Abstract: A device for treating a damaged tissue includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a luminal tissue structure of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The scaffold serves as a temporary template that allows the tissue to be rebuilt.

Abstract: A device for treating a damaged tissue includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a luminal tissue structure of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The scaffold serves as a temporary template that allows the tissue to be rebuilt.

Abstract: A device for treating a damaged tissue includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a luminal tissue structure of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The scaffold serves as a temporary template that allows the tissue to be rebuilt.

Abstract: A device for treating a damaged tissue includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a luminal tissue structure of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The scaffold serves as a temporary template that allows the tissue to be rebuilt.

Abstract: A device for treating a damaged tissue includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a luminal tissue structure of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The scaffold serves as a temporary template that allows the tissue to be rebuilt.

Abstract: A device for treating a damaged tissue includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a luminal tissue structure of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The scaffold serves as a temporary template that allows the tissue to be rebuilt.

Abstract: A device for treating a damaged tissue includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a luminal tissue structure of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The scaffold serves as a temporary template that allows the tissue to be rebuilt.

Abstract: A device for treating a cardiovascular condition includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a vasculature of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The biodegradable compound serves as a temporary template that allows the cardiovascular tissue to be rebuilt about the scaffold.

Abstract: An implant for use in biological/biomedical applications may be prepared by subjecting a substrate to a gas-plasma treatment. The substrate may be a biocompatible material, including metals, ceramics, and polymers. More specifically, the substrate may be a bioresorbable polymer. The gas-plasma treatment may include subjecting the substrate to a plasma formed by a reactive gas. The gas-plasma treatment may be performed for a chosen duration at a radio frequency within a temperature range, a pressure range, and a supplied energy range. The substrate may be exposed to living cells, such that some of the living cells become coupled to the substrate. Gas-plasma treatment parameters may be chosen such that the living cells coupled to the treated substrate produce more of a cellular product than living cells coupled to an untreated substrate.

Abstract: Aspects according to the present invention provide a method and implant suitable for implantation inside a human body that includes a power consuming means responsive to a physiological requirement of the human body, a power source and a power storage device. The power source comprises a sheathed piezoelectric assembly that is configured to generate an electrical current when flexed by the tissue of the body and communicate the generated current to the power storage device, which is electrically coupled to the power source and to the power consuming means.

Abstract: Disclosed are medical devices comprising one or more surfaces, one or more SAM molecules attached to the one or more surfaces of the medical device, and one or more therapeutic agents attached to the one or more self-assembled monolayer molecules. Also disclosed are medical devices comprising one or more surfaces, one or more self-assembled monolayer molecules attached to the one or more surfaces of the medical device, one or more linkers comprising a first functional group and a second functional group, the first functional group attached to the self-assembled monolayer molecule and a therapeutic agent attached to the second functional group. The therapeutic agent may be attached to the SAM molecule via a linker. The present invention also concerns methods of administering a therapeutic agent to a subject, comprising contacting the subject with one of the medical devices set forth herein.

Abstract: A stent for use in animals including humans is disclosed which includes unprotected and protected regions, each protected regions including a bioactive or biopenetrating agent containing therein where the protected regions are protected by the unprotected regions when the stent is in its undeployed state which has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the stent in its deployed state. And when the stent is in its deployed state the bioactive or biopenetrating agent(s) are brought into direct and intimate contact with a tissue or interior of a blood vessel of an animal including a human.

Abstract: A stent for use in animals including humans is disclosed which includes unprotected and protected regions, each protected regions including a bioactive or biopenetrating agent containing therein where the protected regions are protected by the unprotected regions when the stent is in its undeployed state which has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the stent in its deployed state. And when the stent is in its deployed state the bioactive or biopenetrating agent(s) are brought into direct and intimate contact with a tissue or interior of a blood vessel of an animal including a human.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for monitoring skin temperatures at predetermined locations on the body of a human or an animal. One embodiment includes a platform with a grid including holes on which the user stands. Under the grid is a movable array of light sensors and temperature sensors. The foot position is determined from the output of the light sensors. The temperatures at predetermined locations on the skin surface are determined by the signals obtained from the temperature sensors. Additional vital health information may be obtained by other sensors on the apparatus. The data may be stored for future retrieval, or transmitted to a remote location for off-site monitoring. Alternative embodiments include sensor blankets or wraps whereby temperature sensors monitor skin temperature for areas of pressure on the blanket or areas covered by the wrap.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for monitoring skin temperatures at predetermined locations on the body of a human or an animal. One embodiment includes a platform with a grid including holes on which the user stands. Under the grid is a movable array of light sensors and temperature sensors. The foot position is determined from the output of the light sensors. The temperatures at predetermined locations on the skin surface are determined by the signals obtained from the temperature sensors. Additional vital health information may be obtained by other sensors on the apparatus. The data may be stored for future retrieval, or transmitted to a remote location for off-site monitoring. Alternative embodiments include sensor blankets or wraps whereby temperature sensors monitor skin temperature for areas of pressure on the blanket or areas covered by the wrap.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 has a probe 22 disposed within a housing 12. A distal end 18 of the probe 22 is adapted to contact a surface of the articular cartilage and a proximal end 26 of the probe 22 is disposed within the housing 12. The apparatus 10 also includes a mass 28 disposed within the housing 12 at a position spaced from the proximal end 26 of the probe 22, and an accelerator 30 coupled to the mass 28 and configured to accelerate the mass 28 to a predetermined velocity. The mass 28, when accelerated to the predetermined velocity, creates a force that is applied to the proximal end 26 of the probe 22, thereby transmitting the predetermined force through the distal end 24 of the probe 22 to the cartilage. The mechanical response of the cartilage to the application of the force applied by the distal end 24 of the probe 22 is detected and used to assess the biomechanical condition of the cartilage.

Abstract: The present invention involves compositions having variable permeation and/or porosity and objects made therefrom. The compositions are prepared by dispersing a pore-forming agent in a polymer matrix by agitation. The composition is density developed resulting in a variable concentration in pore-forming agent throughout the mixture through application of an external force on the mixture with or without continued agitation. The pore-forming agent is then leached from the mixture to form a polymer matrix having variable permeability and/or porosity.

Abstract: The present invention involves filler for treating injured tissue sites made from compositions having variable permeability to bodily fluid to reduce the flow to these fluids (bleeding) from the site of injury into the surrounding tissue. The fillers are prepared by dispersing a pore-forming agent in a polymer with agitation. Density developing a variable concentration of pore-forming agent throughout the polymer through application of an external force acting on the mixture so that a portion of the filler has a variable impermeability to bodily fluids. After agitation and/or density development, the pore-forming agent is leached from the mixture to form a polymer matrix having variable permeability. Alternatively, the compositions can be made by fixedly combining a permeable material with an impermeable material to form a filler with reduced permeability to bodily fluid flow.

Abstract: The invention discloses pH-controlling devices that comprise a biodegradable polymer and a pH-controlling substance, particularly an alkaline, acidic or buffering agents. By way of example, such alkaline agents include calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Methods of preparing such devices are also described. Methods for enhancing biocompatibility of an implantable device are also provided, as neutralizing alkaline materials are released at a rate that offsets changes in pH typically observed as polymers degrade to various acidic or alkaline by-products. By way of example, biodegradable polymers include PLA, PGA, polycaprolactone, copolymers thereof, or mixtures thereof. A new technique is disclosed to increase the surface porosity of porous implants which have a tendency to form relatively impermeable coverings. This technique entails the use of mechanical means to remove at least part of said covering, thus increasing the implant's surface porosity and permeability.

Abstract: Medical devices, most particularly prosthesis, are defined having at least one porous tissue-mating surface. The tissue-mating surface of the device includes therein a pharmacologically active substance within a biodegradable carrier, such as a polymer or a biodegradable ceramic, such as calcium phosphate. A biodegradable composition of the drug and carrier is impregnated within the pores of the tissue-mating surfaces of the device. The device thereby provides for the long-term release of pharmacologically active substances upon implant. The prosthesis of the present invention provides for enhanced rigid fixation, as pores at the surface of said device provide for bony ingrowth as biodegradable material impregnated therein degrades. Pharmacologically active substances within the biodegradable composition also enhances the rate of bony in-growth where said substances are particularly osteoinductive. The structure of the present device effectively delivers pharmacologically active substances to tissue- (e.g.