Abstract: Trocar retractor apparatus and methods for use are described where an apparatus for positioning an instrument may generally include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, an instrument positioning guide projecting from the first surface of the substrate, and one or more suction assemblies positioned along the second surface and in fluid communication with an interior of the substrate. The one or more suction assemblies may be attachable to a tissue region via a vacuum force applied through the one or more suction assemblies. The apparatus may also have the substrate configured to maintain a predetermined configuration when the vacuum force is applied.

Abstract: Trocar retractor apparatus and methods for use are described where an apparatus for positioning an instrument may generally include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, an instrument positioning guide projecting from the first surface of the substrate, and one or more suction assemblies positioned along the second surface and in fluid communication with an interior of the substrate. The one or more suction assemblies may be attachable to a tissue region via a vacuum force applied through the one or more suction assemblies. The apparatus may also have the substrate configured to maintain a predetermined configuration when the vacuum force is applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the prevention and treatment of implant associated complications; e.g. foreign body response (FBR). High mechanical stress at the implant-tissue interface activates a sustained inflammatory response, which is primarily responsible for implant associated complications and implant failure. In particular, described herein are apparatuses, devices, and compositions containing inhibitors of mechanotransduction, and methods of making and using such apparatuses, devices and compositions. These apparatuses, devices, compositions, and methods are useful for preventing or reducing unwanted fibrosis, inflammation or cancer that result from implantation of a biomedical implant in an individual. One aspect of the invention provides a biomedical device including an effective amount of a composition containing a mechanotransduction inhibitor for preventing, inhibiting or treating implant associated complications.

Abstract: The methods, procedures, kits, and devices described herein assist with the healing process of tissue that was previously or simultaneously treated for a therapeutic or cosmetic effect. The methods, procedures, kits, and devices described herein can also provide temporary simulated results of a cosmetic procedure to allow for visual assessment to select the type of procedure or for treatment planning in advance of the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Trocar retractor apparatus and methods for use are described where an apparatus for positioning an instrument may generally include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, an instrument positioning guide projecting from the first surface of the substrate, and one or more suction assemblies positioned along the second surface and in fluid communication with an interior of the substrate. The one or more suction assemblies may be attachable to a tissue region via a vacuum force applied through the one or more suction assemblies. The apparatus may also have the substrate configured to maintain a predetermined configuration when the vacuum force is applied.

Abstract: Methods are described herein for facilitating tissue regeneration in humans and other large organisms, and kits therefor. Application of an inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) to injured tissue may reduce fibrosis and/or scarring during the wound healing process. Patient care for a large number of fibrotic diseases which affect organ function may be ameliorated by such treatment. Kits for application of the FAK inhibitor may include a hydrogel formulation encapsulating the FAK inhibitor.

Abstract: Methods of reducing skin fibrosis by prophylactically treating skin prior to radiation therapy are described herein. The methods include applying an effective amount of DFO to skin that may be subjected to radiation, e.g., during treatment for cancer at a treatment site. The DFO may be administered transdermally.

Abstract: A medical device for joining materials is provided. The device comprises a piercing element configured to penetrate materials to be joined. The piercing element is sufficiently sharp to penetrate materials to be joined and comprises a hollow interior along at least a portion of its length configured to distal advancement of a fastener therethrough; and an open tip through which the fastener can be pushed. The device can be used for fastening materials including tissue, synthetic mesh, and biologic mesh (e.g., ADM).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the treatment of cellulite. The methods comprise cutting the septae connecting the dermis from the underlying fascia, reducing the appearance of dimples and applying a patch to the skin over the cut septae to hold in place or remodel the skin to allow it to heal in the desired shape and to minimize the recurrence of dimples.

Abstract: Apparatuses, devices, compositions, and methods to ameliorate undesired side effects or outcomes, such as fibrosis due to surgical implants, wounds, or other bodily injury. In particular, described are apparatuses, devices, and compositions containing inhibitors of Wnt11 as well as methods of making and using them. These apparatuses, devices, compositions, and methods may be especially useful for preventing, reducing or treating unwanted fibrosis, such as that resulting from a biomedical implant implanted in an individual.

Abstract: Methods of increasing perfusion and vascularity in irradiated tissue and of increasing retention of fat cells in a fat graft in irradiated tissue by applying an effective amount of DFO to the irradiated tissue at a treatment site. The DFO may be administered transdermally.

Abstract: Methods of increasing perfusion and vascularity in irradiated tissue and of increasing retention of fat cells in a fat graft in irradiated tissue by applying an effective amount of DFO to the irradiated tissue at a treatment site. The DFO may be administered transdermally by applying a transdermal delivery device to a tissue surface at the treatment site in multiple discrete doses. The transdermal delivery system comprises DFO encapsulated in reverse micelles.

Abstract: Efficient stem cell delivery into biomaterials using capillary driven encapsulation are disclosed herein where stem/progenitor and/or tissue specific cells are rapidly and efficiently seeded via capillary driven encapsulation into a porous scaffold for cell delivery in the skin or any other organ. The rapid capillary force approach maximizes both seeding time and efficiency by combining hydrophobic, entropic and capillary forces to promote active, ‘bottom-up’ cell engraftment. This methodology uses micro domain patterned biopolymers in a porous dry gel to generate capillary pressure to move a viscous stem cell mix from a hydrophobic reservoir into the polymer matrix to promote active cell seeding within the entire gel volume.

Abstract: Devices, bandages, kits and methods are described that can control or regulate the mechanical environment of a wound to ameliorate scar and/or keloid formation. The mechanical environment of a wound includes stress, strain, and any combination of stress and strain. The control of a wound's mechanical environment can be active, passive, dynamic, or static. The devices are configured to be removably secured to a skin surface in proximity to the wound site and shield the wound from endogenous and/or exogenous stress.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds, including, without limitation, pressure ulcers and diabetic ulcers, by transdermal delivery of an agent that increases activity of HIF-1? in the wound.

Abstract: The formation of scars at a wound site is reduced by contacting the wound site with an effective dose of an inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) formulated in a pullulan hydrogel The release profile of the FAK inhibitor can be adjusted according to the nature of the wound, e.g., excisional wounds, burn wounds, etc.

Abstract: Efficient stem cell delivery into biomaterials using capillary driven encapsulation are disclosed herein where stem/progenitor and/or tissue specific cells are rapidly and efficiently seeded via capillary driven encapsulation into a porous scaffold for cell delivery in the skin or any other organ. The rapid capillary force approach maximizes both seeding time and efficiency by combining hydrophobic, entropic and capillary forces to promote active, ‘bottom-up’ cell engraftment. This methodology uses micro domain patterned biopolymers in a porous dry gel to generate capillary pressure to move a viscous stem cell mix from a hydrophobic reservoir into the polymer matrix to promote active cell seeding within the entire gel volume.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds, including, without limitation, pressure ulcers and diabetic ulcers, by transdermal delivery of an agent that increases activity of HIF-1? in the wound.

Abstract: The present invention provides threads of hyaluronic acid, and/or derivatives thereof, methods of making thereof and uses thereof, for example, in aesthetic applications (e.g., dermal fillers), surgery (sutures), drug delivery, etc.

Abstract: Provided herein are iron chelating compounds, compositions containing such compounds and methods of using the compounds in treating various aesthetic skin conditions. The iron chelating compositions may be administered topically or orally. Treating the aesthetic skin conditions includes preventing onset or delaying progression of the aesthetic skin condition.