Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a cross-linked gelatin sponge having a surface by providing a cross-linked gelatin sponge, wetting the surface of the sponge by applying a sufficient amount of liquid comprising a protein or peptide active ingredient, wherein a sufficient amount of liquid is one that retains the flexibility of the sponge even after drying. The sponge is then dried the sponge to obtain a flexible, dry and ready to use cross linked gelatin sponge having a layer of protein or peptide active ingredient on the surface thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a viral-safe platelet extract, to its preparation and use. The extract comprises a mixture of biologically active platelet derived factors. Advantageously, the extract comprises a balanced proportion of the factors and is non-clottable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dispensing a fixed dose of fluid, the device comprising at least one barrel; at least one plunger at least partially enclosed within the barrel; a motion conversion mechanism for transferring actuated pressure force applied outside the barrel into movement of the at least one plunger in a dispensing direction, wherein the motion conversion mechanism comprises at least one rotating gear; and a releasing mechanism for disconnecting the plunger from the motion conversion mechanism, wherein at a released position the at least one plunger can move in a direction opposite to the dispensing direction, independent of a rotational movement of the at least one gear, and wherein the movement of the plunger in the opposite direction to the dispensing enables loading the fluid into the barrel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a viral-safe platelet extract, to its preparation and use. The extract comprises a mixture of biologically active platelet derived factors. Advantageously, the extract comprises a balanced proportion of the factors and is non-clottable.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for dissolving solid protein compositions, such as solid compositions comprising fibrinogen, in an aqueous solvent. The methods comprise use of a closed container containing a volume of solid fibrinogen composition and a head space wherein the pressure within the headspace is sub-atmospheric. Aqueous solvent is introduced into the container while maintain the sub-atmospheric pressure, and subsequent to addition of the solvent, the size of the headspace is decreased to bring the pressure to atmospheric pressure. The devices are suitable for use in the disclosed method.

Abstract: A method for specifically removing or isolating plasmin(ogen) or plasmin in presence of fibrinogen from a mixture containing plasmin(ogen) or plasmin by contacting the mixture with a rigid amino acid wherein the amino group of the amino acid and the carboxylic group of the amino acid are about 6-8 Angstroms, preferably about 7 Angstroms apart and the rigid amino acid is covalently bound to the support via the amino group of the amino acid.

Abstract: Specific peptides have been discovered that mimic an idiotype of an autoantibody. Such peptides may be formed into polymers. The peptides may be used in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of an autoimmune disease together with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a cross-linked gelatin sponge having a surface by providing a cross-linked gelatin sponge, wetting the surface of the sponge by applying a sufficient amount of liquid comprising a protein or peptide active ingredient, wherein a sufficient amount of liquid is one that retains the flexibility of the sponge even after drying. The sponge is then dried the sponge to obtain a flexible, dry and ready to use cross linked gelatin sponge having a layer of protein or peptide active ingredient on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A method for identifying molecules which mimic an idiotype of an autoimmune disease-associated auto-antibody (autoantibodies). The method comprises the following steps: (a) purifying autoantibodies from sera of one or more patients afflicted with the autoimmune disease; (b) binding the autoantibodies to a solid phase to form an affinity matrix; (c) contacting pooled plasma or B cells comprising immunoglobulins with the affinity matrix followed by removal of unbound plasma components; (d) eluting bound immunoglobulins, being anti-Idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id) to autoantibodies, from the matrix; (e) providing a molecular library comprising a plurality of molecule members; and (e) contacting the anti-Id with the molecular library and isolating those bound molecules which are bound by the anti-Id, the bound molecules being molecules which mimic an idiotype of autoantibodies. Also disclosed are such molecules.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a staple cartridge that is insertable into the end effector. The staple cartridge includes a buttress material that is selectively coupled to the staple cartridge. In some versions the buttress material may be stapled to the staple cartridge by one or more attachment staples. Such attachment staples may be inserted into staple apertures formed through an upper deck of the staple cartridge. The attachment staples may include resiliently biased legs to frictionally resist removal. In some versions the attachment staples may be sized to form an interference fit in the staple apertures. Alternatively, the attachment staples may include barbs. A staple driver may be used to decouple the attachment staples. The staple driver may include staple forming pockets to bend the legs of the attachment staple when decoupling the attachment staple.

Abstract: An apparatus including a surgical instrument may be used to sever and staple a portion of tissue. In some versions, the apparatus comprises a retainer cap. The retainer cap is in communication with the surgical instrument. The apparatus also comprises buttress material operable to couple with a portion of the surgical instrument. In some versions, the buttress material may comprise a plurality of tabs or other similar structures for coupling the buttress material to the surgical instrument. In some versions, a cutter may be operable to decouple the buttress material from the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft housing a firing bar, an end effector comprising an anvil, a lower jaw, and a stapling and severing assembly responsive to a longitudinal closing motion produced by the handle portion and the shaft. The lower jaw is configured to receive a cartridge when in an open position. The cartridge includes a housing, a plurality of staples disposed in the housing, and a deck disposed over the plurality of staples. The deck defines apertures, with each aperture being substantially disposed over each staple. The cartridge further receives a matrix including glue beads suspended in the matrix. The staples are driven through the matrix to secure the matrix to tissue. The glue beads are activated when the matrix is secured to the tissue, such that the activated adhesive further secures the staple line in the tissue.

Abstract: A method for preparing a concentrated, immunoglobulin composition for treating subjects vaccinated against or infected with a pathogenic microorganism, comprising: (a) selecting a population of individuals previously vaccinated against one or more antigens associated with the pathogenic microorganism; (b) determining the level of specific antibodies immunoreactive with the pathogenic microorganism in a blood or blood component of the individuals to identify very high titre individuals having a very high titre of the specific antibodies; (c) combining blood or blood components comprising immunoglobulins from the very high titre individuals; and (d) purifying and/or concentrating the product of step (c), thereby obtaining a concentrated immunoglobulin composition.

Abstract: A concentrated, immunoglobulin composition for treating subjects vaccinated against or infected with a pathogenic microorganism, is made by (a) selecting a population of individuals previously vaccinated against antigens associated with the pathogenic microorganism; (b) identifying very high titre individuals by determining the level of specific antibodies immunoreactive with the pathogenic microorganism in the blood of the individuals; (c) combining blood from the very high titre individuals; and (d) purifying and/or concentrating the product of step (c). A concentrated immunoglobulin composition can include specific antibodies immunoreactive with a pathogenic microorganism, wherein the titre of specific antibodies is at least 5 times higher than the average titre of specific antibodies of a population of individuals previously vaccinated against antigens associated with the pathogenic microorganism. The composition has a relatively high protein concentration and a low percentage of protein aggregates.

Abstract: The invention relates to purification of an intact, non-degraded macromolecule from a biological mixture comprising the macromolecule in the presence of its lytic enzyme. The method comprises providing the biological mixture as a heterogeneous mixture comprising the lytic enzyme, at least partially, in soluble form and the macromolecule, at least partially, in non-soluble form; batch-wise contacting the heterogeneous mixture with an immobilized inhibitor of the lytic enzyme; increasing the solubility of the macromolecule in the mixture; and removing the immobilized inhibitor from the mixture.

Abstract: A method for micronization of a dispersion of particles including a protein having a predetermined level of biological activity, is provided. The method includes introducing the dispersion into a vortex chamber milling apparatus under milling conditions which result in a protein powder having a particle size distribution of 5 to 100 ?m and/or exhibiting a 30 to 400 fold size reduction of the protein particle dispersion from its original size, and retaining at least 80% of the predetermined level of biological activity of the protein. The milling conditions include one or more parameters selected from the following: input pressure between 1 and 7 Bars; injector pressure between 0.2 and 5 Bars; loading rate between 0.1 and 5 kg/hour; and gas flow between 30 and 100 m3/hour.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunoglobulin composition reduced in thrombogenic agents and to methods for its preparation. One method comprises subjecting an immunoglobulin containing solution to a negative cation exchanger chromatography at a pH in the range of higher than 3.8 to equal to or lower than 5.3. The solution can also be subjected to a negative anion exchanger chromatography at a pH in the range of 7 to 8.2.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of using cells derived from umbilical cord tissue, to stimulate and support angiogenesis, to improve blood flow, to regenerate, repair, and improve skeletal muscle damaged by a peripheral ischemic event, and to protect skeletal muscle from ischemic damage in peripheral vascular disease patients are disclosed. In particular, methods of treating a patient having a peripheral vascular disease with umbilical derived cells and fibrin glue are disclosed.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a viral-safe platelet extract, to its preparation and use. The extract comprises a mixture of biologically active platelet derived factors. Advantageously, the extract comprises a balanced proportion of the factors and is non-clottable.