Abstract: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

Abstract: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a curable composition includes a dual barrel syringe including a first syringe barrel with a first plunger, and a second syringe barrel with a second plunger. A static mixer is connected with distal ends of the first and second syringe barrels. The first and second plungers are moveable toward the distal ends of the first and second syringe barrels for expelling first and second components of a curable composition from the distal ends of the barrels into the static mixer for mixing the components to form the curable composition. A flexible spreader connected with a distal end of the static mixer has a flat dispensing opening, and a plurality of channels extending to the flat dispensing opening to dispense the curable composition. A hot gas blower generates a hot gas stream flowing distally over the distal end of the flexible spreader for curing the curable composition.

Abstract: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

Abstract: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds with antimicrobial effectiveness are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

Abstract: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds with antimicrobial effectiveness are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

Abstract: An aerosol spray device includes a container having first and second fluid reservoirs disposed therein that are divided from one another. The first fluid reservoir holds a first mixture including a first aerosol propellant and a first part of a silicone based topical skin adhesive that is dissolved in the first aerosol propellant. The second fluid reservoir holds a second mixture including a second aerosol propellant and a second part of the silicone based topical skin adhesive that is dissolved in the second aerosol propellant. An aerosol spray dispensing system is connected with the container, which is configured to combine the first and second mixtures to form the silicone based topical skin adhesive and dispense the silicone based topical skin adhesive from the container as an aerosol spray.

Abstract: Embodiments of immunogenic conjugates including the HIV-1 Env fusion peptide and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the immunogenic conjugates can be used to generate an immune response to HIV-1 Env in a subject, for example, to treat or prevent an HIV-1 infection in the subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coating surgical needles are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the RSV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the RSV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or preventing a RSV infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the recombinant RSV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

Abstract: Provided are rapidly cross-linkable silicone compositions, systems, kits, and methods for filling implanted medical devices in situ, the implanted medical devices, including for example, body implants and tissue expanders, the compositions including a platinum divinyl disiloxane complex; a low viscosity vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane; a low viscosity hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane; and a silicone cross-linker, where the rapidly cross-linkable silicone composition has a viscosity of ?150 cPs for ?1 min. post-preparation and ?300 cPs?5 min. post-preparation, at ambient temperature.

Abstract: Provided are rapidly cross-linkable silicone foam compositions, kits, and methods for filling implanted medical devices in situ or in vivo, the implanted medical devices, including for example, body implants and tissue expanders, the compositions including a platinum divinyl disiloxane complex; a low viscosity vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane; a low viscosity hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane; a silicone cross-linker; and a gas and/or gas-filled microcapsules, where the rapidly cross-linkable silicone foam composition has a viscosity of ?150 cPs for ?1 min. post-preparation and ?300 cPs?5 min. post-preparation, at ambient temperature.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis includes a silicone shell having an apex, a base, a radius located between the apex and the base, and a dome extending between the apex and the radius. The silicone shell has an outer surface and an inner surface that surrounds an interior volume of the silicone shell. A silicone gel material is disposed within the interior volume of the silicone shell. A gelling enhancer layer containing a gelling enhancer covers the inner surface of the silicone shell. After the silicone gel material has been thermally cured, the silicone gel material that is located within a zone that is in the vicinity of the gelling enhancer layer has a higher level of cohesiveness than the silicone gel material that is located outside the zone. The gelling enhancer contains crosslinker and/or platinum catalyst, such as a Karstedt catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant human Parainfluenza Virus (hPIV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the hPIV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the hPIV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or inhibiting a hPIV infection in a subject by administering a effective amount of the recombinant hPIV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

Abstract: A novel two-step process for batch coating surgical needles with cross-linked silicone coatings is disclosed. The surgical needles are cured using a two-step process. The coatings on the needles are partially cured in the first step and mechanically separated. The coatings on the needles are then fully cured in the second step.

Abstract: A low-hazardous electropolishing process has been developed to remove oxide layer(s) from the surface of nitinol needles. Low concentrations of citric acid and sulfamic acid are mixed with medium concentrations of sulfuric acid to use as an electrolyte solution. The process can be easily fitted into current suture needle manufacturing processes as well as into processes require electropolishing of nitinol-containing medical devices.

Abstract: The invention describes compositions that include amine-containing silsesquioxane or an amine-containing alkyltrialkoxysilane and a thermoplastic elastomer as well as methods of preparation of the compositions that are useful as self-bonding adhesives for various substrates.

Abstract: A novel two-step process for batch coating surgical needles with cross-linked silicone coatings is disclosed. The surgical needles are cured using a two-step process. The coatings on the needles are partially cured in the first step and mechanically separated. The coatings on the needles are then fully cured in the second step.

Abstract: A non-hazardous cleaning solution/process has been developed to remove oxide residues from the surface of blackened needles. Low concentrations of citric acid solution are mixed with blackened needles and treated in an ultrasonic tank for short period of time (<5 minutes). The oxide residues are substantially removed. Quite surprisingly and unexpectedly, the penetration performance of the cleaned needles are greatly improved by up to 50% over other tested cleaning solutions.

Abstract: A needle and suture assembly includes a needle made of a superelastic alloy, such as Nitinol, including an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end with a sharpened tip, a suture having a free end juxtaposed with the proximal end of the elongated body of the needle, and a connector disposed between the needle and the suture. The connector includes a first end attached to the proximal end of the elongated body of the needle and a second end attached to the free end of the suture. The connector is made of a material, such as stainless steel, having less elasticity and greater plasticity than the superelastic alloy of the needle.