Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, dispensers, and methods thereof for establishing a urine passageway through a ureter. For example, a composition can include, in some embodiments, a primary solid phase and a secondary solid phase. The primary solid phase can include a monomer, a pre-polymer, or a mixture thereof configured to commence polymerization into a polymeric form in the ureter when contacted with a fluid such as urine or saline. The secondary solid phase is dispersed in the primary solid phase. The secondary solid phase can include a leachable component. The leachable component is configured to leach from the polymeric form when contacted with a sufficient amount of a same or different fluid. The leachable component is also configured to form pores of an open-pore network throughout the polymeric form when leached from the polymeric form, thereby establishing the urine passageway through the ureter.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to flowable hemostats that crosslink during and/or after application to a bleeding site are generally described.

Abstract: Vibrational powder applicators and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a vibrational powder applicator may include a powder storage chamber, a powder (e.g., a therapeutic powder) disposed within the powder storage chamber, an actuator operatively coupled to the powder storage chamber and configured to vibrationally agitate the powder when activated, and an outlet in fluid communication with the powder storage chamber. In some embodiments, a vibrational powder applicator may include a flow restrictor and/or a valve.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to powdered hemostats that crosslink during and/or after application to a bleeding site are generally described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to powdered hemostats that crosslink during and/or after application to a bleeding site are generally described.

Abstract: A deployment device for positioning a soft tissue repair prosthesis includes a self-expanding support body releasably attachable to the prosthesis. The support body may be removably insertable into a pocket of the prosthesis. A handle coupled to the support body facilitates positioning the patch and/or removal of the support body from the pocket. The support body may substantially occupy the pocket in an expanded configuration. The handle may be arranged to direct a pulling force to the outer peripheral edge of the support body and/or cause a portion thereof to be pulled downward and below the body during withdrawal of the deployment device from the prosthesis. The support body may include support segments pivotally coupled together and foldable to collapse the support body for insertion into and removal from the pocket. One or more resilient support members may be provided for collapsing and expanding the support body and the prosthesis.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, dispensers, and methods thereof for establishing a urine passageway through a ureter. For example, a composition can include, in some embodiments, a primary solid phase and a secondary solid phase. The primary solid phase can include a monomer, a pre-polymer, or a mixture thereof configured to commence polymerization into a polymeric form in the ureter when contacted with a fluid such as urine or saline. The secondary solid phase is dispersed in the primary solid phase. The secondary solid phase can include a leachable component. The leachable component is configured to leach from the polymeric form when contacted with a sufficient amount of a same or different fluid. The leachable component is also configured to form pores of an open-pore network throughout the polymeric form when leached from the polymeric form, thereby establishing the urine passageway through the ureter.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to flowable hemostats that crosslink during and/or after application to a bleeding site are generally described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to powdered hemostats that crosslink during and/or after application to a bleeding site are generally described.

Abstract: Methods for protecting a peritoneum or other tissue during a surgical procedure are disclosed. In some embodiments, a protective lining is applied to the peritoneum or other tissue before an active surgical intervention, such as before tissue dissection, tissue approximation, and/or other surgical act. In some embodiments, the protective lining includes a protective film applied to the peritoneum or other tissue via a delivery balloon or via a spray instrument.

Abstract: Methods for protecting a peritoneum or other tissue during a surgical procedure are disclosed. In some embodiments, a protective lining is applied to the peritoneum or other tissue before an active surgical intervention, such as before tissue dissection, tissue approximation, and/or other surgical act. In some embodiments, the protective lining includes a protective film applied to the peritoneum or other tissue via a delivery balloon or via a spray instrument.

Abstract: In a wireless communications network, a system is provided for securely executing the transfer of rights between holders of accounts. The secure transfer of messages may represent the exchange of title to monetary assets. Each title holder is provided with a SIM card containing a transaction application that can interpret menu messages, accept user inputs and generate transaction messages for processing by the system. Each of the menu and transaction messages is delivered as a short messaging service message. The holder inserts his SIM into a mobile handset, and (after authentication with the system) is permitted to interact with the system to conduct rights transfer transactions. Since the transactions are in the form of simple text messages, the mobile handset need not conform to a high specification (i.e. may not support GPRS).

Abstract: An optical body includes a substrate and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer disposed on the substrate. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer has a non-uniform pitch along a thickness direction of the layer and comprises a crosslinked polymer material that substantially fixes the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The crosslinking hinders diffusion of cholesteric liquid crystal material within the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. In other methods of making an optical body, a reservoir of chiral material is provided during the process over a first cholesteric liquid crystal layer to diffuse into the layer and provide a non-uniform pitch. Alternatively, two coating compositions can be disposed on a substrate where the material of the first coating composition is not substantially soluble in the second coating composition.

Abstract: An optical body includes a) first particles comprising a first cholesteric liquid crystal material and b) a second cholesteric liquid crystal material. The first particles and the second cholesteric liquid crystal material form a structure where the first cholesteric liquid crystal material has a pitch that is different than the second cholesteric liquid crystal material. In one example, the second cholesteric liquid crystal material is in the form of second particles. In another example, the first particles are dispersed in a matrix of the second cholesteric liquid crystal material. In other examples, the optical body has more than one layer. In addition, one or more additional cholesteric liquid crystal materials can be used in the optical body. These optical bodies can be used as a reflective polarizer and can be used in a display.

Abstract: A reflective strain gauge includes an holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) film comprising layers of liquid crystal (LC) droplets in a matrix polymer, the H-PDLC film having a reflection or transmission grating capable of reflecting or transmitting light of a selected wavelength, and means for adhering the film to a surface of a workpiece for monitoring the strain at said surface. A change in the nature of the reflected light is an indication of strain. Also included is a polarizing material having an holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) film comprising layers of liquid crystal (LC) droplets in a matrix polymer, the H-PDLC film having a reflection grating capable of reflecting light of a selected wavelength, wherein the reflection grating of the H-PDLC film is oriented, such that the refractive index parallel to said axis of orientation (ne) is greater than the refractive index perpendicular to said axis (no).