Abstract: The invention features materials and methods for the liquid to solid transition of an injectable pre-hydrogel composition to a hydrogel. These methods can be carried out in situ.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a pre-formed, hydrolytically susceptible non-addition polyanionic polymer comprising polymer strands formed from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and linking the polymer strands by at least one linking moiety comprising a hydrolytically susceptible bond, wherein at least one of which monomers has: i) one or more functional groups that can be titrated with base to form negatively charged functional groups; or ii) one or more precursor groups that are precursors of the functional groups that can be titrated with base; which precursor groups are converted to the functional groups.

Abstract: The invention features articles for delivery of a biologically active substance, methods for making such articles, and methods for treating an animal using the articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of treating a disease, such as diabetes, by implanting encapsulated biological material with a growth factor and conjugate into a patient in need of treatment. Several methods are presented to accomplish transplanting several different types of biological materials. This invention also provides methods of utilizing these encapsulated biological materials to treat different human and animal diseases or disorders by implanting them into several areas in the body including the subcutaneous site.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods for the formation of biocompatible membranes around biological materials using photopolymerization of water soluble molecules. The membranes can be used as a covering to encapsulate biological materials or biomedical devices, as a “glue” to cause more than one biological substance to adhere together, or as carriers for biologically active species. Several methods for forming these membranes are provided. Each of these methods utilizes a polymerization system containing water-soluble macromers, species, which are at once polymers and macromolecules capable of further polymerization. The macromers are polymerized using a photoinitiator (such as a dye), optionally a cocatalyst, optionally an accelerator, and radiation in the form of visible or long wavelength UV light. The reaction occurs either by suspension polymerization or by interfacial polymerization.

Abstract: Proteins are incorporated into protein or polysaccharide matrices for use in tissue repair, regeneration and/or remodeling, and/or drug delivery. The proteins can be incorporated so that they are released by degradation of the matrix, enzymatic action, and/or diffusion. In one embodiment, a fusion protein, which contains a crosslinking region, such as a factor XIIIa substrate, and a native protein sequence, such as a bioactive factor, is constructed. Degradable linkages may be included between the crosslinking region and the bioactive factor.

Abstract: Multifunctional, polyionic copolymers with molecular architectures and properties optimized for specific applications are synthesized on/or applied to substrate surfaces for analytical and sensing purposes. The coatings are particularly useful for suppression of non-specific interaction, adsorption or attachment of molecular or ionic components present in an analyte solution. Chemical, biochemical or biological groups that are able to recognize, interact with and bind specifically to target molecules in the material containing the analyte to be detected can be coupled to, integrated into, or absorbed to the multifunctional copolymers. These multifunctional copolymer coatings are compatible with a variety of different established methods to detect, sense and quantify the target molecule in an analyte.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating an area affected by a trauma, such as a corneal wound or internal trauma, comprising administering to the affected area a trauma treating effective amount of a composition comprising a polyanionic polymer.

Abstract: Biomaterial comprises a three dimensional polymeric network obtainable from the reaction of at least a first and second precursor molecule. The first precursor molecule is at least a trifunctional, branched component comprising at least three arms substantially similar in molecular weight and the second precursor molecule is at least a bifunctional component The ratio of equivalent weight or the functional groups of the first and second precursor molecule is in a range of between 0.9 and 1.1. The molecular weight of the arms of the first precursor molecule. the molecular weight of the second precursor molecule and the functionality of the branching points are selected so that the water content of the polymeric networks is between the equilibrium weight % and 92 weitht of the total weight of the polymeric network after completion of water uptake. The present invention teaches a way to improve characteristics of synthetic matrices which are useful for wound healing applications.

Abstract: The invention features materials and methods for the liquid to solid transition of an injectable pre-hydrogel composition to a hydrogel. These methods can be carried out in situ.

Abstract: A device with chemical surface patterns (defined surface areas of at least two different chemical compositions) with biochemical or biological relevance on substrates with prefabricated patterns of at least two different types of regions (?, ?, . . . ), whereas at least two different, consecutively applied molecular self-assembly systems (A, B, . . . ) are used in a way that at least one of the applied assembly systems (A or B or . . . ) is specific to one type of the prefabricated patterns (? or ? or . . . ).

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface for the immobilization of one or several first nucleic acids as recognition elements (“immobilization surface”), for the production of a recognition surface for the detection of one or several second nucleic acids in one or more samples which are brought into contact with the recognition surface, the first nucleic acids being applied to a layer of the graft copolymer poly(L-lysine)-g-poly(ethyleneglycol) (PLL-g-PEG) as surface for immobilization, characterized in that the grafting ratio g, in other words the ratio between the number of lysine units and the number of polyethylene glycol side chains (“PEG” side chains) has an average value between 7 and 13.

Abstract: A method for delivering a biologically active substance including the steps of: (a) combining said biologically active substance with a macromer; (b) forming a mixture of the combination formed in step (a); (c) polymerizing said mixture to form articles; and (d) administering said articles, or a portion thereof, to a mammal, where step (c) takes place in the absence of a polymerizable monovinyl monomer, is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods for the formation of biocompatible membranes around biological materials using photopolymerization of water soluble molecules. The membranes can be used as a covering to encapsulate biological materials or biomedical devices, as a “glue” to cause more than one biological substance to adhere together, or as carriers for biologically active species. Several methods for forming these membranes are provided. Each of these methods utilizes a polymerization system containing water-soluble macromers, species, which are at once polymers and macromolecules capable of further polymerization. The macromers are polymerized using a photoinitiator (such as a dye), optionally a cocatalyst, optionally an accelerator, and radiation in the form of visible or long wavelength UV light. The reaction occurs either by suspension polymerization or by interfacial polymerization.

Abstract: The invention features articles for delivery of a biologically active substance, methods for making such articles, and methods for treating an animal using the articles.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods for the formation of biocompatible membranes around biological materials using photopolymerization of water soluble molecules. The membranes can be used as a covering to encapsulate biological materials or biomedical devices, as a “glue” to cause more than one biological substance to adhere together, or as carriers for biologically active species.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying to a surface of mammalian tissue including soft, living tissue an initially fluent material and then activating the material by exposure to an energy source. The material may be a liquid capable of polymerization to a non-fluent state by exposure to actinic light. The device, and methods that may be practiced in association with the device, enable a wide range of medical conditions to be treated including, for example, the application of a barrier to soft tissue to prevent post-surgical adhesions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for treating intraluminal blockage using radical species generated with a photocatalyst. The photocatalyst may comprise, for example, a photocatalytic semiconductor, a photosensitizer, or a combination thereof. The radical species are brought into contact with the blockage, thereby locally oxidizing or transferring energy to the blockage, which disrupts the blockage. The photocatalyst is preferably disposed on the distal end of an optical fiber that is brought into close proximity or contact with the intraluminal blockage. The photocatalyst is then excited in a manner capable of generating radical species, for example, oxygen-containing radical species, in appropriate media.

Abstract: Methods for reducing or inhibiting the irreversible inactivation of water-soluble biologically active agents in biodegradable polymeric delivery systems which are designed to release such agents over a prolonged period of time, such as PLGA delivery systems are provided. The method comprises preparing a PLGA delivery systems whose microclimate, i.e. the pores where the active agent resides, uniformly or homogenously maintain a pH of between 3 and 9, preferably between 4 and 8, more preferably between 5 and 7.5 during biodegradation.

Abstract: Methods for reducing or inhibiting the irreversible inactivation of water-soluble biologically active agents in biodegradable polymeric delivery systems which are designed to release such agents over a prolonged period of time, such as PLGA delivery systems are provided. The method comprises preparing a PLGA delivery systems whose microclimate, i.e. the pores where the active agent resides, uniformly or homogenously maintain a pH of between 3 and 9, preferably between 4 and 8, more preferably between 5 and 7.5 during biodegradation.