Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a chronic ulcer, such as a diabetic ulcer, comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a hydrogel matrix to the ulcer, the matrix composition comprising gelatin and a long chain carbohydrate. The matrix may further include polar amino acids, nitric oxide inhibitors and super oxide inhibitors. Injection is a preferred method of administration. The matrix may be injected into one or more locations within the ulcer, underneath the ulcer and/or around the periphery of the ulcer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of stimulating hair growth, comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a hydrogel matrix to an intradermal or subdermal site where hair growth is desired, the matrix composition comprising gelatin, such as denatured collagen, and a long chain carbohydrate, such as dextran. The matrix may further include polar amino acids, nitric oxide inhibitors and super oxide inhibitors. Injection is a preferred method of administration.

Abstract: A cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix for long term storage and proliferation of cells is provided. The cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix include an effective amount of polar amino acids, the polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. The cell culture medium comprises about 5 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. The hydrogel matrix comprises about 3 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. Arginine and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the cell culture medium. Arginine, lysine, and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the hydrogel matrix. A method of maintaining viability and functioning of a transplant is also provided. The method of maintaining viability of a transplant includes encapsulating the cells in a hydrogel matrix and injecting the encapsulated cells into the host organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating vascularization at a site in a mammal, said method comprising contacting said site with a matrix comprising gelatin and a nitric oxide inhibitor. The gelatin is preferably denatured collagen. The nitric oxide inhibitor may be a sulfonated moiety. The inhibitor may be an L-arginine analog, such as aminoguanidine, N-monoethyl L-arginine, N-nitro-L-arginine and D-arginine. The matrix may further comprise a nitric oxide scavenger, such as dextran, heparin, cysteine and cystine.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a chronic ulcer, such as a diabetic ulcer, comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a hydrogel matrix to the ulcer, the matrix composition comprising gelatin and a long chain carbohydrate. The matrix may further include polar amino acids, nitric oxide inhibitors and super oxide inhibitors. Injection is a preferred method of administration. The matrix may be injected into one or more locations within the ulcer, underneath the ulcer and/or around the periphery of the ulcer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of stimulating hair growth, comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a hydrogel matrix to an intradermal or subdermal site where hair growth is desired, the matrix composition comprising gelatin, such as denatured collagen, and a long chain carbohydrate, such as dextran. The matrix may further include polar amino acids, nitric oxide inhibitors and super oxide inhibitors. Injection is a preferred method of administration.

Abstract: Immune recognition of a transplant such as tissue implanted in a host mammal is obscured by encapsulating the transplant in a hydrogel matrix containing gelatin, dextran, at least one nitric oxide inhibitor and polar amino acids. The polar amino acids increase rigidity of the matrix and allow direct injection of the encapsulated transplant into a mammal without further immunosuppression. Preferably, the nitric oxide inhibitor is a combination of L-cysteine and an L-arginine analogue such as aminoguanidine, and the polar amino acids are a combination of L-glutamic acid, L-lysine and L-arginine. The matrix may also contain a superoxide inhibitor such as EDTA. Implanting can be carried out by applying a buffer medium containing a nitric oxide inhibitor to an implant site, implanting the encapsulated transplant, and applying to the implant site a buffer medium which may contain a nitric oxide inhibitor. The buffer medium may also contain a superoxide inhibitor.

Abstract: A cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix for long term storage and proliferation of cells is provided. The cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix include an effective amount of polar amino acids, the polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. The cell culture medium comprises about 5 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. The hydrogel matrix comprises about 3 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. Arginine and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the cell culture medium. Arginine, lysine, and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the hydrogel matrix. A method of maintaining viability and functioning of a transplant is also provided. The method of maintaining viability of a transplant includes encapsulating the cells in a hydrogel matrix and injecting the encapsulated cells into the host organism.

Abstract: A cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix for long term storage and proliferation of cells is provided. The cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix include an effective amount of polar amino acids, the polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. The cell culture medium comprises about 5 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. The hydrogel matrix comprises about 3 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. Arginine and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the cell culture medium. Arginine, lysine, and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the hydrogel matrix. A method of maintaining viability and functioning of a transplant is also provided. The method of maintaining viability of a transplant includes encapsulating the cells in a hydrogel matrix and injecting the encapsulated cells into the host organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating vascularization at a site in a mammal, said method comprising contacting said site with a matrix comprising gelatin and a nitric oxide inhibitor. The gelatin is preferably denatured collagen. The nitric oxide inhibitor may be a sulfonated moiety. The inhibitor may be an L-arginine analog, such as aminoguanidine, N-monoethyl L-arginine, N-nitro-L-arginine and D-arginine. The matrix may further comprise a nitric oxide scavenger, such as dextran, heparin, cysteine and cystine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating vascularization at a site in a mammal, said method comprising contacting said site with a matrix comprising gelatin and a nitric oxide inhibitor. The gelatin is preferably denatured collagen. The nitric oxide inhibitor may be a sulfonated moiety. The inhibitor may be an L-arginine analog, such as aminoguanidine, N-monoethyl L-arginine, N-nitro-L-arginine and D-arginine. The matrix may further comprise a nitric oxide scavenger, such as dextran, heparin, cysteine and cystine.

Abstract: A cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix for long term storage and proliferation of cells is provided. The cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix include an effective amount of polar amino acids, the polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. The cell culture medium comprises about 5 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. The hydrogel matrix comprises about 3 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. Arginine and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the cell culture medium. Arginine, lysine, and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the hydrogel matrix. A method of maintaining viability and functioning of a transplant is also provided. The method of maintaining viability of a transplant includes encapsulating the cells in a hydrogel matrix and injecting the encapsulated cells into the host organism.

Abstract: A cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix for long term storage and proliferation of cells is provided. The cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix include an effective amount of polar amino acids, the polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. The cell culture medium comprises about 5 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. The hydrogel matrix comprises about 3 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. Arginine and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the cell culture medium. Arginine, lysine, and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the hydrogel matrix. A method of maintaining viability and functioning of a transplant is also provided. The method of maintaining viability of a transplant includes encapsulating the cells in a hydrogel matrix and injecting the encapsulated cells into the host organism.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing an immune response in a mammal having an implanted transplant are provided. The compositions comprise non-immunogenic aromatic chains with interspersing aliphatic groups. Such compositions are useful as polymer coatings that protect against immune recognition.

Abstract: A device for the effective release of hormones wherein a matrix containing a hormone producing cellular moiety is encapsulated with a non-immunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylyene having a membrane portion with a porosity blocking passage therethrough of immunogenic agents and permitting passage therethrough of effective nutrients for said cellular moiety and the hormone produced thereby.

Abstract: A device for the effective release of cellular moieties, including hormones, wherein a matrix containing a hormone producing cellular moiety is encapsulated with a non-immunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylylene or other aromatic based polymer moiety having a membrane portion with a porosity blocking passage therethrough of immunogenic agents and permitting passage therethrough of effective nutrients for said cellular moiety and the hormone produced thereby, an improved matrix for the storage, manufacture, functional testing, and viral infection testing of cellular moieties wherein a collagen based hydrogel is processed to present a liquid phase at host temperature and functions as a substrate for cellular attachment with additives effective for limiting thermal and pressure trauma, and an improved method for the harvesting tissue from organs.

Abstract: A device for the effective release of cellular moieties, including hormones, wherein a matrix containing a hormone producing cellular moiety is encapsulated with a non-immunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylylene or other aromatic based moiety having a membrane portion with a porosity blocking passage therethrough of immunogenic agents and permitting passage therethrough of effective nutrients for said cellular moiety and the hormone produced thereby, an improved matrix for the storage, manufacture, functional testing, and viral infection testing of cellular moieties wherein a collagen based hydrogel is processed to present a liquid phase at host temperature and functions as a substrate for cellular attachment with additives effective for limiting thermal and pressure trauma, and an improved method for the harvesting tissue from organs.

Abstract: A device for the effective release of cellular moieties, including hormones, wherein a matrix containing a hormone producing cellular moiety is encapsulated with a nonimmunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylylene or other aromatic based polymeric moiety having a membrane portion with a porosity blocking passage therethrough of immunogenic agents and permitting passage therethrough of effective nutrients for said cellular moiety and the hormone produced thereby, an improved matrix for the storage, manufacture, functional testing, and viral infection testing of cellular moieties wherein a collagen based hydrogel is processed to present a liquid phase at host temperature and functions as a substrate for cellular attachment with additives effective for limiting thermal and pressure trauma, and an improved method for the harvesting tissue from organs.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor for determining the level of a target chemical in a biological fluid includes an electrochemical system including a enzyme substrate which reacts with the target chemical to yield a system signal related to the concentration in the biological fluid of said target chemical. The biosensor includes a first membrane for immobilizing the enzyme substrate. The first membrane has a porosity permitting passage therethrough of the target chemical to react with the enzyme substrate and a surface exposed to the biological fluid characterized by electron donor site susceptible to facilitating attachment thereon of proteins and fibrin which impair the system signal. A second membrane is bonded to the electron donor sites of the first membrane.

Abstract: A device for the effective release of hormones wherein a matrix containing a hormone producing cellular moiety is encapsulated with a non-immunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylyene having a membrane portion with a porosity blocking passage therethrough of immunogenic agents and permitting passage therethrough of effective nutrients for said cellular moiety and the hormone produced thereby.