Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods, cells, and compositions for preparing cardiac extracellular matrix. In particular, provided herein are methods for preparing a cardiac extracellular matrix using SUSD2 High fibroblasts and SUSD2 High myofibroblasts.

Abstract: Compositions and methods using an engineered cardiac fibroblast-derived 3-dimensional extracellular matrix (ECM) are disclosed. The ECM includes the structural proteins fibronectin, collagen type I, collagen type III, and elastin, and from 60% to 90% of the structural proteins present in the engineered extracellular matrix are fibronectin. The compositions, which can be used to treat cardiac disease or ischemic disease or injury, are injectable compositions, where the ECM is diced into small fragments or lyophilized into a powder. The disclosed methods include a method of treating ischemic disease or injury by contacting a cell free patch made from the ECM with the injured tissue, without the concomitant delivery of therapeutic cells, and a method of treating ischemic limb injury by contacting a patch, either by itself or seeded with therapeutic cells, with the injured limb tissue.

Abstract: Compositions and methods using an engineered cardiac fibroblast-derived 3-dimensional extracellular matrix (ECM) are disclosed. The ECM includes the structural proteins fibronectin, collagen type I, collagen type III, and elastin, and from 60% to 90% of the structural proteins present in the engineered extracellular matrix are fibronectin. The compositions, which can be used to treat cardiac disease or ischemic disease or injury, are injectable compositions, where the ECM is diced into small fragments or lyophilized into a powder. The disclosed methods include a method of treating ischemic disease or injury by contacting a cell free patch made from the ECM with the injured tissue, without the concomitant delivery of therapeutic cells, and a method of treating ischemic limb injury by contacting a patch, either by itself or seeded with therapeutic cells, with the injured limb tissue.

Abstract: A connector adapted for use in an illumination system comprising at least one optical element, such as an optical fiber. is disclosed. The connector comprises a housing dimensioned so that internally it retains at least one end portion of at least one optical element, and externally substantially follows the shape of the end portion(s) of the optical element(s). This forms a join between the ends of the optical element(s). A light source is also contained within the housing and positioned so as to illuminate the end portions of at least one optical element. Electrical connection means adapted to connect the light source to an external power supply are provided. The electrical connection means being moveable relative to the housing. The electrical connection means may be carried by a flexible substrate, or may be formed by slideable contacts within a light guide rail.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect a light device having a light guide. The light guide (20) has at least one major side defining a light extraction side (26). The light device further has at least one fibrous layer (30), typically a non-woven or woven fibrous layer, disposed on the major side of said light guide defining said light extraction side. At the light extraction side, the light device has a plurality of discrete bonding areas (40) at which the at least one fibrous layer is bonded to the major side of said light guide. In a particular aspect, the bonding areas define light extraction elements on the light extraction side. Such an arrangement typically provides for an easy, reliable and cost-effective light device useful for a variety of applications including, for example, illuminating the interior of a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect a light device having a light guide. The light guide (20) has at least one major side defining a light extraction side (26). The light device further has at least one fibrous layer (30), typically a non-woven or woven fibrous layer, disposed on the major side of said light guide defining said light extraction side. At the light extraction side, the light device has a plurality of discrete bonding areas (40) at which the at least one fibrous layer is bonded to the major side of said light guide. In a particular aspect, the bonding areas define light extraction elements on the light extraction side.

Abstract: An illumination system incorporating an optical element such as an optical fibre is disclosed. The system comprises at least one light source and an optical element configured to emit visible light from a series of emission points located along its length when coupled to the light source. Each end of the optical element and the light source are held within a sleeve such that the optical element forms a continuous light guide. The optical element is further adapted to fit within a housing and to be held in tension within that housing, such that the optical element sits within the housing in a preferred orientation. Preferably, the light source is a light emitting diode.

Abstract: A connector adapted for use in an illumination system comprising at least one optical element, such as an optical fibre. is disclosed. The connector comprises a housing dimensioned so that internally it retains at least one end portion of at least one optical element, and externally substantially follows the shape of the end portion(s) of the optical element(s). This forms a join between the ends of the optical element(s). A light source is also contained within the housing and positioned so as to illuminate the end portions of at least one optical element. Electrical connection means adapted to connect the light source to an external power supply are provided. The electrical connection means being moveable relative to the housing. The electrical connection means may be carried by a flexible substrate, or may be formed by slideable contacts within a light guide rail.

Abstract: A lid adapted to be mounted on the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine by attachment screws includes a cap and a carrier element adapted to be attached to the cylinder head by the attachment screws. To achieve an improved sound decoupling, the cap and the carrier element are connected to an elastomer component, with the connection between the cap and the carrier element being, at least in part, exclusively constructed by the elastomer component, and with a space being provided between the cap and the carrier element. The carrier element possesses a substantially straight section arranged to extending preferably at a right angle to the attachment surface of the cylinder head, the substantially straight section of the carrier element, a portion of the elastomer component adjacent the cap, and a portion of the cap adjacent the carrier element extend in a straight line.

Abstract: A lid adapted to be mounted on the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine by attachment screws includes a cap and a carrier element adapted to be attached to the cylinder head by the attachment screws. To achieve an improved sound decoupling, the cap and the carrier element are connected to an elastomer component, with the connection between the cap and the carrier element being, at least in part, exclusively constructed by the elastomer component, and with a space being provided between the cap and the carrier element. The carrier element possesses a substantially straight section arranged to extending preferably at a right angle to the attachment surface of the cylinder head, the substantially straight section of the carrier element, a portion of the elastomer component adjacent the cap, and a portion of the cap adjacent the carrier element extend in a straight line.