Abstract: The present disclosure provides a keratin care composition, such as a hair rinse, hair masque, or hair serum composition comprising, a supramolecular or molecular compound that may be obtained by reaction between: i) at least two oil molecules each containing at least one reactive group chosen from OH, —CO(O)H, and NH2, ii) at least one linking molecule comprising at least two isocyanate or imidazole groups, and iii) said linking molecule comprising at least one pendant group capable of bonding to protein. The linking molecule may comprise a block ethylenic copolymer. Preferably, the block ethylenic copolymer is comprised of ethylene and propylene blocks. The bonded protein is generally keratin, and in particular, hair and/or skin.

Abstract: Bio-selective textured surfaces are described which mediate foreign body response, bacterial adhesion, and tissue adhesion on devices implanted in a mammalian body. Hierarchical levels of texture, some capable of establishing a Wenzel state others a Cassie state, are employed to interface with living structures, either to promote or discourage a particular biological response/interaction. Since a gaseous state is traditionally required to establish a Cassie or Wenzel state, and gases do not remain long in living tissue, described are tissue/device interactions analogous to the above states with the component normally represented by a gas replaced by a bodily constituent, wherein separation of tissue constituents develops and a desired interaction state evolves.

Abstract: Provided herein is a hierarchical superhydrophobic surface comprising an array of first geometrical features disposed on a substrate comprising a first material, and an array of second geometrical features disposed on the first features to form a hierarchical structure and a terminal level disposed on the second features, wherein the terminal level comprises a second material, the second material being different from the first material. The second material has a hydrophilicity different from the hydrophilicity of at least one of 1) the hydrophilicity of the second material and 2) hydrophilicity induced by the hierarchical structure. The present disclosure further methods of preparing hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces and medical devices comprising the hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrogels polymerized with a biofunctional moiety, biodegradable and permanent, designed to be implantable in a mammalian body and intended to block or mitigate the formation of tissue adhesions. The hydrogels of the present invention are characterized by comprising four structural elements: a) a polymeric backbone which defines the overall polymeric morphology, b) linkage groups, c) side chains, and d) biofunctional end groups. The hydrophobicity of the various structural elements are chosen to reduce tissue adhesion and enhance the biofunctional aspect of the end groups. The morphology of these polymers are typically of high molecular weight and have shape to encourage entanglement. Useful structures include branching chains, comb or brush, and dendritic morphologies.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides stents, particularly self-expanding stents, useful for the GI tract, and more particularly, useful for treating esophageal strictures. The stents provided herein include a medial region and proximal and distal cuffs having external diameters greater than the medial region diameter when the stent is in the deployed state. The medial region comprises an open weave wire construction. An elastomeric coating circumscribes the medial region, while the may be an extension of the wire construction or separate elements. Preferably, the cuffs have a textured surface for contact with the esophageal wall tissue to resist stent migration. The elastomer coated medial region provides a barrier to tissue ingrowth, and has an enhanced radial restoring force to maintain an open passageway in a body lumen. Optionally, the stent includes an exterior sheath with a surface pattern, to which the stent couples.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are complexes of gadolinium metal, ligand and meglumine that are substantially free of non-aqueous solvents. In particular, solvent-free complexes of 1) gadopentetate dimeglumine and 2) gadoterate meglumine are disclosed and methods of their preparation are disclosed. In addition, methods are disclosed for purifying reactants, monitoring and controlling pH, quantifying the free gadolinium content, quantifying the concentration of gadolinium-ligand complex in aqueous solution, and procedures for producing a drug product in one step. The one step process eliminates the need to dry the gadolinium-ligand complex, which is typically highly hygroscopic. The one step process includes purification steps that do not require the use of non-aqueous solvents.

Abstract: Bio-selective textured surfaces are described which mediate foreign body response, bacterial adhesion, and tissue adhesion on devices implanted in a mammalian body. Hierarchical levels of texture, some capable of establishing a Wenzel state others a Cassie state, are employed to interface with living structures, either to promote or discourage a particular biological response/interaction. Since a gaseous state is traditionally required to establish a Cassie or Wenzel state, and gases do not remain long in living tissue, described are tissue/device interactions analogous to the above states with the component normally represented by a gas replaced by a bodily constituent, wherein separation of tissue constituents develops and a desired interaction state evolves.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and particularly to a three-dimensional biomimetic tissue scaffold that exploits the use of three-dimensional print technology. Surface energy is controlled by precisely placing polymers with differing surface chemistry, and using surface texture and bulk composition to pattern absorbable and non-absorbable polymers for the purpose of promoting functional healing in a mammalian body.

Abstract: A glove with an enhanced gripping textured surface is disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments, the glove contains a palm region adapted to cover the palm of a person's hand, a thumb region extending outwardly from the palm region, an index finger region disposed adjacent the thumb region, a middle finger region adjacent the index finger region, a ring finger region adjacent the middle finger region, and a little finger region adjacent the ring finger region with each region containing a textured surface. In preferred embodiments, the textured surface is formed by a plurality of dimensionally hierarchical structures superimposed in layers. The textured surface of the invention, when in contact with wet tissue, repels water at a first texture layer and traps tissue at a second texture layer, such that when in tissue contact, especially exudative tissue, tissue fixatively localizes to the glove surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrogels polymerized with or around a solid biofunctional moiety, biodegradable or permanent, designed to be implantable in a mammalian body, intended to block or mitigate the formation of tissue adhesions, and intended to aid in functional healing. The hydrogels of the present invention are characterized by comprising multiphasic structural elements: a) at least one gel phase, b) at least one solid phase, c) optional polymeric chains connecting gel and solid phases, d) optional shape designs that provide for an interpenetrating geometry between gels and solids, e) optional shape designs that enhance a tissue-hydrogel interface, and f) optional shape designs that provide a biofunctional aspect. The hydrophobicity of the various phases is chosen to reduce tissue adhesion and enhance tissue healing. The morphology of the polymers comprising the gel phase is typically of high molecular weight and has morphology that encourages entanglement.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrogels polymerized with a free radical scavenger, for example a spin trap. The hydrogels are biodegradable and permanent, designed to be implantable in a mammalian body and intended to block or mitigate the formation of tissue adhesions. The hydrogels of the present invention are characterized by comprising four structural elements: a) a polymeric backbone which defines the overall polymeric morphology, b) linkage groups, c) side chains, and d) spin trap end groups. The hydrophobicity of the various structural elements are chosen to reduce tissue adhesion and enhance the free radical scavenging aspect of the end groups. The morphology of these polymers are typically of high molecular weight and have shape to encourage entanglement. Useful structures include branching chains, comb or brush, and dendritic morphologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to textile articles and clothing such as outdoor garments, indoor garments, and commercial protective wear exposed to contact mixtures of water and oil, swimwear and winter wear exposed to mixtures of water and air. At least part of these textile articles possess a surface provided with at least one of 1) a high surface area, 2) hierarchical pattern, 3) contact angles such that hydrophilic portion of a contact mixture possesses a high contact angle and the hydrophobic portion of a contact mixture possesses a low contact angle, and 4) hysteresis angle greater than 5 degrees. Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic contact mixtures of the present invention can be surfaces where water and or ice are present in combination with oil and or air. The textile articles of the present invention resist slippage on surfaces possessing hydrophobic/hydrophilic contact mixtures.

Abstract: Retraction of one or more three-dimensional or planar amorphous objects is provided to gain access for a procedure where the retracted elements are easily damaged by application of normal forces. For example, a surgical instrument to provide access to an organ or tissue plane. Microtextured surfaces are provided that provide immobilization of amorphous objects, the immobilization of which is characterized by low normal forces and high shear or in plane forces. The retraction device is comprised of microstructured surfaces on one or more arms. Preferably these arms are soft and flexible to minimize damage to retracted objects. In some instances, these arms resemble and are used as a nonslip tape. Alternatively, parts or whole arms of the retraction device are rigid to provide a supportive aspect. These arms may be configured around a handle.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrogels polymerized with a biofunctional moiety, biodegradable and permanent, designed to be implantable in a mammalian body and intended to block or mitigate the formation of tissue adhesions. The hydrogels of the present invention are characterized by comprising four structural elements: a) a polymeric backbone which defines the overall polymeric morphology, b) linkage groups, c) side chains, and d) biofunctional end groups. The hydrophobicity of the various structural elements are chosen to reduce tissue adhesion and enhance the biofunctional aspect of the end groups. The morphology of these polymers are typically of high molecular weight and have shape to encourage entanglement. Useful structures include branching chains, comb or brush, and dendritic morphologies.

Abstract: A substrate having an undulating surface forming a series of rounded peaks and valleys that produce a continuously curving surface across at least a portion of the substrate. The undulating surface defines a first set of micro features. A second set of micro features molded on the first set of micro features. The substrate is a compression molded polymeric material in which the first and second sets of micro features are formed on the substrate during a single molding step, and wherein the first and second sets of micro features cooperate to increase the surface area and affect at least one of adhesion, friction, hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrogels polymerized with a biofunctional moiety, biodegradable and permanent, designed to be implantable in a mammalian body and intended to block or mitigate the formation of tissue adhesions. The hydrogels of the present invention are characterized by comprising four structural elements: a) a polymeric backbone which defines the overall polymeric morphology, b) linkage groups, c) side chains, and d) biofunctional end groups. The hydrophobicity of the various structural elements are chosen to reduce tissue adhesion and enhance the biofunctional aspect of the end groups. The morphology of these polymers are typically of high molecular weight and have shape to encourage entanglement. Useful structures include branching chains, comb or brush, and dendritic morphologies.

Abstract: Compositions and methods thereof, for preventing or minimizing skin penetration and that promote surface-layer fixation of dermatological molecules in a human body are disclosed. The molecules of the present invention and compositions containing said molecules comprise a tissue-reactive part, an amphiphilic part, a light-functional part and optionally a detachment mechanism for releasing said tissue-reactive part from said light-functional part. The methods include ways of combining the tissue-reactive part, amphiphilic part, light-functional part and optionally synthesizing a detachment mechanism therein. The parts when combined form molecular structures possessing novel photobiological persistence and efficacy.

Abstract: A composite prosthesis and method for limiting the incidence of postoperative adhesions. The composite includes a non-inflammatory or coated mesh and a barrier material which prevents exposure of tissue elsewhere in the body to tissue covered by the composite prosthesis. The barrier material is absorbable which allows tissue through-growth and localization of the composite prosthetic. In use, the composite prosthesis is positioned over the tissue defect and may be positioned with the barrier material oriented against the tissue defect or repair site.

Abstract: A molecule for stabilizing a bioactive chemical group capable of releasing nitric oxide in vivo is described. The molecule possesses multi-functionality, enabling the delivery of multiple nitric oxide precursors on a single molecule. In some embodiments, a tissue or prosthetic bonding group is attached to one of the functional arms of the molecule making the molecule of the present invention localizing to tissue or an implant.

Abstract: A molecule for stabilizing a bioactive chemical group capable of releasing nitric oxide in vivo is described. The molecule possesses multi-functionality, enabling the delivery of multiple nitric oxide precursors on a single molecule. In some embodiments, a tissue or prosthetic bonding group is attached to one of the functional arms of the molecule making the molecule of the present invention localizing to tissue or an implant.