Abstract: A method by which immune responses to cortical bone grafts and other substrates (e.g., cement, IPN, etc.) can be minimized and at the same time graft osteoinductive potential can be improved, and improved graft substrate materials are disclosed. The method of the invention provides new types of bone grafts that incorporate into host bone more thoroughly and more rapidly, eliminating long-term complications, such as fracture, non-union, infection, and rejection. In the method of the invention, bone grafts or other substrates are modified to have an osteoinductive surface modification that the recipient's body will accept as its own tissue type and therefore will not reject or otherwise cause to fail. The osteoinductive surface modification comprises a biopolymer matrix coating that is seeded with periosteal cells that have been previously harvested either from the graft recipient or from an allogenic or xenogenic donor source.

Abstract: A bioadhesive mucosal delivery system is used in concert with systemic immunization to develop long-lasting immune responses correlative to protective immunity, especially for the prevention of infection with malaria, tularemia, anthrax, and H. pylori. First, the method provides controlled delivery of protective antigens, such as ODNs, to a mucosal site resulting in “priming” of mucosal receptors. Second, the method augments this mucosal prime with parenteral stimulation. In another embodiment, an intranasal vaccine is used in the treatment of tularemia and other bacterial and viral inhalation antigens. The use of CpG motifs in bacterial DNA allows for the activation of the innate immune response that is characterized by the production of immunostimulatory cytokines and polyreactive antibodies. The rapid response system limits the spread of the pathogen prior to specific immunity activation.

Abstract: Bioresorbable osteoconductive compositions and methods of using the composition as a scaffold for bone repair in periodontal, alveolar or maxillary regeneration, bony cranial defects, and spinal regeneration are disclosed. The bioresorbable compositions contain a bioresorbable polymer, a micro or nano particulate filler and a pore creating substance. The bioresorbable polymer can be electronically unsaturated and cross-linkable with a cross-linking agent. The micro or nano filler can be any natural biocompatible material such as a metals, calcium carbonate, carbon, a biocompatible synthetic material, or a bioceramics such as hydroxyapatite. The pore creating substance can be an effervescent agent such as a carbonate and an acid.

Abstract: A method by which immune responses to cortical bone grafts and other substrates (e.g., cement, IPN, etc.) can be minimized and at the same time graft osteoinductive potential can be improved, and improved graft substrate materials are disclosed. The method of the invention provides new types of bone grafts that incorporate into host bone more thoroughly and more rapidly, eliminating long-term complications, such as fracture, non-union, infection, and rejection. In the method of the invention, bone grafts or other substrates are modified to have an osteoinductive surface modification that the recipient's body will accept as its own tissue type and therefore will not reject or otherwise cause to fail. The osteoinductive surface modification comprises a biopolymer matrix coating that is seeded with periosteal cells that have been previously harvested either from the graft recipient or from an allogenic or xenogenic donor source.

Abstract: A method by which immune responses to cortical bone grafts and other substrates (e.g., cement, IPN, etc.) can be minimized and at the same time graft osteoinductive potential can be improved, and improved graft substrate materials are disclosed. The method of the invention provides new types of bone grafts that incorporate into host bone more thoroughly and more rapidly, eliminating long-term complications, such as fracture, non-union, infection, and rejection. In the method of the invention, bone grafts or other substrates are modified to have an osteoinductive surface modification that the recipient's body will accept as its own tissue type and therefore will not reject or otherwise cause to fail. The osteoinductive surface modification comprises a biopolymer matrix coating that is seeded with periosteal cells that have been previously harvested either from the graft recipient or from an allogenic or xenogenic donor source.

Abstract: A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25-100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material.

Abstract: A bioerodible polymeric material, and in particular a semi-interpenetrating network (“semi-IPN”) alloy, is disclosed. A beneficial end use of this material is in the form of internal fixation devices (IFDs) (such as bone supports, plates, and pins) and as cured bone cements for bone repair. A multi-part bioerodible cement system, which, upon mixing of the system parts, forms a cured bioerodible cement, includes, in one part, a first bioerodible polymer (e.g., PLGA) capable of producing acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation, and, in another part, a second bioerodible scaffolding polymer (e.g., PPF) which upon crosslinking provides a biopolymeric scaffolding or internal reinforcement for the cured cement.

Abstract: An internal fixation device and a bioerodible implantable material useful therefor comprise a bioerodible polymer that produces acidic products or low molecular weight resorbable fragments upon hydrolytic degradation, and a buffering or neutralizing agent in sufficiently high concentration to moderate the rate of change of pH of said bioerodible material during bioerosion. The buffering or neutralizing agent acts to reduce the inflammatory foreign body response generated by the acidic products and reduces the sterile abscess condition that occurs at the site of the bioerodible implant materials of the prior art. Internal fixation devices (IFDs) according to the invention are useful, for example, for the repair, replacement or reconstruction of damaged bone in any area of the body.

Abstract: Provided is an optical element comprising a biopolymer having an oriented structure and a photoresponsive compound, such as a photochromic compound, wherein at least a portion of the photoresponsive compound is incorporated within the oriented structure of the biopolymer and wherein the oriented structure is laminar with the planes of the laminar orientation being aligned perpendicular to a surface of the optical element. Preferably, the biopolymer is a liquid crystal polypeptide, such as ferroelectric liquid crystal poly(&ggr;-methyl-L-glutamate), and the photochromic compound is bacteriorhodopsin. Such optical elements may be utilized in a holographic grating, in an optical correlator system such as for pattern recognition, in a dynamic holographic recording system, and in an optical switch.

Abstract: A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25-100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material.

Abstract: A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25-100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an optical shutter device comprising one or more photon absorbing materials that convert photons to heat in less than 1 nanosecond and one or more thermochromic materials that undergo an increase or decrease in optical density at one or more wavelengths when the thermochromic material is heated from 25° C. to a temperature greater than 100° C. in less than 1 nanosecond.

Abstract: A bioerodible cement system, which, upon mixing of the system parts, forms a cured bioerodible cement, said system comprising a first part comprising a first bioerodible polymer capable of producing acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation; and a second part comprising a second bioerodible scaffolding polymer which upon crosslinking provides a biopolymeric scaffolding or internal reinforcement for said cured cement is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the second bioerodible polymer comprises polypropylene fumarate (PPF), which is cross-linked during curing, desirably by a vinyl monomer such as vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) to form the biopolymeric scaffolding which provides the cured cement with dimensional and geometric stability.

Abstract: A bioerodible polymeric semi-IPN alloy which comprises a first bioerodible polymer capable of producing acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation; a second bioerodible polymer, which provides a biopolymeric scaffolding or internal reinforcement; and optionally a buffering compound that buffers the acidic products within a desired pH range. In a preferred embodiment, the second bioerodible polymer comprises polypropylene fumarate (PPF), which is cross-linked, desirably by a vinyl monomer such as vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) to form the biopolymeric scaffolding which provides the semi-IPN with dimensional and geometric stability.

Abstract: A bioerodible implantable material, comprising a bioerodible polymer that produces acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation, and a buffering compound that buffers the acidic products and maintains the local pH within a desired range. The buffer compound acts to reduce the inflammatory foreign body response generated by the acidic products and reduces the sterile abscess condition that occurs at the site of the bioerodible implant materials of the prior art. Materials made according to the invention may be used for internal fixation devices (IFDs) for bone repair.

Abstract: A biopolymer film and other materials that exhibit nonlinear optical (NLO) properties and a method for making this film. Alignment of biopolymer molecules, which is required for NLO phenomena, is achieved by application of an electric field parallel to the surface of a biopolymer solution as the film is formed. In one embodiment, a solution of poly(.gamma.-benzyl-L-glutamate), PBLG, in methylene chloride is employed. Upon application of an electric field, laminar structures perpendicular to both the field direction and to the film surface are formed. These ordered structures are captured in the film upon evaporation of the biopolymer solvent.

Abstract: A method for making an implantable bioerodible material for the sustained release of a medicament and the material made from the method. The method comprises the formulation of a biomaterial polymeric carrier into particles of predetermined density and size. The particles are then are mixed with the desired medicament and extruded into the desired shape for implantation or reground to a predetermined size distribution for injection as a suspension. In an alternative embodiment, the particles of polymeric carrier are immersed in a solvent containing a medicament, and the pores of the particles are filled with medicament through alternate application and release of vacuum.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymeric multiphasic release system of one or more biodegradable bursting units capable of delivering biologically active substances in a burst or pulse at predetermined times and a method for constructing those units is disclosed. The individual bursting units of the system may take the form of a biodegradable, membrane coated capsule surrounding a core material which may include an active agent. The membrane ruptures after a predetermined time upon exposure to water or bodily, or other aqueous environmental fluids. The bursting units may be used in any situation in which a controlled pulsed release of an active substance is desired. The predetermined time release of each bursting unit is controlled by the composition of the core material, the initial radius and wall thickness of the membrane and the porosity of the membrane.