Abstract: A method of making decorative glass objects of any of a wide variety of appearances, structures and functions teaches that recycled glass bottles may be cut into disks, rings and other shapes using a diamond dust blade on a bandsaw, then firing the glass objects in a glass kiln to the point of slumping but not to melting, and finally by grinding the objects with a diamond head glass grinder. Glass objects made by the method of the invention betray their recycled origins with an eye-pleasing organic quality to finish and shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for electrically inducing, pharmacologically maintaining cardiac asystole. The present invention also provides cutaneous array electrodes (900) that may be used non-invasive to stimulate the vagus nerve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water soluble, randomly substituted partial N-, partial O-acetylated chitosans or chitosan derivatives and methods of preparing water soluble, randomly substituted partial N-, partial O-acetylated chitosans or chitosan derivatives comprising the steps of dissolving the chitosan or chitosan derivative into an aqueous acidic solution and reacting the chitosan or chitosan derivative with an acetylating agent in the presence of a phase transfer reagent. The present invention is further directed to a pharmaceutical preserving composition comprising: (a) at least one chitosan or chitosan derivative and (b) at least one buffer solution, as well as methods of preserving contact lens solutions and disinfecting contact lens using such composition.

Abstract: A hydrogel string that is useful as a medical device and a method for forming a hydrogel string that utilizes a delivery device in which gelation of a prepolymer is initiated to form a hydrogel, which is then extruded from the device as the hydrogel string.

Abstract: A prosthetic spinal disc nucleus pulposus formed from a hydrogel formed by crosslinking a macromer having a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure and at least two pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and an amphiphilic comonomer.

Abstract: A bioreactor and methods of using same for making tissue constructs and for conditioning tissue-engineered constructs and harvested tissues such as cryopreserved tissues. The bioreactor allows for static and dynamic culture/conditioning. The bioreactor is dual chambered (one chamber above and one below the cells or construct) to allow for application of biochemical and/or biomechanical stimuli to each side of the cells/construct.

Abstract: A method for indirectly stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient includes the steps of positioning one or more electrodes in the vicinity of the vagus nerve and then actuating the electrode(s) to create an electrical field for stimulating the vagus nerve. Disclosed embodiments include positioning one or more electrodes in the esophagus, trachea, or jugular vein, on the neck of the patient, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for indirectly stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient includes electrodes positioned within the esophagus, trachea, or a jugular vein of a patient, on the neck of the patient, or in combinations of these locations. The apparatus further includes a means for actuating the electrodes to create an electrical field for stimulating the vagus nerve.

Abstract: Hydrogel biomedical articles formed from macromers having a polymeric backbone comprising 1,2-diol and/or 1,3-diol units, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers.

Abstract: Vesicles made from amphiphilic copolymers are disclosed. The amphiphilic copolymers can be ABA copolymers, where one of A and B is hydrophilic and the other is hydrophobic. AB copolymers can also be used. The copolymers may be crosslinked to form nanocapsules. Crosslinking can be accomplished using a variety of methods, including end to end polymerization of copolymers having terminal unsaturated groups. Molecules, such as membrane proteins, can be incorporated into the wall of the vesicles or nanocapsules.

Abstract: Membranes made from amphiphilic copolymers are disclosed. The amphiphilic copolymers can be ABA copolymers, where one of A and B is hydrophilic and the other is hydrophobic. The copolymers may be crosslinked to form more stable structures. Crosslinking can be accomplished using a variety of methods, including end to end polymerization of copolymers having terminal unsaturated groups. Molecules such as membrane proteins can be incorporated into the membrane to allow the transport there through of selected components.

Abstract: Biodegradable biocompatible hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) and methods for their preparation. The methods for preparation of the hydrogels involve the use of prepolymers. The prepolymers have a PVA backbone and pendant chains that include a polymerizable group. In one embodiment, the pendant chains also include a biodegradable region. In another embodiment, biodegradable regions are incorporated into the hydrogel during its formation.

Abstract: Embolic compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as embolic agents to block and fill lumens and spaces. The embolic compositions can be used as liquid embolic agents and crosslinked in situ or as preformed embolic articles, such as microspheres.

Abstract: Compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising units having a 1,2-diol and/or 1,3-diol structure for tissue bulking and coating. Such polymers include poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hydrolyzed copolymers of vinyl acetate, for example, copolymers with vinyl chloride, N-vinylpyrrolidone, etc. The backbone polymer contains pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as agents to bulk and coat tissues.

Abstract: Polymeric hollow particles for delivery of an agent are provided that change permeability in response to a change in an external stimulus such as pH, temperature, light, ionic strength, electric field, magnetic field and/or solvent composition. The particles can have a shell formed of an amphiphilic triblock ABA or BAB copolymer, where A is a hydrophilic block and B is a hydrophobic block. Low permeability particles with a reversibly permeable shell expand and increase permeability in response to a stimulus so that an active agent such as a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent can be introduced. Removing the stimulus allows the particles to return to a low permeability state to form particles loaded with the active agent. Surfaces of the particles can be modified with specific ligands that allow the particles to be directed to a specific target via molecular recognition.