Abstract: Bioactive ceramic particles (such as bioglass) that are customized with ions to enhance tissue healing. The ions may include one or more of Magnesium, Copper, Cobalt, Silver, Aluminum, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Calcium, Lithium, Gallium, Strontium and/or other Group 5 based ions. Medical applications for use of the customized bioglass particles include wound (dermis) repair, orthopedics (bone), spine, tendon, ligaments, cartilage, neurologic and dental. Embodiments of the customized bioglass particles contain multiple layers, each layer having a different composition. In some embodiments, the ions in each layer work in conjunction with a biologic process. Also disclosed are methods for forming the customized bioglass particles.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering at least one biological substance to a diseased or damaged area of a patient and having a sponge including a top sponge portion with a plurality of protrusions extending downwardly therefrom and a bottom sponge portion having a plurality of wells formed therein, the wells being configured to receive the at least one biological substance therein. Each of the plurality of wells is dimensioned to receive one of the plurality of protrusions therein upon placing the top sponge portion onto the bottom sponge portion to assemble the sponge. Also disclosed is a method for delivering the biological substance(s) to the diseased or damaged area of a patient using the delivery system, and a kit including the biological substance(s) and the delivery system.

Abstract: A flat self-curling rollable composite sheet membrane, and methods for preparing such membranes. The sheet membrane includes a flat layer of collagen and a bioactive agent, such as a calcium phosphate-based mineral. The flat layer self-curls into a predetermined shape upon absorption of an aqueous fluid. The methods for preparing the membranes include the steps of adding mineral to a collagen dispersion, forming a composite collagen matrix having mineral particles dispersed therein, compressing the composite matrix between two plates to form a flat sheet, and drying the flat sheet to yield a rollable composite sheet membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for forming targeted collagen products having an amplified desired characteristic, including the step of adding peptides exhibiting a desired characteristic to collagen to form the targeted collagen product. Further disclosed are methods for forming a targeted collagen product lacking an undesired characteristic, including the step of subtracting peptides exhibiting the undesired characteristic from collagen to form the targeted collagen product. Also disclosed are targeted collagen products formed by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for forming targeted collagen products having an amplified desired characteristic, including the step of adding peptides exhibiting a desired characteristic to collagen to form the targeted collagen product. The adding step is performed so that the collagen is crosslinked to the peptide exhibiting the desired characteristic. Crosslinking of the collagen to the peptide exhibiting the desired characteristic occurs by modification of the peptide to facilitate binding to the collagen. Further disclosed are methods for forming a targeted collagen product lacking an undesired characteristic, including the step of subtracting peptides exhibiting the undesired characteristic from collagen to form the targeted collagen product. Also disclosed are targeted collagen products formed by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a pink colored pre-sintered or fully-sintered blank for use for the production of a dental restoration, such as a denture base of a full or a partial denture, a partial denture, or an implant supported denture, consisting of a ceramic material which comprises zirconium dioxide doped with yttrium oxide (Y2O3), calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO) and/or cerium oxide (CeO2), wherein the pink colored blank comprises 2 to 25 wt %, preferably 4 to 17 wt %, and more preferably 5 to 12 wt %, erbium oxide.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for producing a ceramic multilayer blank comprising at least a first layer of a first ceramic material and at least a second layer of a second ceramic material, wherein the first layer and the second layer are made of ceramic materials of different compositions, which are filled in pourable condition layer-by-layer into a mold and thereafter they are pressed and then sintered, wherein the first layer is a pink colored layer, wherein the first ceramic material comprises 2 to 25 wt % erbium oxide.

Abstract: Excavator bucket cleaning apparatus having an action plate hingedly interconnected to the interior of the bucket with a cable attached at one end to the excavator boom and, at the other end, to the free end of the action plate so that rotation of the bucket outwardly causes the cable to tighten and swing the action plate outwardly of the bucket about the hinge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric compositions useful in the manufacture of biocompatible medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to certain cationic monomers capable of polymerization to form polymeric compositions having desirable physical characteristics useful in the manufacture of ophthalmic devices. Such properties include the ability to extract the polymerized medical devices with water. This avoids the use of organic solvents as is typical in the art. The polymeric compositions comprise polymerized cationic hydrophilic siloxanyl monomers.

Abstract: A method for cleaning or disinfecting contact lenses comprising providing an ophthalmic composition comprising a quaternary polymer and a primary antimicrobial agent with the proviso that the quaternary polymer is not a cationic cellulosic polymer and is distinct from, and mutually exclusive of, the primary antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biguanide-containing disinfecting solutions effective in inactivating bacteria endospores on surfaces, air-borne or in water. The methods of using the present invention are directed to disinfecting endospore laden surfaces, air and water with the subject biguanide-containing solutions.

Abstract: A rigid gas permeable lens care composition. The composition includes a disinfecting amount of at least one biguanide antimicrobial agent and a straight chain polyether surfactant based upon PEO-PPO-PEO, PPO-PEO-PPO and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the straight chain polyether surfactant has an HLB value of less than or equal to 15 and an average molecular weight value of between about 5000 and 7000. Preferably, no rubbing is required to disinfect the rigid gas permeable contact lenses is required. Methods of making and using the same are also described.

Abstract: A contact lens package includes a sealed receptacle containing a contact lens immersed in a sterile solution. The contact lens is made of a silicone hydrogel copolymer, and the solution includes a stabilizing agent in an amount effective to inhibit changes in physical properties of the silicone hydrogel copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel eye-drop solution that has superior microbe and bacteria management properties. Regular use in the eye will prevent bacteria from being attached to the eye. Regular use of the eye-drops will also prevent growth of microbes in the eye. A patient that uses this invention can slow the progression of infection and growth of microbes between cleaning. For disposable contact lenses the antimicrobial management properties reduces the risk of infection during the extended wear period. In one embodiment, there is a method of treating contact lenses comprising administering to the lens an ophthalmically safe composition comprising an amount of antimicrobial agent that prevents growth of microbes in the eye but is a less than the minimum disinfecting amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric compositions useful in the manufacture of biocompatible medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to certain cationic monomers capable of polymerization to form polymeric compositions having desirable physical characteristics useful in the manufacture of ophthalmic devices. Such properties include the ability to extract the polymerized medical devices with water. This avoids the use of organic solvents as is typical in the art. The polymeric compositions comprise polymerized cationic hydrophilic siloxanyl monomers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the development of medical devices which show thermal reversible associations with similar polymer molecules contained in the majority of device care solutions. The thermal reversible association provides an enhanced interaction which leads to less bacterial adhesion and uptake on the device and sustained release of a conditioning agent.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for treatment of lens surfaces by first coating the mold material with a reactive macromonomer and subsequently casting and curing the lens forming material along with the coating material present on the surface of the mold. The macromonomer reacts with the lens monomer mix and is covalently bound to the lens matrix. The modified lenses may ultimately show enhanced wettability, inhibition of bacterial adhesion and lower levels of protein and lipid deposition leading to increased comfort and longer wearing times.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward surface treatment of a device. The surface treatment comprises the attachment of terminal functionalized surfactants to the surface of the substrate by means of reactive functionalities of the terminal functionalized surfactant material reacting with complementary surface reactive functionalities in monomeric units along the polymer substrate. The present invention is also directed to a surface modified medical device, examples of which include contact lenses, intraocular lenses, vascular stents, phakic intraocular lenses, aphakic intraocular lenses, corneal implants, catheters, implants, and the like, comprising a surface made by such a method.

Abstract: A medical device having a reduced affinity for bacterial attachment comprises a coating polymer that is attached to a surface thereof, the coating polymer providing a plurality of charges at a physiological condition. The medical device is produced by contacting the coating polymer with the medical device such that the coating polymer is attached thereto. The coating polymer may be attached to the medical device through an intermediate polymer.

Abstract: A demonstration kit and method for marketing lens care solution. The kit contains two demonstrations. One demonstration is directed to lubricity and the other demonstration is directed to protein stabilization. The protein assay uses a solution of urea.