Abstract: An apparatus provides feedback regarding the material in which tip of the apparatus is located as the tip is advanced into matter of varying resistances. The apparatus responds to a change in pressure, force, or other parameter such that when the tip reaches matter of a certain resistance, a change in the parameter is sensed. The apparatus provides a driving force to a penetrating medical device, such as a needle, when the apparatus tip encounters material of high resistance. When the apparatus tip encounters a low resistance material, no further driving force is applied to the apparatus. An inner core may be advanced into the low resistance material for deployment of a gas or a liquid as desired.

Abstract: A composition includes an isolated cell; at least one particle within said cell; and at least one active agent associated with the particle, wherein the active agent is capable of being released from the cell. A method includes administration of such a cell to a subject.

Abstract: An apparatus provides feedback regarding the material in which tip of the apparatus is located as the tip is advance into matter of varying resistances. The apparatus responds to a change in pressure, force, or other parameter such that when the tip reaches matter of a certain resistance, a change in the parameter is sensed. The apparatus provides a driving force to a penetrating medical device, such as a needle, when the apparatus tip encounters material of high resistance. When the apparatus tip encounters a low resistance material, no further driving force is applied to the apparatus. An inner core may be advanced into the low resistance material for deployment of a gas or a liquid as desired.

Abstract: Pre-polymers for use as tissue sealants and adhesives, and methods of making and using thereof are provided. The pre-polymers have flow characteristics such that they can be applied through a syringe or catheter but are sufficiently viscous to remain in place at the site of application and not run off the tissue. The pre-polymers are also sufficiently hydrophobic to resist washout by bodily fluids. The pre-polymers are stable in bodily fluids; that is the pre-polymer does not spontaneously crosslink in bodily fluids absent the presence of an intentionally applied stimulus to initiate crosslinking. Upon crosslinking, the adhesive exhibits significant adhesive strength in the presence of blood and other bodily fluids. The adhesive is sufficiently elastic that it is able to resist movement of the underlying tissue. The adhesive can provide a hemostatic seal. The adhesive is biodegradable and biocompatible, causing minimal inflammatory response.

Abstract: The present disclosure, among other things, describes cell rolling by 3D flow and adhesive rolling. In some embodiments, a device described herein includes a flow channel dimensioned to permit fluid flow therethrough; at least one 3D structure protruding from at least one surface of the flow channel; and at least one cell adhesion entity coated on at least part of at least one of the 3D structures, which adhesion entity interacts with a target cell brought into contact with the 3D structures by flow of a stream comprising the target cell through the flow channel such that the target cell's trajectory through the flow channel is diverted due to the interaction.

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic biodegradable polymers. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked to form the elastic biodegradable polymer. In preferred embodiments, the cross-linking is performed by functionalization of one or more OR groups on the pre-polymer backbone with vinyl, followed by photopolymerization to form the elastic biodegradable polymer composition or material. Preferably, acrylate is used to add one or more vinyls to the backbone of the pre-polymer to form an acrylated pre-polymer. In various embodiments, acrylated pre-polymers are co-polymerized with one or more acrylated co-polymers.

Abstract: Adhesive articles containing microtopography, such as microprotrusions, and a coating of adhesive glue, such an adhesive having known toxicity and/or tissue reactive functional groups are described herein. The articles described herein contain a substrate, a plurality of microfeatures, and an adhesive, such as an adhesive glue. The articles described herein exhibit a 90° pull off adhesion of at least about 1.5 N/cm2. The articles described herein can contain less adhesive than when the adhesive is used alone without microtopography and yet exhibit equivalent adhesive strength with little or no toxicity or other adverse side effects (e.g., exothermic reaction).

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic biodegradable polymers. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked to form the elastic biodegradable polymer. In preferred embodiments, the cross-linking is performed by functionalization of one or more OR groups on the pre-polymer backbone with vinyl, followed by photopolymerization to form the elastic biodegradable polymer composition or material. Preferably, acrylate is used to add one or more vinyls to the backbone of the pre-polymer to form an acrylated pre-polymer. In various embodiments, acrylated pre-polymers are co-polymerized with one or more acrylated co-polymers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and uses thereof. A devices disclosed herein comprises one or more tips, wherein the one or more tips are designed and constructed to initiate penetration by the device; and one or more protrusions in a region adjacent to each tip. In some embodiments, one or more protrusions can be constructed and arranged so that the required penetration force is reduced as compared with that observed for an otherwise identical device lacking the one or more protrusions. Additionally or alternatively, one or more protrusions can be constructed and arranged such that the required pull-out force is increased as compared with that observed for an otherwise identical device lacking the one or more protrusions.

Abstract: Self-assembled gel compositions including a gelator, e.g., an enzyme-cleavable gelator, e.g., having a molecular weight of 2500 or less, are described. The self-assembled gel compositions can encapsulate one or more agents. Methods of making the self-assembled gel compositions, and methods of drug delivery using the self-assembled gel compositions are also described.

Abstract: Among other things, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for an elastomeric cross-linked polyester material. Such an elastomeric cross-linked polyester material, in some embodiments, comprises a plurality of polymeric units of the general formula (-A-B—)p, wherein p is an integer greater than 1; and a plurality of urethane cross-links each of which covalently links two polymeric units to one another, which two linked polymeric unit each had at least one free hydroxyl or amino group prior to formation of the crosslink.

Abstract: A composition includes an isolated cell, wherein a surface of the cell is attached to a nucleic acid that specifically binds to a non-nucleic target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting metal exposure to tissues.

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic biodegradable polymers. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked to form the elastic biodegradable polymer. In preferred embodiments, the cross-linking is performed by functionalization of one or more OR groups on the pre-polymer backbone with vinyl, followed by photopolymerization to form the elastic biodegradable polymer composition or material. Preferably, acrylate is used to add one or more vinyls to the backbone of the pre-polymer to form an acrylated pre-polymer. In various embodiments, acrylated pre-polymers are co-polymerized with one or more acrylated co-polymers.

Abstract: A composition includes an isolated cell; at least one particle within said cell; and at least one active agent associated with the particle, wherein the active agent is capable of being released from the cell. A method includes administration of such a cell to a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods based on implantable contrast agents that are useful for imaging tissue and organs.

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic biodegradable polymers. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked to form the elastic biodegradable polymer. In preferred embodiments, the cross-linking is performed by functionalization of one or more OR groups on the pre-polymer backbone with vinyl, followed by photopolymerization to form the elastic biodegradable polymer composition or material. Preferably, acrylate is used to add one or more vinyls to the backbone of the pre-polymer to form an acrylated pre-polymer. In various embodiments, acrylated pre-polymers are co-polymerized with one or more acrylated co-polymers.

Abstract: This invention discloses drug-delivery compositions, methods of making prodrugs, and methods of drug delivery using a self-assembled gelator. The backbone of the gelator can contain a drug or prodrug, such as acetaminophen or salicin. Additional drugs or agents can be encapsulated in the gelator. Enzymatic or hydrolytic cleavage can be used to release the drugs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for engineering the surface of a cell, wherein a targeting moiety and/or a particle are attached to the cell membrane. The particle can further comprise a therapeutic agent for drug delivery. The compositions disclosed herein are useful in the treatment of diseased or damaged tissue by targeting cells for the purpose of tissue regeneration, drug delivery or a combination of both.

Abstract: An apparatus provides feedback regarding the material in which tip of the apparatus is located as the tip is advance into matter of varying resistances. The apparatus responds to a change in pressure, force, or other parameter such that when the tip reaches matter of a certain resistance, a change in the parameter is sensed. The apparatus provides a driving force to a penetrating medical device, such as a needle, when the apparatus tip encounters material of high resistance. When the apparatus tip encounters a low resistance material, no further driving force is applied to the apparatus. An inner core may be advanced into the low resistance material for deployment of a gas or a liquid as desired.