Abstract:
This invention relates to compositions and methods related to biocompatible conductive inks. In a preferred embodiment the inks are printable onto biocompatible substrates and are used in the creation of biocompatible medical devices, in general, the inks comprise a plurality of particles. In one embodiment, the particles have a particle surface and an agent on the particle surface, the agent configured to prevent the particles from agglomerating when the particles are in a solution, the agent also configured to allow adjacent particle surfaces to be in contact when the particles are not in the solution due to an opening in the agent.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of delivery of a therapeutic agent to a target cell the method comprising targeting particles comprising the therapeutic agent to the cell using magnetic means to apply a magnetic force to said particles so as to tend to move said particles towards said magnetic means and at the same time moving said magnetic means.
Abstract:
The present invention provides diagnostic methods and devices that can be used to assay a medium, such as tissue in vivo or a sample in vitro {e.g., biological sample or environmental sample), in order to determine the presence, quantity, and/or concentration ratio of one or more target analytes.
Abstract:
The subject invention provides materials and methods for improved tissue engineering. Specifically, the current invention pertains to the identification of advantageous extracellular matrix material scaffold coatings that can be used as described herein to modulate cell seeding, attachment, culturing, proliferation, and/or differentiation to a target cell. In a further embodiment, the scaffolds of the subject invention are used to modulate stem cells. In specific embodiments, a basement membrane preparation or gelatin can be used to coat polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds used for seeding, attaching, culturing, proliferating, and/or differentiating cells.
Abstract:
The subject invention pertains to an elastic sheath, device, and methods for disrupting and/or removing occlusive material from lumens, particularly biological lumens, such as the vasculature, ureter, urethra, fallopian tubes, bile duct, intestines, and the like. The subject invention provides for effective disruption and removal of occlusive material, such as a thrombus, from the body lumen with minimal risk of injury to the lumen wall. Advantageously, the invention can be used to achieve a high degree of removal while minimizing the amount of occlusive material that is released into the body lumen. The subject invention further pertains to methods for disrupting and removing occlusive material from a biological lumen. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a device useful as an in vitro model of luminal occlusion and methods for using the device to test the efficacy of devices and methods for treating luminal occlusions.
Abstract:
A flowable, biodegradable endovascular embolic composition effective for embolizing a vascular defect consisting essentially of: (a) a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer or polymeric material forming composition; (b) a biocompatible embolic solvent for the polymer or polymer forming composition capable of diffusion into mammalian tissue; (c) biocompatible magnetic particles responsive to a magnetic field; wherein: the polymer or polymeric forming material and solvent are present in the composition in amounts and relative proportions such that (1) the composition is deliverable to a vascular defect site and (2) upon delivery to the site, solidifies into an embolic mass; and the magnetic particles are present in the composition in an amount sufficient to enable the composition being deliverable to the vascular site by a magnetic field. Also disclosed are methods and articles of manufacture embodying the above-described composition.
Abstract:
This invention relates to methods and compositions for materials having a non-leaching coating that has antimicrobial properties. The coating is applied to substrates such as gauze-type wound dressings, powders and other substrates. Covalent, non-leaching, non-hydrolyzable bonds are formed between the substrate and the polymer molecules that form the coating. A high concentration of anti-microbial groups on multi-length polymer chains and relatively long average chain lengths, contribute to an absorbent or superabsorbent surface with a high level antimicrobial efficacy.
Abstract:
A surface plasmon sensor (10) is provided having an array of shaped protuberances (12) with a metallic surface (20). The array of shaped protuberances (12) provides for substantially high enhancement factors and increased sensitivity in use. Methods for making the surface plasmon sensors (10) are also provided.
Abstract:
The subject invention provides novel devices and methods for the detection of the presence and/or activity of proteases in biological samples.