Abstract: The present specification discloses porous materials, methods of forming such porous materials, biocompatible implantable devices comprising such porous materials, and methods of making such biocompatible implantable devices.

Abstract: An implantable device comprises a reservoir that contains a fluid for filling an inflatable portion of a gastric band. A device is coupled to the reservoir and includes stored potential energy having a first state and a second state. The first state represents a higher level of potential energy and the second state represents a lower level of potential energy. The implantable device further comprises a filling valve coupled between the reservoir and the gastric band, and the filling valve is configured to be opened in response to a first telemetric signal. The stored potential energy decreases from the first state to the second state when the filling valve is open, and a filling amount of the fluid moves from the reservoir to the gastric band when the stored potential energy decreases from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: An implantable injection port facilitates filling and/or draining an inflatable portion of a gastric band. In an embodiment, the port comprises a movable cap that causes anchor wires to extend from anchor devices in order to implant the injection port in the tissue of a patient. In another embodiment, the port comprises a handle that rotates to implant curved anchors into the tissue of a patient. In yet another embodiment, a cap is configured to move towards a base of the port in order to cause the curved anchors to rotate into the tissue of a patient. The cap may also rotate with respect to the base in order to lock the cap and the anchors in position. Further, surfaces of the injection port may be textured to increase adhesiveness to the patient's tissue during installation and to facilitate simpler installation.

Abstract: A syringe is disclosed.

Abstract: The present specification generally relates to multifunctional polyethylene glycol-based crosslinking agents, hydrogel compositions comprising a matrix polymer crosslinked with such crosslinking agents, and methods of treating a soft tissue condition using such hydrogel compositions.

Abstract: A implantable prosthesis having an external surface at least a portion of which is an open-cell structure is made by providing an implantable member having a surface applying a first layer of elastomer to the surface, applying a first layer of particles to the first layer of elastomer, applying a second layer of elastomer to the first layer of particles, applying a second layer of particles to the second layer of elastomer, curing the layers of elastomer, and removing the particles to form an external surface at least a portion of which is an open-cell structure.

Abstract: Hair-like shaped crosslinked hydrogels and methods for preparing such crosslinked hydrogels and are provided.

Abstract: Described herein are polysaccharide gel formulations including at least one inhibitor of polysaccharide degradation and methods of making the same. The methods described herein involve the steps of providing at least one polysaccharide and incorporating at least one inhibitor of degradation into the polysaccharide.

Abstract: Described herein are polysaccharide gel formulations including at least one inhibitor of polysaccharide degradation and methods of making the same. The methods described herein involve the steps of providing at least one polysaccharide and incorporating at least one inhibitor of degradation into the polysaccharide. In some embodiments, the incorporating step comprises 1) mixing the at least one inhibitor with the at least one polysaccharide at a highly hydrated state thereby encapsulating the at least one inhibitor in a polysaccharide network, and 2) dehydrating the polysaccharide network thereby controlling release kinetics or final swell ratio. In another embodiment, the incorporating step comprises 1) encapsulating at least one inhibitor into a biocompatible or biodegradable vessel and 2) combining the polysaccharide and the vessel into a gel formulation. The polysaccharide gel formulations described herein can be used for a variety of cosmetic applications.

Abstract: Described herein are polysaccharide gel formulations including at least one inhibitor of polysaccharide degradation and methods of making the same. The methods described herein involve the steps of providing at least one polysaccharide and incorporating at least one inhibitor of degradation into the polysaccharide. In some embodiments, the incorporating step comprises 1) mixing the at least one inhibitor with the at least one polysaccharide at a highly hydrated state thereby encapsulating the at least one inhibitor in a polysaccharide network, and 2) dehydrating the polysaccharide network thereby controlling release kinetics or final swell ratio. In another embodiment, the incorporating step comprises 1) encapsulating at least one inhibitor into a biocompatible or biodegradable vessel and 2) combining the polysaccharide and the vessel into a gel formulation. The polysaccharide gel formulations described herein can be used for a variety of cosmetic applications.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to novel biocompatible crosslinked polysaccharide gel compositions, methods of their manufacture and use, and the novel crosslinkers used to make them. In one aspect of the invention, a novel polyethylene glycol crosslinking agent is described for crosslinking hyaluronic acid. In another aspect of the invention, novel crosslinking agents comprising more than two functional groups are described. These multifunctional crosslinking agents can be used on their own to crosslink hyaluronic acid, or they may be combined with bifunctional crosslinking agents in varying ratios to make hyaluronic acid of tunable mechanical strength and hardness. The present invention also discloses novel hyaluronic acid compositions that have been coated with polyethylene glycol and methods of their use.