Abstract: A microstructured hemostat comprising multiple layers of microstructure, each layer characterized by one or more length scales, is described. Microstructured hemostats of the present invention, can reduce the time for blood coagulation, control the morphology of the coagulation, and provide a novel diagnostic platform for evaluation of coagulation function from a morphological perspective.

Abstract: A microstructured device is disclosed utilizing Coulomb field modification of surface energy and electroadhesion to localize a device surface or to levitate a device surface with respect to a target surface. The surface energy modification can be permanent or reversible depending on whether the charge is externally delivered to the device or derived on the device galvanically. The microstructure aspect of the device induces various hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions with the target surface. The Coulomb field can be used to enhance or decrease the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions. In combination, the disclosed electro-microstructured device provides for localizing implants in a mammalian body, and additionally means for controlling cell interaction with the implant.

Abstract: Polymer devices are disclosed with microstructured surfaces that modify their absorption pathway. Polymers which generally degrade in water by fracturing into high surface energy fragments, are modified to degrade in vivo without the formation of sharp fragments. Devices are disclosed that possess improved handling characteristics and degrade in an aqueous environment in a uniform and continuous way that favors the formation of soluble monomers rather than solid particulate. Absorbable medical implants with the disclosed surface modifications are more biocompatible, with reduced foreign body response, and dissolution into metabolizable molecular species.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and particularly to a three-dimensional biomimetic tissue scaffold that exploits the use of three-dimensional print technology. Surface energy is controlled by precisely placing polymers with differing surface chemistry, and using surface texture and bulk composition to pattern absorbable and non-absorbable polymers for the purpose of promoting functional healing in a mammalian body.

Abstract: Provided herein is a hierarchical superhydrophobic surface comprising an array of first geometrical features disposed on a substrate comprising a first material and a terminal level disposed on the second features, wherein the terminal level comprises a second material, the second material being different from the first material. The second material has a hydrophilicity different from the hydrophilicity of at least one of 1) the hydrophilicity of the second material and 2) hydrophilicity induced by the hierarchical structure. The present disclosure further includes methods of preparing hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces and medical devices comprising the hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces.

Abstract: Soft tissue repair grafts are described comprising an anti-adhesion layer, a structural layer, and a localization layer. These layers may be distinct or integrated into one substrate. The term layer is used to distinguish tissue repair graft functionality rather than distinct material layers. The distinct layers of functionality may comprise a single plane of a substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to textile articles and clothing such as outdoor garments, indoor garments, and commercial protective wear exposed to contact mixtures of water and oil, swimwear and winter wear exposed to mixtures of water and air. At least part of these textile articles possess a surface provided with at least one of 1) a high surface area, 2) hierarchical pattern, 3) contact angles such that hydrophilic portion of a contact mixture possesses a high contact angle and the hydrophobic portion of a contact mixture possesses a low contact angle, and 4) hysteresis angle greater than 5 degrees. Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic contact mixtures of the present invention can be surfaces where water and or ice are present in combination with oil and or air. The textile articles of the present invention resist slippage on surfaces possessing hydrophobic/hydrophilic contact mixtures.

Abstract: A glove with an enhanced gripping textured surface is disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments, the glove contains a palm region adapted to cover the palm of a person's hand, a thumb region extending outwardly from the palm region, an index finger region disposed adjacent the thumb region, a middle finger region adjacent the index finger region, a ring finger region adjacent the middle finger region, and a little finger region adjacent the ring finger region with each region containing a textured surface. In preferred embodiments, the textured surface is formed by a plurality of dimensionally hierarchical structures superimposed in layers. The textured surface of the invention, when in contact with wet tissue, repels water at a first texture layer and traps tissue at a second texture layer, such that when in tissue contact, especially exudative tissue, tissue fixatively localizes to the glove surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides copolymers useful in medical devices. For example, the disclosure provides copolymers comprising the polymerization product ester block, ether blocks and diisocyanates. In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides a medical copolymer for implantation comprising ester blocks and ether blocks, wherein: the ester blocks comprise a negative free energy transfer and the ether blocks comprise a positive free energy transfer, the ether and ester blocks are less than 1/10 the length of said copolymer, and, the blocks are distributed such that no domain of contiguous blocks possessing the same polarity of free energy transfer are less than ? of the molecular weight of the copolymer. The disclosure further provides methods of making the aforementioned polymers, and medical devices comprising the polymers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions A composition comprising a polymerization product of an anionic polysaccharide, a diisocyanate, and a linker, wherein the linker comprises i) an ether group, an ester group, or a combination thereof and, ii) a chain extender comprising a hydroxyl group, a thiol group, an amine group, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further relates to medical devices comprising the aforementioned compositions, and to methods of using the compositions and devices. More particularly, the compositions, devices and methods described herein are useful for preventing protein adhesions in vivo, particularly the Vroman effect.

Abstract: Retraction of one or more three-dimensional or planar amorphous objects is provided to gain access for a procedure where the retracted elements are easily damaged by application of normal forces. For example, a surgical instrument to provide access to an organ or tissue plane. Microtextured surfaces are provided that provide immobilization of amorphous objects, the immobilization of which is characterized by low normal forces and high shear or in plane forces. The retraction device is comprised of microstructured surfaces on one or more arms. Preferably these arms are soft and flexible to minimize damage to retracted objects. In some instances, these arms resemble and are used as a nonslip tape. Alternatively, parts or whole arms of the retraction device are rigid to provide a supportive aspect. These arms may be configured around a handle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a microstructured discrimination device for separating hydrophobic-hydrophilic fluidic composites comprising particulate and/or fluids in a fluid flow. The discrimination is the result of surface energy gradients obtained by physically varying a textured surface and/or by varying surface chemical properties, both of which are spatially graded. Such surfaces discriminate and spatially separate particulate and/or fluids without external energy input. The device of the present invention comprises a platform having bifurcating microchannels arranged radially. The lumenal surfaces of the microchannels may have a surface energy gradient created by varying the periodicity of hierarchically arranged microstructures along a dimension. The surface energy gradient is varied in two regions. In one pre-bifurcation region the surface energy gradient generates a fluid flow.

Abstract: Bio-adhesive textured surfaces are described which allow implants to be localized within a living body. Hierarchical levels of texture on an implantable medical device, some capable of establishing a Wenzel state and others a Cassie state, may be employed to interface with living structures to provide resistance to device migration. Since a gaseous state is traditionally required to establish a Cassie or Wenzel state, and gases do not remain long in living tissue, described herein are tissue/device interactions analogous to the above states with the component normally represented by a gas replaced by a bodily constituent, wherein separation of tissue constituents develops and an analogous Cassie, Wenzel, or Cassie-Wenzel state evolves. Further methods of making molds to produce said devices are described herein.

Abstract: A microstructured pressure-sensitive surface is described comprising a Wenzel-Cassie hydrophilic-hydrophobic zone structure and capillary action with improved peel strength. The capillary action is enhanced by the Wenzel-Cassie zone creation, and the barrier energy to disruption of the Wenzel-Cassie zone is increased by the capillary action. The micro-structured surfaces of the present invention create water zones of exclusion, where entropic effects reinforce Wenzel-Cassie zone stability, creating a suction effect that conforms the microstructure surface to a target surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an endoprosthesis where a preferably polymeric coating has a number of surface features such as protrusions or textures that are arranged in a micropattern. The endoprosthesis optionally has an expanded state and a contracted state, and in some cases includes a stent with a polymeric coating attached to an outer surface of the stent. The stent may have an inner surface defining a lumen, an outer surface, and a stent thickness defined between the inner surface and outer surface. The stent may comprise a plurality of surface textures extending from the stent surfaces, wherein the textures are arranged in a macropattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gripping surfaces and devices comprising the same, wherein the gripping surface comprises a shape tunable surface microstructure, wherein the height, width and spatial periodicity of the microstructures corresponds to an integer multiple of Schallamach wave amplitudes and wavelengths of a target surface, wherein the device microstructures and induced Schallamach waves are entrained by applying strain to the device.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrogels polymerized with a biofunctional moiety, biodegradable and permanent, designed to be implantable in a mammalian body and intended to block or mitigate the formation of tissue adhesions. The hydrogels of the present invention are characterized by comprising four structural elements: a) a polymeric backbone which defines the overall polymeric morphology, b) linkage groups, c) side chains, and d) biofunctional end groups. The hydrophobicity of the various structural elements are chosen to reduce tissue adhesion and enhance the biofunctional aspect of the end groups. The morphology of these polymers are typically of high molecular weight and have shape to encourage entanglement. Useful structures include branching chains, comb or brush, and dendritic morphologies.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and particularly to a three-dimensional biomimetic tissue scaffold that exploits the use of three-dimensional print technology. Surface energy is controlled by precisely placing polymers with differing surface chemistry, and using surface texture and bulk composition to pattern absorbable and non-absorbable polymers for the purpose of promoting functional healing in a mammalian body.

Abstract: Provided herein is a hierarchical superhydrophobic surface comprising an array of first geometrical features disposed on a substrate comprising a first material, and an array of second geometrical features disposed on the first features to form a hierarchical structure and a terminal level disposed on the second features, wherein the terminal level comprises a second material, the second material being different from the first material. The second material has a hydrophilicity different from the hydrophilicity of at least one of 1) the hydrophilicity of the second material and 2) hydrophilicity induced by the hierarchical structure. The present disclosure further methods of preparing hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces and medical devices comprising the hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces.

Abstract: Bio-adhesive textured surfaces are described which allow implants to be localized within a living body. Hierarchical levels of texture on an implantable medical device, some capable of establishing a Wenzel state and others a Cassie state, are employed to interface with living structures to provide resistance to device migration. Since a gaseous state is traditionally required to establish a Cassie or Wenzel state, and gases do not remain long in living tissue, described are tissue/device interactions analogous to the above states with the component normally represented by a gas replaced by a bodily constituent, wherein separation of tissue constituents develops and an analogous Cassie, Wenzel or Cassie-Wenzel state evolves.