Abstract: The present invention provides tissue expanders comprising biodegradable, chemically cross-linked hydrogels which are elastic in the dry state. These biocompatible tissue expanders are self-inflating and membrane-free. They swell slowly and elicit minimal negative tissue responses, while allowing for rapid and easy manipulation by the surgeon at the time of emplacement.

Abstract: Methods for the formulation of biodegradable microparticles for delivery of protein drugs, such as botulinum toxin, have been developed. The methods include the steps of precipitating and washing proteins with organic solvent to remove water prior to dispersing in polymer-dissolved organic solvent to prevent exposure to water/solvent interfaces and maintain bioactivity of the protein drugs and fabrication of microparticles by either template or emulsion method. Biodegradable microparticles, formed of one or more biodegradable polymers having entrapped in the polymer one or more protein agents, such as botulinum toxin, are also provided. Precipitated botulinum toxin and botulinum toxin-loaded microparticles can also be formulated into thermogels or crosslinked hydrogels. The stability of the protein within these microparticles, as well as the controlled release of the entrapped agents, provides for sustained efficacy of the agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans. More particularly, this invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans for use in vascular intervention procedures. The invention also relates to kits comprising such collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans and catheters or stents.

Abstract: A semi-automated device that provides a mechanism to produce large-scale microparticle formulations of specific sizes with no scum layer formation, and a method for using the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of selected thermogelling polymers for the purpose of growing tumor spheroids. The invention provides a thermogelling platform comprising a synthetic polymer which, when seeded with cancer cells, induces the cells to grow into a natural spheroidal pattern forming a tumor spheroid. After accomplishing this in about 3-10 days, the gel washes away, leaving behind the spheroids.

Abstract: This invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans and engineered collagen matrices comprising a collagen matrix and a collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan where the collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan can be aberrant or can have amino acid homology with a portion of the amino acid sequence of a protein or a proteoglycan that regulates collagen fibrillogenesis. The invention also relates to kits, compounds, compositions, and engineered graft constructs comprising such collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans or engineered collagen matrices and methods for their preparation and use.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for determining a concentration of glucose in exhaled breadth. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system including a sample collection module configured to collect a condensate sample produced from a mixture of exhaled breadth from a subject and ambient air. The condensate sample includes exhaled breadth glucose and ambient air glucose. The system also includes an assay module configured to assay the condensate sample for total glucose. The system also includes an analysis module that includes a processor that is configured to determine a total glucose concentration in the condensate sample, and adjust the total glucose concentration based upon a concentration of the ambient air glucose in the condensate sample, thereby determining a concentration of the exhaled breadth glucose in the exhaled breadth from the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides tissue expanders comprising biodegradable, chemically cross-linked hydrogels which are elastic in the dry state. These biocompatible tissue expanders are self-inflating and membrane-free. They swell slowly and elicit minimal negative tissue responses, while allowing for rapid and easy manipulation by the surgeon at the time of emplacement.

Abstract: This invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans and engineered collagen matrices comprising a collagen matrix and a collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan where the collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan can be aberrant or can have amino acid homology with a portion of the amino acid sequence of a protein or a proteoglycan that regulates collagen fibrillogenesis. The invention also relates to kits, compounds, compositions, and engineered graft constructs comprising such collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans or engineered collagen matrices and methods for their preparation and use.

Abstract: This invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans and engineered collagen matrices comprising a collagen matrix and a collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan where the collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan can be aberrant or can have amino acid homology with a portion of the amino acid sequence of a protein or a proteoglycan that regulates collagen fibrillogenesis. The invention also relates to kits, compounds, compositions, and engineered graft constructs comprising such collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans or engineered collagen matrices and methods for their preparation and use.

Abstract: Drug eluting stents (DES) useful for the treatment of restenosis are described. The stents comprise biocompatible polymers and adenosine receptor modulators.

Abstract: This invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans. More particularly, this invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans for use in vascular intervention procedures. The invention also relates to kits comprising such collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans and catheters or stents.

Abstract: A semi-automated device that provides a mechanism to produce large-scale microparticle formulations of specific sizes with no scum layer formation, and a method for using the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for loading a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device. The method includes the steps of sealing a plurality of openings extending through the medical device from a first side to a second side with a sealing member to substantially prevent a beneficial agent from passing through the openings, partially filling the openings with the beneficial agent delivered from an automated micro-jetting dispenser, substantially solidifying the beneficial agent, and removing the sealing member from the plurality of openings.

Abstract: Biodegradable microcapsules include a biodegradable polymer shell and filling material. The polymer shell completely encompasses the filling material. The filling material may include one or more biodegradable microparticles or a therapeutic agent or both.

Abstract: A system is provided that simulates the in vivo micro-environment of three-dimensional cellular structures or bodies, such as tumors. The system simulates the pressure gradients and fluid flows of the vascular and lymphatic systems as well as the interstitial and capillary transport mechanisms between the 3D cellular structure and the vascular and lymphatic systems. The system can be used to introduce drugs or drug delivery carriers to a tumor, for example, to assess the uptake capability and effect on the tumor. The system maintains the viability of the tumor cells for a sufficiently long period of time to permit testing of several different drugs and/or delivery carriers.

Abstract: Discrete microstructures of predefined size and shape are prepared using sol-gel phase-reversible hydrogel templates. An aqueous solution of hydrogel-forming material is covered onto a microfabricated silicon wafer master template having predefined microfeatures, such as pillars. A hydrogel template is formed, usually by lowering the temperature, and the formed hydrogel template is peeled away from the silicon master template. The wells of predefined size and shape on the hydrogel template are filled with a solution or a paste of a water-insoluble polymer, and the solvent is removed to form solid structures. The formed microstructures are released from the hydrogel template by simply melting the hydrogel template in water. The microstructures are collected by centrifugation. The microstructures fabricated by this method exhibit pre-defined size and shape that exactly correspond to the microwells of the hydrogel template.

Abstract: Discrete microstructures of predefined size and shape are prepared using sol-gel phase-reversible hydrogel templates. An aqueous solution of hydrogel-forming material is covered onto a microfabricated silicon wafer master template having predefined microfeatures, such as pillars. A hydrogel template is formed, usually by lowering the temperature, and the formed hydrogel template is peeled away from the silicon master template. The wells of predefined size and shape on the hydrogel template are filled with a solution or a paste of a water-insoluble polymer, and the solvent is removed to form solid structures. The formed microstructures are released from the hydrogel template by simply melting the hydrogel template in water. The microstructures are collected by centrifugation. The microstructures fabricated by this method exhibit pre-defined size and shape that exactly correspond to the microwells of the hydrogel template.

Abstract: This invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans. More particularly, this invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans for use in vascular intervention procedures. The invention also relates to kits comprising such collagen—binding synthetic peptidoglycans and catheters or stents.

Abstract: This invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans and engineered collagen matrices comprising a collagen matrix and a collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan where the collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan can be aberrant or can have amino acid homology with a portion of the amino acid sequence of a protein or a proteoglycan that regulates collagen fibrillogenesis. The invention also relates to kits, compounds, compositions, and engineered graft constructs comprising such collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans or engineered collagen matrices and methods for their preparation and use.