Abstract: A bilayer mold for forming polymer microstructures is provided. The bilayer mold includes a rigid plastic cylinder having slots defined along an outer periphery of the rigid plastic cylinder; and a layer of plastic elastic polymer material disposed within the slots and having indents defined therethrough and in the rigid plastic cylinder. The indents have a first profile extending through the layer of plastic elastic polymer and terminating within the rigid plastic cylinder. A metal polymer structure profile is also provided using laser-etching of a desired shape for the features of the microstructures in a metallic foil, followed by further refining of the features. The polymer and metal microstructures can be formed on the surface of a stent to facilitate retention of the stent.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure provide highly deformable porous membrane culture systems and actuation methods for studying the effects of biomedical stretch on cultured tissue. A well plate can include a well having a first opening configured to receive an insert coupled to a deformable membrane. The well plate can include a gasket positioned within the well and configured to create a seal between the insert and the well when the insert is positioned in the well. The well plate can include a chamber defined beneath the well, the chamber configured to receive fluid media and to expose the fluid media to a surface of the deformable membrane when the insert is positioned in the well. The well plate can include an actuator configured to stretch the deformable membrane by a target amount of strain.

Abstract: A system can include a balloon catheter, a pump, a pressure sensor, and one or more processors, The balloon catheter can be configured to be inserted into a lumen of a tissue. The pump can be configured to provide fluid into the balloon catheter to cause the balloon catheter to induce a radial stress of the tissue. The pressure sensor can be configured to detect a pressure of the fluid while the balloon catheter is inducing the radial stress of the tissue. The one or more processors can be configured to determine a characteristic of the tissue based at least on the pressure.

Abstract: A micro-structured mechanical adhesive that can be used as an alternative for suturing is provided. The micro-structured mechanical adhesive includes a base section having a first side and a second side and a plurality of microstructures extending from the first side of the base section. Characteristically, each microstructure includes a preferential failure notch that biases the microstructure to preferentially yield or buckle in a predetermined direction. Advantageously, the micro-structured mechanical adhesive is configured to provide attachment to biological tissue.

Abstract: A bilayer mold for forming polymer microstructures is provided. The bilayer mold includes a rigid plastic cylinder having slots defined along an outer periphery of the rigid plastic cylinder; and a layer of plastic elastic polymer material disposed within the slots and having indents defined therethrough and in the rigid plastic cylinder. The indents have a first profile extending through the layer of plastic elastic polymer and terminating within the rigid plastic cylinder. A metal polymer structure profile is also provided using laser-etching of a desired shape for the features of the microstructures in a metallic foil, followed by further refining of the features. The polymer and metal microstructures can be formed on the surface of a stent to facilitate retention of the stent.

Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a growth adaptive expandable stent is provided. The expandable stent includes a stent structure having a cylindrical shape that is self-expanding in a radial direction and includes a plurality of cylindrical rings disposed along a longitudinal axis of the stent structure. The stent structure is configured to exert a continuous outward radial force over time when implanted such that a diameter of the stent structure expands from a first value to a second value that is at least about 1.5 times the first value.

Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a growth adaptive expandable stent is provided. The expandable stent includes a stent structure having a cylindrical shape that is self-expanding in a radial direction and includes a plurality of cylindrical rings disposed along a longitudinal axis of the stent structure. The stent structure is configured to exert a continuous outward radial force over time when implanted such that a diameter of the stent structure expands from a first value to a second value that is at least about 1.5 times the first value.

Abstract: A biocompatible adhesive is disclosed. The biocompatible adhesive includes a substrate and a plurality of micro-scale elements extending from a surface of the substrate having a length selected to puncture a layer of a target tissue or target material. At least some of the micro-scale elements include at least one protrusion dimensioned to anchor the biocompatible adhesive to the target tissue or target material. A medical device assembly is also disclosed. The medical device assembly includes the biocompatible adhesive coupled to a surface of a component of the medical device assembly and positioned to attach the medical device assembly to the target tissue or target material. A method of facilitating attachment of a medical device assembly to a target tissue is also disclosed. A method of facilitating treatment of a wound is also disclosed.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure provide highly deformable porous membrane culture systems and actuation methods for studying the effects of biomedical stretch on cultured tissue. A well plate can include a well having a first opening configured to receive an insert coupled to a deformable membrane. The well plate can include a gasket positioned within the well and configured to create a seal between the insert and the well when the insert is positioned in the well. The well plate can include a chamber defined beneath the well, the chamber configured to receive fluid media and to expose the fluid media to a surface of the deformable membrane when the insert is positioned in the well. The well plate can include an actuator configured to stretch the deformable membrane by a target amount of strain.

Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a prosthetic valve assembly for controlling fluid flow in an annulus is provided. The prosthetic valve assembly includes a suture ring formed from two or more segments, where each segment is configured to attach to the annulus, and a leaflet subassembly that attaches to an inner portion of at least one segment of the suture ring. The leaflet subassembly includes at least one leaflet configured for controlling a flow of fluid through the prosthetic valve assembly.

Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a growth adaptive expandable stent is provided. The expandable stent includes a stent structure having a cylindrical shape that is self-expanding in a radial direction and includes a plurality of cylindrical rings disposed along a longitudinal axis of the stent structure. The stent structure is configured to exert a continuous outward radial force over time when implanted such that a diameter of the stent structure expands from a first value to a second value that is at least about 1.5 times the first value.

Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a prosthetic valve assembly for controlling fluid flow in an annulus is provided. The prosthetic valve assembly includes a suture ring formed from two or more segments, where each segment is configured to attach to the annulus, and a leaflet subassembly that attaches to an inner portion of at least one segment of the suture ring. The leaflet subassembly includes at least one leaflet configured for controlling a flow of fluid through the prosthetic valve assembly.