Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising complexes of human cells and polymer fibers and methods of their use for therapeutic purposes. Methods of making such compositions are also provided. The present invention encompasses compositions comprising poly-?-1?4-N-acetylglucosamine polymers and stored platelets and their use for promoting wound healing and achieving hemostasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of hemodialysis, including methods and kits that can be employed to improve hemodialysis therapy. The present invention encompasses methods and kits useful for reducing vascular access complications associated with hemodialysis therapy and prolonging the period of time for which a vascular access site can be used in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of hemodialysis, including methods and kits that can be employed to improve hemodialysis therapy. The present invention encompasses methods and kits useful for reducing vascular access complications associated with hemodialysis therapy and prolonging the period of time for which a vascular access site can be used in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of hemostasis, including methods, compositions, and devices that can be employed to achieve hemostasis at an increased rate. More specifically the present invention relates to hemostatic compositions that achieve a hemostatic effect at a distance from the site of application of the composition, and a method for administering such a composition to effectively reduce localized vascular complications associated with treating a breach or puncture in a vein or artery and reduce the time to achieve hemostasis.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides comprising repetitive units of amino acids, as well as synthetic genes encoding the subject polypeptides are provided. The subject polypeptides are characterized by comprising repetitive units of amino acids, where the repetitive units are present in naturally occurring proteins, particularly naturally occurring structural proteins. The subject polypeptides find use in a variety of applications, such as structural components of prosthetic devices, synthetic fibers, and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to a method and device for facilitating hemostasis and wound healing. In particular, the invention relates to the device comprising a polymeric material disposed on a scaffold that facilitates hemostasis and wound healing.

Abstract: Melamine foams exhibiting a very low level of water absorption and low residual formaldehyde are provided. The foams may be prepared by repeatedly soaking a melamine foam with an aqueous polysiloxane emulsion and squeezing out the emulsion, followed by a drying step and then a high-temperature annealing step.

Abstract: Methods of treating body tissue including repairing defects in body tissue as well as augmenting body tissue. Body tissue defects are repaired by injecting a polymeric adhesive composition through an injector into the region of the defect and allowing the adhesive composition to cure to repair the defect or to form an implant that adheres to at least one surface tissue in the region of the defect. Body tissue is augmented by filling a defect void with a polymeric adhesive composition and allowing it to cure.

Abstract: Methods of treating body tissue including repairing defects in body tissue as well as augmenting body tissue. Body tissue defects are repaired by injecting a polymeric adhesive composition through an injector into the region of the defect and allowing the adhesive composition to cure to repair the defect or to form an implant that adheres to at least one surface tissue in the region of the defect. Body tissue is augmented by filling a defect void with a polymeric adhesive composition and allowing it to cure.

Abstract: Proteinaceous polymers having repetitive units from naturally occurring structural proteins are employed as backbones for functionalities for crosslinking to provide strongly adherent tissue adhesives and sealants. Particularly, block copolymers of elastin and fibroin are employed having lysine substitutions in spaced apart units, where the amino group can be crosslinked using difunctional crosslinking agents.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coil assembly is provided. The electromagnetic coil assembly includes a bobbin, a coil of magnet wire and a cover piece. The bobbin includes a hub, a first flange and a second flange. The hub has a longitudinal axis. The first and second flanges are spaced axially from each other. The hub and flanges together define a circumferential bobbin channel. The bobbin is made from a material that is an electrical insulator. The coil of magnet wire is positioned around the hub in the circumferential bobbin channel. The magnet wire has first and second ends. The cover piece is self-supporting and is sized to extend circumferentially around the coil of magnet wire. The cover piece is resilient and exerts a compressive force radially inwardly on the coil of magnet wire.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyolefin compositions having variable hardness and/or toughness properties. The polyolefin compositions include: a polyolefin prepared by the metathesis of an olefin monomer using a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst; and one or more hardness and/or toughness modulators. The polyolefin is preferably poly(dicyclopentadiene), or poly-DCPD. Also provided are articles of manufacture, such as molded parts, produced from the polyolefin compositions. The disclosed compositions are useful in marine, recreational and sports products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising complexes of human cells and polymer fibers and methods of their use for therapeutic purposes. Methods of making such compositions are also provided. The present invention encompasses compositions comprising poly-?-1?4-N-acetylglucosamine polymers and stored platelets and their use for promoting wound healing and achieving hemostasis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: Branched polyarylene polymers are provided comprising monovalent endcappers, divalent linear units, and polyvalent branching units. The composition of the polymers is controlled by adjusting the ratio of the three types of monomers.

Abstract: A garment device convertible to one or more facemasks wherein the garment device has a plurality of detachable cup sections. Each of the cup sections has a filter device, an inner portion positionable adjacent to the inner area of the user's chest, and an outer portion positionable adjacent to the outer area of the user's chest. The garment device has at least one securing device detachably coupling the inner portions of the cup sections to one another, and the garment device has at least one other securing device attached to the outer portion of at least one of the cup sections. This other securing device is operable to: (a) detachably couple the outer portions of the cup regions to one another; and (b) for each one of the cup sections, attach the outer portion of said cup region to the inner portion of said cup region after said cup region is detached from the other cup region, thereby converting the garment device to a plurality of facemasks.

Abstract: A vascular compression apparatus and method for applying pressure onto an area of a patient generally including a blood vessel and a wound site, such as a blood vessel puncture, after a cannulated procedure for the purpose of controlling bleeding and achieving hemostasis. The vascular compression apparatus includes a handle, a shaft and a pad. The shaft extends generally downward from the center of the bottom side of the handle. The pad is connected generally off-center of its top side to the bottom end of the shaft. The bottom side of the pad is convex to allow the vascular compression device to be rocked back and forth. In use, the pad is generally placed proximal to the catheter insertion site and over the blood vessel containing the catheter. The device is rocked proximally to control blood flow while removing the catheter. After the catheter is removed from the puncture site, the device is rocked distally to the puncture site, where pressure is applied until hemostasis is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising semi-crystalline ?-1-4-N-acetylglucosamine polymers (p-GlcNac) and methods utilizing such polymers modulation of vascular structure and/or function. The compositions and methods disclosed are useful for stimulating, in a p-GlcNac concentration-dependent manner, endothelin-1 release, vasoconstriction, and/or reduction in blood flow out of a breached vessel, as well as for contributing to or effecting cessation of bleeding. The methods of the present invention comprise topical administration of materials comprising semi-crystalline p-GlcNac polymers that are free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids as well as other organic and inorganic contaminants, and whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a ?-1-4 conformation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising semi-crystalline ?-1-4-N-acetylglucosamine polymers (p-GlcNac) and methods utilizing such polymers modulation of vascular structure and/or function. The compositions and methods disclosed are useful for stimulating, in a p-GlcNac concentration-dependent manner, endothelin-1 release, vasoconstriction, and/or reduction in blood flow out of a breached vessel, as well as for contributing to or effecting cessation of bleeding. The methods of the present invention comprise topical administration of materials comprising semi-crystalline p-GlcNac polymers that are free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids as well as other organic and inorganic contaminants, and whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a ?-1-4 conformation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.