Abstract: A prodrug composition containing a cinnamate moiety and a biologically active molecule moiety which can be released by hydrolysis or activated by light is disclosed. The cinnamate moiety can have substituents of various electronically donating or electronically withdrawing groups to modify the cinnamate moiety's electric properties as well as photo reactivities for the purpose of achieving a proper hydrolysis rate of the acyl bond between the biologically active molecule moiety and the cinnamic acid backbone. The biologically active molecule can be any biologically active agent or diagnostic, for example, a chemotherapeutic such as a paclitaxel, campotothecin, doxorubicin, amethopterin, etoposide, or fluconazole. The prodrug composition can be modified to add a carrier moiety on the prodrug composition for targeting or to facilitate uptake of the drug. The prodrug compositions can be activated with an energy source to release the drug at the desired site.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of coating the lumenal surface of a blood vessel, or other tissue cavity, and to compositions suitable for use in same.

Abstract: A method of anastomosing two hollow bodily organs using a bioadhesive. The method involves apposing apertures in the organs to be joined and applying the bioadhesive, thereby joining the apertures in the organs and allowing movement of fluid or semi-solid material from one of the two organs to the second organ. The invention also relates to a device for anastomosing two hollow organs. The device has two inflatable balloons, one of which is placed into the lumen each of the two organs to be joined. Inflation of the balloons holds the apertures together while the bioadhesive is applied. The device allows anastomosis of blood vessels through endoscopic means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a tissue graft material. The invention also relates to a multipurpose tissue graft material and to methods of using same as a replacement for vascular and non-vascular tissue.

Abstract: Liquid, injectable, aqueous solutions are transformed in situ to an expandable foam-like, space filling, and adherent biomaterial. Preferably, the foam-like biomaterial is the reaction product of a two-part liquid system to achieve the in situ formation thereof. The liquid system is generally comprised of a protein solution and a cross linker solution which may either be premixed and then applied to a site in need of the biomaterial, or simultaneously mixed and delivered through an in-line mixing/dispensing tip directly to the site. In especially preferred embodiments, an expandable foam-like biomaterial includes the reaction product of human or animal-derived protein material and a di- or polyaldehyde in the presence of a bicarbonate and an acidic titrant amounts sufficient to impart a cellular foam structure to the material.

Abstract: Bioprosthetic devices include an exterior biological tissue member which at least partly defines a cavity, and a proteinaceous biopolymer which fills the cavity, and intercalates and is chemically bound (fixed) to the tissue of the surrounding biological tissue member. In preferred forms, the bioprosthetic device is a bioprosthetic vertebral disc having a fibrillar outer annulus which surrounds and defines an interior cavity and is formed by removal of at least a substantial portion of the natural gelatinous core therefrom. The cavity defined by the fibrillar outer annulus may then be filled with a flowable proteinaceous biopolymer. Preferably, the proteinaceous biopolymer is a liquid mixture comprised of human or animal-derived protein material and a di- or polyaldehyde, which are allowed to react in situ to form a cross-linked biopolymer within the cavity. The liquid mixture may be formed in advance of being introduced into the cavity, or may be formed simultaneously during introduction into the cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of coating the lumenal surface of a blood vessel, or other tissue cavity, and to compositions suitable for use in same.

Abstract: A method of anastomosing two hollow bodily organs using a bioadhesive. The method involves apposing apertures in the organs to be joined and applying the bioadhesive, thereby joining the apertures in the organs and allowing movement of fluid or semi-solid material from one of the two organs to the second organ. The invention also relates to a device for anastomosing two hollow organs. The device has two inflatable balloons, one of which is placed into the lumen each of the two organs to be joined. Inflation of the balloons holds the apertures together while the bioadhesive is applied. The device allows anastomosis of blood vessels through endoscopic means.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to tissue decellularization and, in particular to a method of treating tissues, for example, heart valves, tendons and ligaments, so as to render them acellular and thereby limit mineralization and/or immunoreactivity upon implementation in vivo.

Abstract: A closed, sterile pulsatile flow loop for studying tissue valves. The system provides both a tool to examine heart valve leaflet fibroblast function and differentiation as these are affected by mechanical loading, as well as an apparatus to provide heart valves seeded with suitable cells. The sterile pulsatile flow system provides a left heart duplicator, which exposes viable tissue valves to a dynamic flow environment imitating that of the aortic valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and formulations for site-specific immune suppression of immune/inflammatory responses with localized or topical application of immunosuppressants including cyclosporines, rapamycins (RPM), or combinations of immunosuppressants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Methods for the use of said formulations to effect site-specific immune suppression of local inflammatory/immune responses in mammalian tissue and for treatment of autoimmune, T-cell mediated immune disease, inflammatory conditions, inhibition of contact hypersensitivity, and for producing prolonged skin allograft survival, and wound healing are presented. In addition, methods for use of said formulations--in tandem with systemic applications of immunosuppressant such as cyclosporine or without same--are presented. The present invention also relates to alternative formulations and delivery systems for the efficacious treatment of the aforementioned conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations for the topical application of cyclosporin to skin tissue for treatment of autoimmune, T-cell mediated immune disease, and inflammatory conditions, and for producing prolonged skin allograft survival and wound healing. In addition, methods for the use of said formulations--in tandem with systemic applications of cyclosporin or without same--are suggested. The present invention also suggests alternative formulations and delivery systems for the efficacious treatment of the aforementioned conditions, and further suggests a model with which formulations may be tested.