Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a chronic wound including administering to the wound at least one agent from a delivery system wherein the agent induces sequential conversion of a first population of wound macrophages in the wound to M2A macrophages and a second population of wound macrophages to M2C macrophages. The sequential conversion of the wound macrophages promotes tissue remodeling.

Abstract: The current invention provides an enclosure that can be placed over a patient in order to contain bodily fluids. The device includes a clear plastic sheet that fits snugly over a frame. The sides of the device contain access ports for physicians or their instruments to enter the patient’s area. These ports may be holes or hanging strips of sheet that overlap so that they form a sufficient seal while also allowing easy access to the patient when pushed aside. The bottoms of the sheet may contain weights to hold the sheet down. There is the possibility of including filters or positive/negative air flow ports. The entire device may be disposable. The frame may be solid, or the frame may pop open like an enclosure or umbrella. The device may also have straps that can be tightened underneath the bed or stretcher to secure the entire device in place.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a composition comprising at least one monocyte comprising an agent that increases monocyte homing to a site of injury, and an effective amount of a drug. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of using the composition to deliver a drug to a site of injury.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a computer-implemented method of predicting whether a wound will heal or will not heal. The computer-implemented method includes: training a machine-learning algorithm utilizing at least: gene-expression values for at least m genes from a first clinical encounter for each of a plurality of training subjects; and a clinical diagnosis of a wound for each of the associated training subjects at a second, temporally later clinical encounter; and applying the previously trained machine-learning algorithm to gene-expression values for a corresponding set of m genes from a new subject having a wound; and presenting a prediction of whether the wound will heal generated by the previously trained artificial neural network machine-learning algorithm.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a chronic wound including administering to the wound at least one agent from a delivery system wherein the agent induces sequential conversion of a first population of wound macrophages in the wound to M2A macrophages and a second population of wound macrophages to M2C macrophages. The sequential conversion of the wound macrophages promotes tissue remodeling.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of sequentially inducing macrophage conversion in a wound. The method includes: (a) administering IL-4 to induce conversion of a first population of wound macrophages in the wound to M2A macrophages; and then (b) administering IL-10, dexamethasone, or a dexamethasone analog to induce conversion of a second population of wound macrophages in the wound to M2C macrophages.

Abstract: A shunt prosthesis comprises a synthetic tube having an inner wall defining a fixed inner diameter of the synthetic tube and a layer of hydrogel of a predetermined thickness coating the inner wall of the synthetic tube such that the layer of hydrogel has a fixed outer diameter and such that an inner diameter of the layer of hydrogel defines a diameter of a lumen extending through and defined by the shunt prosthesis. The layer of hydrogel being configured such that the predetermined thickness of the layer of hydrogel is reducable in vivo over a predetmined period of time by controlling the crosslinking density of the layer of hydrogel. A method of controlling flow through a shunt prosthesis is also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a composition comprising at least one monocyte comprising an agent that increases monocyte homing to a site of injury, and an effective amount of a drug. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of using the composition to deliver a drug to a site of injury.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of sequentially inducing macrophage conversion in a wound. The method includes: (a) administering IL-4 to induce conversion of a first population of wound macrophages in the wound to M2A macrophages; and then (b) administering IL-10, dexamethasone, or a dexamethasone analog to induce conversion of a second population of wound macrophages in the wound to M2C macrophages.

Abstract: A tendon reinforcement assembly includes a rivet having a female portion having a female free end, a female connecting end, and a female portion axial passage extending therethrough. A male portion has a male free end, a male connecting end adapted to be inserted into the female free end, and a male portion axial passage extending therethrough. The male portion axial passage extends coaxially with the female portion axial passage. A suture extends through the male portion axial passage and the female portion axial passage. The suture has a first suture end extending outwardly of the male free end and a second suture end extending outwardly of the female free end.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and compositions of hydrogel microspheres for inducing macrophage conversion by sequentially converting a first population of wound macrophages in a wound to M2A macrophages by exposing the first population of wound macrophages to IL-4 and converting a second population of wound macrophages to M2C macrophages by exposing the second population of wound macrophages to IL-10. One aspect describes a method of inducing macrophage conversion in a wound. Another aspect describes compositions and methods of preparing a hydrogel microsphere for wound healing. Yet another aspect describes methods for treating a chronic wound with hydrogel microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and compositions of hydrogel microspheres for inducing macrophage conversion by sequentially converting a first population of wound macrophages in a wound to M2A macrophages by exposing the first population of wound macrophages to IL-4 and converting a second population of wound macrophages to M2C macrophages by exposing the second population of wound macrophages to IL-10. One aspect describes a method of inducing macrophage conversion in a wound. Another aspect describes compositions and methods of preparing a hydrogel microsphere for wound healing. Yet another aspect describes methods for treating a chronic wound with hydrogel microspheres.