Abstract: A system and method for protecting biological or other material from contamination through the steps of filling, freeze-drying, packaging, storing and use are disclosed. A system can include a flexible container, a membrane configured to transmit air or solvent vapor out of the flexible container, and a membrane frame supporting the membrane and engaged with at least one column member. The at least one column member can be configured to maintain the membrane and the membrane frame a spaced distance from one or more contents received within the flexible container. Upon application of a downward force, the at least one column member can assume a collapsed configuration. A method can include inserting a biological material, for example, into a flexible container, freeze-drying the biological material, moving the freeze-dried biological material to a portion of the flexible container that includes at least one port, and sealing the biological material within the portion.

Abstract: A method of sealing a durotomy from which cerebrospinal fluid is leaking. A durotomy sealant dressing is prepared by applying an active agent to a dextran base. The durotomy sealant dressing is applied to a durotomy. At least a portion of the durotomy sealant dressing dissolves. The durotomy is sealed with the dissolved durotomy sealant dressing to substantially prevent cerebrospinal fluid from flowing through the durotomy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fibrinogen preparations enriched in ?-extended fibrinogen. Compositions comprising such preparations show improved clotting properties compared to preparations based on HMW Fib which typically contain no or only low amounts of ?-extended fibrinogen. In particular, clot formation time and the clot strength of a clot made by ?-extended fibrinogen are improved. In addition, plasmin-mediated degradation of ?-extended fibrinogen is reduced as compared to plasma derived fibrinogen.

Abstract: A wound management system can comprise a surgically acceptable adhesive disposed over a wound and a surgically acceptable film repositionably disposed over the surgically acceptable adhesive, and methods of managing a wound involving the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a plastic material from a protein source, the method characterized by the following steps; i) treating a protein source such as blood meal with at least one denaturing agent, such as a combination of urea, sodium sulfite and sodium dodecyl sulfate, to break interactions between proteins or portions thereof, and ii) treating the denatured protein source with sufficient pressure and temperature to consolidate the denatured protein source into a plastic material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making an animal blood adhesive and the resulting adhesive composition. The adhesive is made by adding to fresh, whole animal blood, without dewatering the blood, an anticoagulant and a preservative. Lime is then added to the anticoagulated, preserved blood, and the pH is adjusted to between about 9 and about 11. A curing agent (such as potassium silicate, sodium silicate and aluminum dihydrogen phosphate) and ammonia are then added to the mixture to yield the animal blood adhesive. The adhesive can be made from any animal blood, such as bovine, porcine, or avian blood. The resulting adhesive is useful for adhering wood-based products, such as plywood and particle board.