone allograft) are provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises electrospraying a composition comprising a polymer and, optionally, an agent, particularly a therapeutic agent, onto the surface of the bone graft. Therapeutic agents include, without limitation: bone stimulating agents, anti-fibrotic agents, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory agents, and pro-angiogenesis agents.

The present invention provides a hemostatic porous composite sponge comprising: i) a matrix of a biomaterial; and ii) one hydrophilic polymeric component comprising reactive groups wherein i) and ii) are associated with each other so that the reactivity of the polymeric component is retained, wherein associated means that said polymeric component is coated onto a surface of said matrix of a biomaterial, or said matrix is impregnated with said polymeric material, or both.

Pharmaceutical compositions, more specifically poloxamer copolymer-based compositions and hyaluronic acid-based compositions, containing amelogenin, are useful for promoting periodontal or orthopedic soft or hard tissue regeneration, wound closure, and skin regeneration and rejuvenation. The composition can contain a non-biodegradable thermosensitive pharmaceutically acceptable poloxamer copolymer in an amount of 18% to 30% by weight; amelogenin in an amount of 0.005% to 3% by weight; a disaccharide in an amount of 0.05% to 5% by weight; and an amino acid selected from alanine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, proline, valine, and a mixture thereof in an amount of 0.05% to 5% by weight.