Abstract: A method is described herein for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The method comprises inserting into an aneurysm an embolism coil coated with a polymeric coating comprising a genipin, such as genipin or a derivative thereof, thereby increasing the stability of clots within the aneurysm. According to one example, the coating is a poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) is used to release genipin to crosslink fibrin clots thereby creating more stable occlusions. Increased clotting can improve segregation of the weakened portion of the blood vessel from the rest of the vasculature and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode configured to produce multivalent cations during a discharge process, and a cathode comprising a catechol-bearing melanin. The cathode is configured to reversibly oxidize a catechol of the catechol-bearing melanin into a quinone by an extraction of the multivalent cation during a recharge process and reduce the quinone to the catechol by an insertion of the multivalent cation during the discharge process. The electrochemical cell includes an aqueous electrolyte solution in which the anode and the cathode are disposed, wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution is configured to transport the multivalent cations between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ingestible, electrical device, comprises a substrate comprising a reservoir that is configured to hold one or more substances; a first film covering the reservoir, wherein the first film is at least partially metallic; a charge storage system connected to the first film, the charge storage system configured to deliver a transient electrochemical potential to the first film; wherein the first film is configured to prevent exposure of the substance to an aqueous environment in an organism, while the charge storage system delivers the transient electrochemical potential to the first film; and wherein the first film is configured for dissolution to expose the one or more substances to the aqueous environment in the organism, after the charge storage system stops delivering the transient electrochemical potential to the first film.

Abstract: A method is described herein for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The method comprises inserting into an aneurysm an embolism coil coated with a polymeric coating comprising a genipin, such as genipin or a derivative thereof, thereby increasing the stability of clots within the aneurysm. According to one example, the coating is a poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) is used to release genipin to crosslink fibrin clots thereby creating more stable occlusions. Increased clotting can improve segregation of the weakened portion of the blood vessel from the rest of the vasculature and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Abstract: In one aspect, an energy storage device comprises one or more organic electrodes comprising one or more melanin-based energy storage materials and cations, with the one or more melanin-based energy storage materials reversibly binding the cations while the biocompatible energy storage device is in an inactive state, and the one or more melanin-based energy storage materials releasing the cations to provide energy while the energy storage device is in an active state.

Abstract: In one aspect, a water-activated, ingestible battery, comprises a cathode comprising a metal oxide with a decreased amount of toxicity, relative to an amount of toxicity of other metal oxides; an anode comprising a biocompatible, water stable compound, the anode infused with benign cations; a separator between the cathode and the anode; a cathodic lead comprising a first conducting material, the cathodic lead in contact with the cathode; an anodic lead comprising a second conducting material, the anodic lead in contact with the anode; and a cell casing comprising a water-permeable biocompatible polymer, the cathodic lead, and the anodic lead, with the cell casing enclosing the cathode, the anode, and the separator.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ingestible, electrical device, comprises one or more electrodes comprising a biocompatible conducting material and a biocompatible insulating material; a generator connected to the one or more electrodes; and an outer casing enclosing the one or more electrodes and the generator, the outer casing configured to dissolve in an aqueous environment of the organism; wherein the one or more electrodes have a first form factor when enclosed in the outer casing and a second form factor following a dissolution of the outer casing, the first form factor is a form factor that is collapsed an increased amount relative to an amount that the second form factor is collapsed, and the second form factor is a form factor that is collapsed a decreased amount relative to an amount that the first form factor is collapsed.

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic biodegradable polymers. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked to form the elastic biodegradable polymer. In preferred embodiments, the cross-linking is performed by functionalization of one or more OR groups on the pre-polymer backbone with vinyl, followed by photopolymerization to form the elastic biodegradable polymer composition or material. Preferably, acrylate is used to add one or more vinyls to the backbone of the pre-polymer to form an acrylated pre-polymer. In various embodiments, acrylated pre-polymers are co-polymerized with one or more acrylated co-polymers.

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic biodegradable polymers. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked to form the elastic biodegradable polymer. In preferred embodiments, the cross-linking is performed by functionalization of one or more OR groups on the pre-polymer backbone with vinyl, followed by photopolymerization to form the elastic biodegradable polymer composition or material. Preferably, acrylate is used to add one or more vinyls to the backbone of the pre-polymer to form an acrylated pre-polymer. In various embodiments, acrylated pre-polymers are co-polymerized with one or more acrylated co-polymers.

Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing an array of electric devices that includes attaching a platform including a micro-channel structure to a substrate. The method includes injecting first and second solutions into the micro-channel structure to form at least three liquid film columns, where the first and second solutions include different solvent composition ratios and the liquid columns each, respectfully, include different solvent composition ratios. The method further includes detaching the platform the substrate, removing solvent from the liquid film columns to form thin film columns, and treating the thin film columns under different conditions along a length direction of the thin film columns. The solvent is removed from the thin film columns and the thin film columns are treated under different conditions along a length direction of the thin film columns.

Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing an array of electric devices that includes attaching a platform including a micro-channel structure to a substrate. The method includes injecting first and second solutions into the micro-channel structure to form at least three liquid film columns, where the first and second solutions include different solvent composition ratios and the liquid columns each, respectfully, include different solvent composition ratios. The method further includes detaching the platform the substrate, removing solvent from the liquid film columns to form thin film columns, and treating the thin film columns under different conditions along a length direction of the thin film columns. The solvent is removed from the thin film columns and the thin film columns are treated under different conditions along a length direction of the thin film columns.

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic biodegradable polymers. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked to form the elastic biodegradable polymer. In preferred embodiments, the cross-linking is performed by functionalization of one or more OR groups on the pre-polymer backbone with vinyl, followed by photopolymerization to form the elastic biodegradable polymer composition or material. Preferably, acrylate is used to add one or more vinyls to the backbone of the pre-polymer to form an acrylated pre-polymer. In various embodiments, acrylated pre-polymers are co-polymerized with one or more acrylated co-polymers.

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic biodegradable polymers. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked to form the elastic biodegradable polymer. In preferred embodiments, the cross-linking is performed by functionalization of one or more OR groups on the pre-polymer backbone with vinyl, followed by photopolymerization to form the elastic biodegradable polymer composition or material. Preferably, acrylate is used to add one or more vinyls to the backbone of the pre-polymer to form an acrylated pre-polymer. In various embodiments, acrylated pre-polymers are co-polymerized with one or more acrylated co-polymers.

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic biodegradable polymers. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked to form the elastic biodegradable polymer. In preferred embodiments, the cross-linking is performed by functionalization of one or more OR groups on the pre-polymer backbone with vinyl, followed by photopolymerization to form the elastic biodegradable polymer composition or material. Preferably, acrylate is used to add one or more vinyls to the backbone of the pre-polymer to form an acrylated pre-polymer. In various embodiments, acrylated pre-polymers are co-polymerized with one or more acrylated co-polymers.

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic polymers compositions for encapsulation of cells. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked in the presence of glycerol and a population of cells to form elastic porous polymer scaffolds suitable for cell encapsulation and/or proliferation.