Abstract: Miscible antifoams are provided that do not separate out of a target liquid and that are easy to incorporate in the target liquid. A method or system involves mixing a liquid (‘a miscible antifoam’) into a target foaming liquid. This miscible antifoam is engineered/chosen such that it has both a higher surface tension and is more volatile than the target liquid, or engineered such that it has both a lower surface tension and is less volatility than the target liquid. The miscible antifoam leads to surface tension gradients that cause bubble rupture up to 10 times faster than the target liquid without the antifoam. Further, the miscible antifoams are easy to incorporate and do not separate out from the target liquid during operation—both of which are key limitations faced by existing antifoams.

Abstract: Dynamic thin film interferometry is a technique used to non-invasively characterize the thickness of thin liquid films that are evolving in both space and time. Recovering the underlying thickness from the captured interferograms, unconditionally and automatically is still an open problem. A compact setup is provided employing a snapshot hyperspectral camera and the related algorithms for the automated determination of thickness profiles of dynamic thin liquid films. The technique is shown to recover film thickness profiles to within 100 nm of accuracy as compared to those profiles reconstructed through the manual color matching process. Characteristics and advantages of hyperspectral interferometry are discussed including the increased robustness against imaging noise as well as the ability to perform thickness reconstruction without considering the absolute light intensity information.

Abstract: Dynamic thin film interferometry is a technique used to non-invasively characterize the thickness of thin liquid films that are evolving in both space and time. Recovering the underlying thickness from the captured interferograms, unconditionally and automatically is still an open problem. A compact setup is provided employing a snapshot hyperspectral camera and the related algorithms for the automated determination of thickness profiles of dynamic thin liquid films. The technique is shown to recover film thickness profiles to within 100 nm of accuracy as compared to those profiles reconstructed through the manual color matching process. Characteristics and advantages of hyperspectral interferometry are discussed including the increased robustness against imaging noise as well as the ability to perform thickness reconstruction without considering the absolute light intensity information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a therapeutic device (graft) comprising a collagen membrane having an aligned uniaxial or biaxial structure such that mammalian cells plated on the membrane align mainly along the direction of the collagen fibrils. In a further aspect, a graft comprising a substantially tubular body, wherein the body has an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least one lumen extending therethrough such that a fluid flow through the lumen can direct mammalian cell migration. In a further aspect, mammalian cells or growth and angiogenic factors can be optionally attached to the exterior and/or interior surface of the substantially tubular body. In various aspects, the graft can be used as a vascular prosthesis, a stent, or a nerve regeneration scaffold. Methods of preparing and implanting same are also provided.

Abstract: An interfacial dewetting and drainage optical platform (i-DDrOP) is provided which is an instrument that can quantify drainage and dewetting processes of in vitro model tear films covering contact lenses.

Abstract: An interfacial dewetting and drainage optical platform (i-DDrOP) is provided which is an instrument that can quantify drainage and dewetting processes of in vitro model tear films covering contact lenses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a therapeutic device (graft) comprising a collagen membrane having an aligned uniaxial or biaxial structure such that mammalian cells plated on the membrane align mainly along the direction of the collagen fibrils. In a further aspect, a graft comprising a substantially tubular body, wherein the body has an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least one lumen extending therethrough such that a fluid flow through the lumen can direct mammalian cell migration. In a further aspect, mammalian cells or growth and angiogenic factors can be optionally attached to the exterior and/or interior surface of the substantially tubular body. In various aspects, the graft can be used as a vascular prosthesis, a stent, or a nerve regeneration scaffold. Methods of preparing and implanting same are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique.

Abstract: Techniques for the production of flow-oriented collagen gels using hydrodynamics to influence the assembly of collagen fibers. Highly concentrated monomeric solutions of collagen are subjected to shear and extensional flow as they are drawn onto a substrate to induce fibrillogenesis under a high Ph buffer. The produced gel captures the flow induced ordering of molecular collagen upon fibril formation. The depositing or the induction of fibrillogenosis occurs without the application of a magnetic field to the concentration of collagen. These highly oriented 3D scaffolds are capable inducing contact guidance and guiding mammalian cell growth. The collagen fibers mimic the construction of in vivo fibers with the characteristic D-periodicity and the integrin receptors on the fibroblasts respond to this organization. The industrial applications of three-dimensional collagen gels as a biomaterial are widespread from drug delivery to burn repair or tissue engineering system.

Abstract: Techniques for the production of flow-oriented collagen gels using hydrodynamics to influence the assembly of collagen fibers. Highly concentrated monomeric solutions of collagen are subjected to shear and extensional flow as they are drawn onto a substrate to induce fibrillogenesis under a high Ph buffer. The produced gel captures the flow induced ordering of molecular collagen upon fibril formation. The depositing or the induction of fibrillogenosis occurs without the application of a magnetic field to the concentration of collagen. These highly oriented 3D scaffolds are capable inducing contact guidance and guiding mammalian cell growth. The collagen fibers mimic the construction of in vivo fibers with the characteristic D-periodicity and the integrin receptors on the fibroblasts respond to this organization. The industrial applications of three-dimensional collagen gels as a biomaterial are widespread from drug delivery to burn repair or tissue engineering system.

Abstract: In general, the present invention is related to collagen compositions and thin films, and to methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to “woven pattern” or “basket pattern” collagen compositions and thin films, and methods of making.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique.

Abstract: Sol-gel compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides thermoreversible sol-gel compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique.

Abstract: In general, the present invention is related to collagen compositions and thin films, and to methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to “woven pattern” or “basket pattern” collagen compositions and thin films, and methods of making.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing rheological measurements of interfaces located at the top of fluid sub-phases. In one configuration, a rotating rheometer is provided with a chamber wall whose inner surface defines an outer chamber radius and an inner cylinder disposed within the cylindrical chamber and having an inner chamber radius. The rotating rheometer is configured to hold a liquid sub-phase and interface layer that can be probed using a circular ribbon that is concentric with and suspended between the inner cylinder and chamber wall. The ratio of the ribbon radius, inner chamber radius, and outer chamber radius is designed to yield an average shear rate in the inner region that is the same as an average shear rate in the outer region. In one configuration, an interface-pinning feature is provided on at least one of the inner cylinder and the chamber wall.

Abstract: Techniques for the production of flow-oriented collagen gels using hydrodynamics to influence the assembly of collagen fibers. Highly concentrated monomeric solutions of collagen are subjected to shear and extensional flow as they are drawn onto a substrate to induce fibrillogenesis under a high Ph buffer. The produced gel captures the flow induced ordering of molecular collagen upon fibril formation. The depositing or the induction of fibrillogenosis occurs without the application of a magnetic field to the concentration of collagen. These highly oriented 3D scaffolds are capable inducing contact guidance and guiding mammalian cell growth. The collagen fibers mimic the construction of in vivo fibers with the characteristic D-periodicity and the integrin receptors on the fibroblasts respond to this organization. The industrial applications of three-dimensional collagen gels as a biomaterial are widespread from drug delivery to burn repair or tissue engineering system.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing rheological measurements of interfaces located at the top of fluid sub-phases. In one configuration, a rotating rheometer is provided with a chamber wall whose inner surface defines an outer chamber radius and an inner cylinder disposed within the cylindrical chamber and having an inner chamber radius. The rotating rheometer is configured to hold a liquid sub-phase and interface layer that can be probed using a circular ribbon that is concentric with and suspended between the inner cylinder and chamber wall. The ratio of the ribbon radius, inner chamber radius, and outer chamber radius is designed to yield an average shear rate in the inner region that is the same as an average shear rate in the outer region. In one configuration, an interface-pinning feature is provided on at least one of the inner cylinder and the chamber wall.