Abstract: The present disclosure presents sealant compositions which can be used in the treatment of an ocular surface injury and methods of treating an ocular surface injury in a subject in need thereof. The sealant compositions can include methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA); GelMA; optionally, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA); and a visible light-activated photoinitiator. The methods include applying a sealant composition to an applicator; placing the applicator containing the sealant composition onto a surface of the eye of a subject, wherein the surface of the eye has or is suspected of having the ocular surface injury; and photo-crosslinking the sealant composition by exposing the applicator and the sealant composition to a visible light, for example, a visible light having a wavelength of about 400 nanometers (nm) to 800 nm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a smart bandage for monitoring and treating wounds are provided herein. The smart bandage may be a smart, wearable, flexible multi-layer substrate that may include a system that can monitor wound characteristics, perform autonomous bioanalysis of wound characteristics to determine wound treatment plans in a non-invasive method, perform drug delivery or antimicrobial agent release to treat and prevent infections, and promote healing by electrical stimulation. The smart bandage may be equipped with a wireless network that can communicate with users, such as patients and medical providers, directly about a patient's wound condition and provide for on-demand wound treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to a hydrogel composition and a method of fabricating the hydrogel composition comprising the steps of providing a solution comprising a polymer comprising crosslinkable groups; providing a solution comprising a crosslinking agent; mixing the solution comprising a polymer comprising crosslinkable groups and the solution comprising the crosslinking agent to form a combined solution; and crosslinking the combined solution. The invention also relates in part to a methods of treatment using the hydrogel composition.

Abstract: Neurosupportive materials that possess strong tissue adhesion were synthesized by photocrosslinking two polymers, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and methacryloyl-substituted tropoelastin (MeTro). The engineered materials exhibited tunable mechanical properties by varying the GelMA/MeTro ratio. In addition, GelMA/MeTro hydrogels exhibited 15-fold higher adhesive strength to nerve tissue ex vivo compared to traditionally used fibrin-based materials. Furthermore, the composites were shown to support Schwann cell (SC) viability and proliferation, as well as neurite extension and glial cell participation in vitro, which are essential cellular components for nerve regeneration. Finally, subcutaneously implanted GelMA/MeTro hydrogels exhibited slower degradation in vivo compared with pure GelMA, indicating its potential to support the growth of slowly regenerating nerves.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for repair and reconstruction of defects and injuries to soft tissues. Some aspects of the invention provide tissue adhesives comprising a hybrid hydrogel by using a naturally derived polymer, gelatin and a synthetic polymer, polyethylene glycol, wherein the hydrogel is biocompatible, biodegradable, transparent, strongly adhesive to corneal tissue, and have a smooth surface and biomechanical properties similar to the cornea.

Abstract: Neurosupportive materials that possess strong tissue adhesion were synthesized by photocrosslinking two polymers, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and methacryloyl-substituted tropoelastin (MeTro). The engineered materials exhibited tunable mechanical properties by varying the GelMA/MeTro ratio. In addition, GelMA/MeTro hydrogels exhibited 15-fold higher adhesive strength to nerve tissue ex vivo compared to traditionally used fibrin-based materials. Furthermore, the composites were shown to support Schwann cell (SC) viability and proliferation, as well as neurite extension and glial cell participation in vitro, which are essential cellular components for nerve regeneration. Finally, subcutaneously implanted GelMA/MeTro hydrogels exhibited slower degradation in vivo compared with pure GelMA, indicating its potential to support the growth of slowly regenerating nerves.