The present invention provides for nanostructured fibrin and agarose hydrogels, preferably type VII agarose hydrogels, (NFAH) or non-nanostructured or pre-nanostructured fibrin and agarose hydrogels, preferably type VII agarose hydrogels, (FAH), as hemostatic agents designed for use as an adjunct or primary treatment in moderate intraoperative hemorrhage and in trauma. These hydrogels can be applied topically to the wound either on the skin in a laparotomy or as non-invasive manner in surgical procedures. Its nanostructure technology generates an adhesive stable fibrin clot required for hemostasis. The attachment properties of the hydrogel, as well as the rapid formation of a fibrin clot, ensures that a strong stable fibrin clot is formed shortly after application.

Provided herein are in vivo gelling ophthalmic pre-formulations forming a biocompatible retinal patch comprising at least one nucleophilic compound or monomer unit, at least one electrophilic compound or monomer unit, and optionally a therapeutic agent and/or viscosity enhancer. In some embodiments, the retinal patch at least partially adheres to the site of a retinal tear. Also provided herein are methods of treating retinal detachment by delivering an in vivo gelling ophthalmic pre-formulation to the site of a retinal tear in human eye, wherein the in vivo gelling ophthalmic pre-formulation forms a retinal patch.

A three-dimensional network aqueous gel and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. A water-soluble polymer is first added into a solvent and uniformly mixed, followed by hydrolysis to form a sol, and vacuum is applied to convert the sol into a gel, followed by a polycondensation reaction to form a three-dimensional network aqueous gel. The three-dimensional network aqueous gel is formed of the water-soluble polymer that includes a group including sodium alginate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. The water-soluble polymer is interconnected to form a three-dimensional network structure. The three-dimensional network aqueous gel is of a gel-enclosed form, which uses the three-dimensional network structure formed of a high-molecule polymer to enclose medicine, so as to more effectively protect the active ingredient and provide an effect of controlled released to thereby extend therapeutic period and reduce side effects of irritating skin.

Provided are methods, devices and compositions for reducing and/or inhibiting postsurgical tissue adhesion using a hydrogel film disposed onto a target tissue, thereby providing an adhesion barrier that remains over said target tissue for a prescribed period of time. In some embodiments, the hydrogel film is formed by the gelation of a pre-gel mixture applied onto the target tissue as a plurality of particles having an average maximum dimension, such as diameter, of at most about 500 μm. In some embodiments, the hydrogel film has a minimum storage modulus of 100 Pa. In some embodiments, the pre-gel mixture comprises an ECM digest having a collagen to carbohydrate ratio (by mass) of at least 70:1.

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.

Embodiments of the invention include silica fiber compositions useful for treatment of animal wounds and tissue, as well as for other applications in industry. The fiber compositions may be formed via electrospinning of a sol gel produced with a silicon alkoxide reagent, such as tetraethyl ortho silicate, alcohol solvent, and an acid catalyst.

Provided herein are in vivo gelling ophthalmic pre-formulations forming a biocompatible retinal patch comprising at least one nucleophilic compound or monomer unit, at least one electrophilic compound or monomer unit, and optionally a therapeutic agent and/or viscosity enhancer. In some embodiments, the retinal patch at least partially adheres to the site of a retinal tear. Also provided herein are methods of treating retinal detachment by delivering an in vivo gelling ophthalmic pre-formulation to the site of a retinal tear in human eye, wherein the in vivo gelling ophthalmic pre-formulation forms a retinal patch.

A microporous gel system for certain applications, including biomedical applications, includes an aqueous solution containing plurality of microgel particles including a biodegradable crosslinker. In some aspects, the microgel particles act as gel building blocks that anneal to one another to form a covalently-stabilized scaffold of microgel particles having interstitial spaces therein. In certain aspects, annealing of the microgel particles occurs after exposure to an annealing agent that is endogenously present or exogenously added. In some embodiments, annealing of the microgel particles requires the presence of an initiator such as exposure to light. In particular embodiments, the chemical and physical properties of the gel building blocks can be controlled to allow downstream control of the resulting assembled scaffold. In one or more embodiments, cells are able to quickly infiltrate the interstitial spaces of the assembled scaffold.

The present invention relates to a wound dressing composition that is capable of gelling upon contact with a fluid derived from a human or animal body, and which is able to maintain the integrity of the gel for a period of time that is longer than about 24 hours.

Described herein are polymeric particles configured for intravascular delivery of pharmaceutical agents, e.g., to a diseased site, and methods of forming and using same. Preparation of these polymer particles is also described.