Abstract: The present invention comprises chitosan materials and methods of using carbonic acid for aqueous solubilization of neutralized or pre-treated chitosan gels and provides, among other things, substantially acid salt free composition native final forms without requiring subsequent acid salt elution. The invention includes chitosan-based solid and semi-solid material forms, optionally reinforced with chitosan fibers, such as powders, fibers, films, matrices, sponges, implants, scaffolds, fillers, and hydrogels. Native final forms are produced from chitosan powder solubilized in an aqueous acidic solution, processed to form a high pH hydrated chitosan gel precipitate material that is then neutralized by water washing and re-solubilized substantially to chitosan solution using carbonic acid.

Abstract: The present invention comprises chitosan materials and methods of using carbonic acid for aqueous solubilization of neutralized or pre-treated chitosan gels and provides, among other things, substantially acid salt free composition native final forms without requiring subsequent acid salt elution. The invention includes chitosan-based solid and semi-solid material forms, optionally reinforced with chitosan fibers, such as powders, fibers, films, matrices, sponges, implants, scaffolds, fillers, and hydrogels. Native final forms are produced from chitosan powder solubilized in an aqueous acidic solution, processed to form a high pH hydrated chitosan gel precipitate material that is then neutralized by water washing and re-solubilized substantially to chitosan solution using carbonic acid.

Abstract: The present invention comprises chitosan materials and methods of using carbonic acid for aqueous solubilization of neutralized or pre-treated chitosan gels and provides, among other things, substantially acid salt free composition native final forms without requiring subsequent acid salt elution. The invention includes chitosan-based solid and semi-solid material forms, optionally reinforced with chitosan fibers, such as powders, fibers, films, matrices, sponges, implants, scaffolds, fillers, and hydrogels. Native final forms are produced from chitosan powder solubilized in an aqueous acidic solution, processed to form a high pH hydrated chitosan gel precipitate material that is then neutralized by water washing and re-solubilized substantially to chitosan solution using carbonic acid.

Abstract: The present invention comprises chitosan materials and methods of using carbonic acid for aqueous solubilization of neutralized or pre-treated chitosan gels and provides, among other things, substantially acid salt free composition native final forms without requiring subsequent acid salt elution. The invention includes chitosan-based solid and semi-solid material forms, optionally reinforced with chitosan fibers, such as powders, fibers, films, matrices, sponges, implants, scaffolds, fillers, and hydrogels. Native final forms are produced from chitosan powder solubilized in an aqueous acidic solution, processed to form a high pH hydrated chitosan gel precipitate material that is then neutralized by water washing and re-solubilized substantially to chitosan solution using carbonic acid.

Abstract: The present invention comprises chitosan materials and methods of using carbonic acid for aqueous solubilization of neutralized or pre-treated chitosan gels and provides, among other things, substantially acid salt free composition native final forms without requiring subsequent acid salt elution. The invention includes chitosan-based solid and semi-solid material forms, optionally reinforced with chitosan fibers, such as powders, fibers, films, matrices, sponges, implants, scaffolds, fillers, and hydrogels. Native final forms are produced from chitosan powder solubilized in an aqueous acidic solution, processed to form a high pH hydrated chitosan gel precipitate material that is then neutralized by water washing and re-solubilized substantially to chitosan solution using carbonic acid.

Abstract: Described is a tightening device for automatically tightening a lace. The tightening device includes a housing with a power source and a pair of motors. A pair of planetary gear boxes are connected with the motors. A pair of spools are connected with the gear boxes. Laces are wound around the spools such that activation of the motors causes rotation of the spools. The housing can be attached with or otherwise incorporated into the tongue of a shoe, such that the laces are operable as shoe laces. Thus, when a user activates the motors, the laces are wound around the spools to automatically tighten the shoe laces.

Abstract: Described is a device for automatically tying and untying shoe laces. The device includes a gear box for positioning with the tongue of a shoe, the gear box having pulleys around which laces can be wound. A motor is included in the gear box for selectively turning the pulleys to wind and unwind the laces. Controls accessible via the tongue of a shoe are provided for activating the motor. The laces are included for winding through lace holes of the shoe and around the pulleys. To prevent snagging and provide for smooth operation of the laces, the laces are formed of a plastic cable with a lacing sleeve wrapped around the plastic cable.

Abstract: Described is a tightening device for automatically tightening a lace. The tightening device includes a housing with a power source and a pair of motors. A pair of planetary gear boxes are connected with the motors. A pair of spools are connected with the gear boxes. Laces are wound around the spools such that activation of the motors causes rotation of the spools. The housing can be attached with or otherwise incorporated into the tongue of a shoe, such that the laces are operable as shoe laces. Thus, when a user activates the motors, the laces are wound around the spools to automatically tighten the shoe laces.

Abstract: The present invention comprises chitosan materials and methods of using carbonic acid for aqueous solubilization of neutralized or pre-treated chitosan gels and provides, among other things, substantially acid salt free composition native final forms without requiring subsequent acid salt elution. The invention includes chitosan-based solid and semi-solid material forms, optionally reinforced with chitosan fibers, such as powders, fibers, films, matrices, sponges, implants, scaffolds, fillers, and hydrogels. Native final forms are produced from chitosan powder solubilized in an aqueous acidic solution, processed to form a high pH hydrated chitosan gel precipitate material that is then neutralized by water washing and re-solubilized substantially to chitosan solution using carbonic acid.

Abstract: Wound dressing assemblies and methods of producing the wound dressing assemblies. The wound dressing assemblies various comprise individual layers of nanomaterials that have been formed according to an electrospinning process. Each of the layers can have different characteristics and qualities. The invention also provides guidance in selecting materials to form a wound dressing assembly, as well as possible adaptations to the electrospinning process to provide different characteristics for particular materials.

Abstract: Silver nanoparticles are mixed with a chitosan solution, to form a chitosan/silver nanoparticle dispersion, which is then subjected to a freeze-drying process, to form a chitosan/silver nanoparticle matrix suitable for use as a wound dressing.

Abstract: A lateral flow test strip for the analysis of a sample featuring numerous capture zones arranged in an array such that each capture zone is substantially equidistant from the sample containing area. The sample does not pass through another capture zone to reach any one of the other capture zones. The capture zones are preferably arranged in a linear array perpendicular to the flow of the sample through the lateral flow test strip. The lateral flow test strip allows for an increased number of simultaneous analyses of numerous analytes from one sample to occur on one lateral flow test strip.