A method of promoting wound healing in a patient, the method comprising applying on a wound a biodegradable amino-acid based polymer.

A composition, comprising a hydrogel matrix and microparticles within said matrix, said matrix comprising a cross-linkable protein and a cross-linking agent, wherein said cross-linking agent is able to cross-link said cross-linkable protein, wherein said microparticles comprise a drug.

The present invention generally relates to the use of small particles, such as micro particles or nanoparticles, to produce a therapeutic scar such as “trans-mural” scarring or other desired “deep tissue” scarring. In one preferred embodiment, these particles can be delivered to a target location by an implant. More specifically, these particles can be incorporated into the structure of implants or into the coatings on implants. In another preferred embodiment, these small particles can be delivered directly with a catheter by electrophoresis or hydraulic pressure.

The chemically cross-linked hydrogel is a hydrogel formed by reaction of silk with a crosslinking agent, and the crosslinking agent is a diglycidyl ether crosslinking agent. The hydrogel is obtained by dissolving silk fibers in a lithium bromide solution and crosslinking through the crosslinking agent. The hydrogel has good elasticity, and can recover more than 90% of its volume/height after being compressed for 100 cycles with a compressive deformation of 20%. The silk is very stable in matrix structure and mechanical properties. After incubation in PBS at 37° C. for 30 days, the content of β-sheets in the secondary structure elements of the silk is less than or equal to 40%, and its compressive modulus is less than or equal to 100% (with a compressive deformation of 20%). The hydrogel has good biocompatibility and adjustable biodegradability, and can be used for repairing or filling tissues in subjects.

A biodegradable lens-shaped patch useful for healing and treatment of ocular conditions is disclosed. The patch is formed from a biodegradable carrier which carries amniotic extract and/or placental extract. The lens-shaped patch may be shaped in the form of a conventional contact lens and it is applied to a corneal surface to enhance healing thereof. After a certain period of time, the patch dissolves on its own and it need not be removed from the eye by a clinician. In an embodiment, the patch includes a clear central section that may be refractory, and a biodegradable peripheral section.

A microcapsule which is used in tissue regeneration, which may be specifically directed to the damaged tissues, and which forms an extracellular matrix-like structure at a certain point and thus allows cell proliferation.

Composite nerve guides for nerve regeneration are provided, wherein the composite guide comprise a nerve graft and a nerve conduit continuing an active agent that promote axon regeneration. The devices can provide structural supports to guide nerve regeneration and locally deliver an active agent (e.g., glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and/or glial growth factor 2 (GGF2) to injured nervous system tissue upon implantation in a subject. Methods of treatment using such devices are also provided.

An example medical device includes a vascular device, such as a catheter, and an anti-thrombogenic coating on a surface of the vascular device, such as a surface likely to contact blood. The anti-thrombogenic coating includes one or more peptides configured to interact with fibrinogen in the blood, such as a first type of peptides configured to bind to fibrinogen a second type of peptides configured to inhibit conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. The anti-thrombogenic coating also includes a polymer, such as a hydrocolloid polymer, a tunable polyethylene glycol (PEG), or other controlled release polymer configured to control release of the one or more peptides and maintain a concentration of the peptides at the surface of the anti-thrombogenic coating above a minimum inhibitory concentration, thereby inhibiting thrombin formation on the intravascular medical device.

Luminal grafts and methods of making and using the same. An exemplary luminal graft of the present disclosure is configured as a generally tubular element configured for nerve cells to grow therethrough and comprises at least one sheet of biological tissue having elastin fibers and collagen fibers, with the elastin fibers being a dominant component thereof; and a plurality of microchannels formed on a surface of the at least one sheet of biological tissue, each of the microchannels extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end of the at least one sheet of biological tissue and configured to provide intraluminal structural guidance to nerve cells proliferating therethrough.

The present invention relates to formulations for administration to a joint fat pad of a subject, and to methods of treating joint pain, inflammation or disease. The disclosed formulations are intended for local administration to the joint fat pad to provide sustained release of a therapeutic agent to the joint cavity and surrounding tissues. The joint may be an arthritic joint, an injured joint or a surgically replaced joint. The therapeutic agent may be an analgesic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent or an immunosuppressive agent. A single administration of the formulation to the joint fat pad delivers a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic agent with reduced systemic exposure relative to a single systemic or a single intra-articular administration of a therapeutic dose of an identical therapeutic agent.