Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for a nanofiber wrap to minimize inflation and scarring of nerve tissue and maximize the nutrient transport. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a novel semi-permeable nanofiber construct prepared from biocompatible materials. The nanofiber construct is applied around a nerve repair site following end-to-end anastomosis. The nanofiber construct is porous and composed of randomly oriented nanofibers prepare using an electrospinning method. The nanofiber construct has a wall that is approximately 50-100 ?m thick with pores smaller than 25 ?m. The nanofiber construct prevents inflammatory cells from migrating into the nerve coaption site, while still permitting the diffusion of growth factors and essential nutrients. The nanofiber construct allows for enhanced neuroregeneration and optimal function outcomes.

Abstract: The presently disclosed composition and methods are provided for a hydrogel or nanofiber-hydrogel composite integrated with a surgical scaffold or mesh. A surgical scaffold device comprised of laminar composite is disclosed for the purpose of reducing foreign body response, managing tissue-materials interface, and improving the integration of the surgical mesh with the surrounding tissue of a subject.

Abstract: Ophthalmic suture materials made from biocompatible and biodegradable polymers with high tensile strength for use in drug delivery, methods of making them, and method of using them for ocular surgery and repair have been developed. The suture materials are made from a combination of a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer and a hydrophilic biocompatible polymer. In a preferred embodiment the suture materials are made from a poly(hydroxyl acid) such as poly(1-lactic acid) and a polyalkylene oxide such as poly(ethylene glycol) or a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer. The sutures entrap (e.g., encapsulate) one or more therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents and provide prolonged release over a period of at least a week, preferably a month.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for continuously generating uniform polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles comprising: flowing a first stream comprising one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers at a first variable flow rate into a confined chamber; flowing a second stream comprising one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers at a second variable flow rate into the confined chamber; and impinging the first stream and the second stream in the confined chamber until the Reynolds number is from about 1,000 to about 20,000, thereby causing the one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers and the one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers to undergo a polyelectrolyte complexation process that continuously generates PEC nanoparticles. Compositions produced from the presently disclosed methods and a device for producing the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a scalable and electrostretching approach for generating hydrogel microfibers exhibiting uniaxial alignment from aqueous polymer solutions. Such hydrogel microfibers can be generated from a variety of water-soluble natural polymers or synthetic polymers. The hydrogel microfibers can be used for controlled release of bioactive agents. The internal uniaxial alignment exhibited by the presently disclosed hydrogel fibers provides improved mechanical properties to hydrogel microfibers, and contact guidance cues and induces alignment for cells seeded on or within the hydrogel microfibers.

Abstract: The presently disclosed composition and methods are provided for an in situ forming nanofiber-hydrogel composite, which is formed using non-covalent binding schemes between the fiber surface and hydrogel-forming polymers. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying the said composite material to a soft tissue defect.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a coating composition which allows for the co-delivery of two or more bioactive agents with independent control of loading level and release profile for each bioactive agent, an implantable medical device coated with the coating composition, and methods for preparing the coating composition.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a scalable and electrostretching approach for generating microfibers exhibiting uniaxial alignment from polymer solutions. Such microfibers can be generated from a variety of natural polymers or synthetic polymers. The hydrogel microfibers can be used for controlled release of bioactive agents. The internal uniaxial alignment exhibited by the presently disclosed fibers provides improved mechanical properties to microfibers, contact guidance cues and induces alignment for cells seeded on or within the microfibers.

Abstract: The presently disclosed composition and methods are provided for a hydrogel or nanofiber-hydrogel composite integrated with a surgical scaffold or mesh. A surgical scaffold device comprised of laminar composite is disclosed for the purpose of reducing foreign body response, managing tissue-materials interface, and improving the integration of the surgical mesh with the surrounding tissue of a subject.

Abstract: The presently disclosed composition and methods are provided for a nanofiber-hydrogel composite containing adipose cell binding moieties. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying an adipose cell-binding composite material to a soft tissue defect in combination with exogenous adipose-derived cells or endogenous cells recruited from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymeric micellar nanoparticle composition comprising a block or graft copolymer comprising at least one polycationic polymer and at least one polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer having an average molecular weight less than 1 kDa, and at least one nucleic acid, wherein the graft or block copolymer and at least one nucleic acid are complexed and condensed into a shaped micellar nanoparticle that is stable in biological media are disclosed. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides a method for preparing the presently disclosed polymeric micellar nanoparticle compositions, a method for targeting at least one metastatic cancer cell in a subject, and a method for treating a disease or condition using the presently disclosed polymeric micellar nanoparticle compositions.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the compositions and methods of preparing hydrogel-grafted nerve guides for peripheral nerve regeneration. Particularly, the present invention describes the nerve guides and methods for preparation of hydrogel-grafted nerve guides with encapsulated neurotrophic factors and a nanofiber mesh lining the inner surface of the guide. The present invention also provides methods for peripheral nerve repair using these hydrogel-grafted nerve guides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the compositions and methods of preparing hydrogel-grafted nerve guides for peripheral nerve regeneration. Particularly, the present invention describes the nerve guides and methods for preparation of hydrogel-grafted nerve guides with encapsulated neurotrophic factors and a nanofiber mesh lining the inner surface of the guide. The present invention also provides methods for peripheral nerve repair using these hydrogel-grafted nerve guides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for a nanofiber wrap to minimize inflation and scarring of nerve tissue and maximize the nutrient transport. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a novel semi-permeable nanofiber construct prepared from biocompatible materials. The nanofiber construct is applied around a nerve repair site following end-to-end anastomosis. The nanofiber construct is porous and composed of randomly oriented nanofibers prepare using an electrospinning method. The nanofiber construct has a wall that is approximately 50-100 ?m thick with pores smaller than 25 ?m. The nanofiber construct prevents inflammatory cells from migrating into the nerve coaption site, while still permitting the diffusion of growth factors and essential nutrients. The nanofiber construct allows for enhanced neuroregeneration and optimal function outcomes.

Abstract: Ophthalmic suture materials made from biocompatible and biodegradable polymers with high tensile strength for use in drug delivery, methods of making them, and method of using them for ocular surgery and repair have been developed. The suture materials are made from a combination of a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer and a hydrophilic biocompatible polymer. In a preferred embodiment the suture materials are made from a poly(hydroxyl acid) such as poly(1-lactic acid) and a polyalkylene oxide such as poly(ethylene glycol) or a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer. The sutures entrap (e.g., encapsulate) one or more therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents and provide prolonged release over a period of at least a week, preferably a month.

Abstract: A device and methods of use thereof for isolating one or more microorganisms from a biological sample, the device comprising a polymeric surface having one or more cationic polymers covalently grafted thereto, wherein the one or more cationic polymers have a selective affinity for the one or more microorganisms.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for continuously generating uniform polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles comprising: flowing a first stream comprising one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers at a first variable flow rate into a confined chamber; flowing a second stream comprising one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers at a second variable flow rate into the confined chamber; and impinging the first stream and the second stream in the confined chamber until the Reynolds number is from about 1,000 to about 20,000, thereby causing the one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers and the one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers to undergo a polyelectrolyte complexation process that continuously generates PEC nanoparticles. Compositions produced from the presently disclosed methods and a device for producing the compositions are also disclosed.