Urinary catheters and methods for preventing bacterial infections.

A biocompatible soft tissue implant for introduction into a human body includes at least one layer comprising an elastomeric material, and at least one textile fabric arranged on the at least one layer comprising the elastomeric material. The at least one textile fabric forms a surface of the biocompatible soft tissue implant. The at least one textile fabric includes bioresorbable fibers which are embedded at least partially in the at least one layer comprising the elastomeric material.

A biocompatible composite material for complete or partial insertion into a human body includes at least one layer comprising an elastomeric material, and at least one textile fabric arranged on the at least one layer comprising the elastomeric material. The at least one textile fabric forms a surface of the biocompatible composite material. The at least one textile fabric includes bioresorbable fibers that are embedded at least partially in the at least one layer comprising the elastomeric material.

Improved nerve regeneration scaffolds are disclosed, which include a plurality of modified nanotube yarn bundles disposed of within the scaffold lumen. The modified nanotube yarn bundles have enhanced hydrophilicity and water absorption. They are separated by distances to form channels corresponding to nerve fiber diameters to be occupied by regenerative nerve tissues. The channel walls have gaps between the yarn bundles for enhanced permeability. The scaffolds have reduced inflammatory infiltration and rejection response and support individual nerve fiber regrowth with a reduced likelihood of undesirable outcomes, such as nerve pain or reduced nerve function.

Shear-thinning biomaterial technology offers enables polymers and drugs loaded inside such polymers to be easily delivered directly through catheters into target area for use, for example, in cancer therapy and immunotherapy. When a force above a certain threshold is applied to inject such materials, they thin and behaves as a semi-solid, allowing the material to readily flow through a catheter. When the force is removed, the material instantly becomes a soft solid with significant cohesive properties that prevent it from dislodging or breaking up. We have developed novel shear-thinning biomaterials using spherical silica nanoparticles and gelatin-based polymers. Rheological tests confirm that these materials have excellent shear-thinning properties and further have improved material properties (e.g. improved stability profiles) as compared conventional materials available to medical professionals.