Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to method of forming a shape memory polymer (SMP) scaffold. In general, the method includes preparing a salt template, preparing a macromer and/or polymer solution having at least one macromer or polymer, preparing a photoinitiator solution having at least one photoinitiator, adding the macromer and/or polymer solution and the photoinitiator solution to the salt template, exposing the salt template to ultraviolet light, removing the salt template, and forming an SMP scaffold. In some embodiments, the at least one macromer or polymer has at least one star configuration. In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to an SMP scaffold having at least one macromer, polymer, or photoinitiator to crosslink a polymer. In some embodiments, the at least one macromer or polymer has a star configuration. The SMP scaffold can be formed via solvent-casting/particulate leaching, electrospinning, additive manufacturing, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A cartilage mimetic gel includes double network hydrogels. The double network hydrogels comprise a first crosslinked network and a second crosslinked network. The first crosslinked network can be formed from poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid). The second crosslinked network can be formed from poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-acrylamide).

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for cleaning an implanted medical device. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a medical device including a membrane; wherein the membrane comprises a thermoresponsive hydrogel including N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) or poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), and a volume phase transition temperature (VPTT). The method also includes implanting the medical device into a target area; wherein the membrane temperature is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the target area; wherein temperature fluctuations within the target area that approach, meet and/or exceed the volume phase transition temperature induce deswelling or relative deswelling in the membrane and temperature fluctuations within the target area that are relatively lower and/or approach and/or fall below the volume phase transition temperature induce swelling or relative swelling in the membrane.

Abstract: A method of forming a cartilage mimetic gel includes irradiating a first network precursor in a first network, forming, via the irradiating, a single network hydrogel, soaking the single network hydrogel in a second network comprising a second network precursor, irradiating the second network precursor forming a double network hydrogel structure, and soaking the double network hydrogel structure to allow for the double network hydrogel structure to swell to equilibrium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique technology for preparing a growth-factor free, cylindrical, hydrogel implant that has multiple (three or more) longitudinal hydrogel zones with varying chemical and physical properties. The implant may be wholly made of hydrogels or the hydrogels may be associated with cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique technology for preparing a growth-factor free, cylindrical, hydrogel implant that has multiple (three or more) longitudinal hydrogel zones with varying chemical and physical properties. The implant may be wholly made of hydrogels or the hydrogels may be associated with cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Abstract: A method of making a shape memory polymer (SMP) tissue scaffold includes forming a salt template and adding a macromer solution to the salt template. The macromer solution may include a photoinitiator solution. The method includes drying the SMP scaffold and leaching salt from the SMP scaffold. A coating is then applied to the SMP scaffold. The coating may be applied either before or after heating the SMP scaffold.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for cleaning an implanted medical device. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a medical device including a membrane; wherein the membrane comprises a thermoresponsive hydrogel including N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) or poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), and a volume phase transition temperature (VPTT). The method also includes implanting the medical device into a target area; wherein the membrane temperature is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the target area; wherein temperature fluctuations within the target area that approach, meet and/or exceed the volume phase transition temperature induce deswelling or relative deswelling in the membrane and temperature fluctuations within the target area that are relatively lower and/or approach and/or fall below the volume phase transition temperature induce swelling or relative swelling in the membrane.

Abstract: In this disclosure, an amphiphilic siloxane may comprise a siloxane tether and polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: A method of making a shape memory polymer (SMP) tissue scaffold includes forming a salt template and adding a macromer solution to the salt template. The macromer solution may include a photoinitiator solution. The method includes drying the SMP scaffold and leaching salt from the SMP scaffold. A coating is then applied to the SMP scaffold. The coating may be applied either before or after heating the SMP scaffold.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to compositions, devices, systems, and methods including and/or for preparing and/or using a thermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogel. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of preparing a hydrogel including, for example, photochemically curing an aqueous solution of NIPAAm and copoly(dimethylsiloxane/methylvinylsiloxane) colloidal nanoparticles (˜219 nm). At temperatures above a volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of ˜33-34° C., a hydrogel may deswell and become hydrophobic, while lowering the temperature below a VPTT may cause the hydrogel to swell and become hydrophilic.