Abstract: The present invention provides platelet production methods. The method comprises the steps of providing a cellular material and culturing the cellular material, wherein platelets are produced. The culturing may be performed on 2D or 3D cell support structure or in suspension culture. In some embodiments, all or a part of the 2D or 3D culturing may be performed in a bioreactor. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise a step of isolating a subset of cells from the starting cellular material, wherein the isolated subset of cells is then cultured, wherein platelets are produced. In yet other embodiments, the method comprises the steps of providing a cellular material, isolating a subset of cells, seeding the subset of cells into a 3D scaffold, culturing the subset of cells in a 3D scaffold, seeding the cultured subset of cells into a bioreactor, culturing the subset of cells in a bioreactor, and harvesting the cells from the bioreactor, wherein platelets are produced.

Abstract: A rolling contact layer-by-layer assembly device comprises at least one roller, a cylinder substrate and a motor to rotate the cylinder substrate. The assembly device optionally includes at least one rinsing nozzle and air applicator. The rollers each provide a polyelectrolyte solution to the surface of the cylinder substrate, the polyelectrolyte solutions having an affinity for each other. Excess polyelectrolyte solution can be washed using the rinsing nozzle followed by a drying step prior to the application of the second polyelectrolyte solution. A plurality of bilayers is produced by the continuous application of polyelectrolyte solutions to form an LBL article such as a nano-composite article or film. The film is then removed from the surface of the cylinder substrate.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making layer-by-layer assemblies that comprise axial geometry nanoparticles. Such methods include forming a first layer on a substrate that comprises an axial nanoparticle, forming a second layer on the substrate that comprises an axial nanoparticle, where the first and second layers are aligned to respective first and second orientations. The disclosure also provides for multilayer materials having a first layer including a first polyelectrolyte and a first axial geometry nanoparticle which is substantially aligned along a first orientation. The multilayer material also includes a second layer including a second polyelectrolyte and a second axial geometry nanoparticle species having axial geometry, where the second nanoparticle species is substantially aligned along a second orientation which is distinct from the first orientation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming on a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic lens, more preferably a contact lens, a diffusion-controllable coating capable of controlling the out-diffusion or release of guest materials from the medical device. The method of the invention comprises: (1) applying one layer of clay and optionally one or more layers of polyionic materials onto the medical device; or (2) applying alternatively a layer of a first polyionic material and a layer of a second polyionic material having charges opposite of the charges of the first polyionic material onto the medical device and releasing the coated medical device into a releasing medium having a composition capable of imparting a desired permeability to the diffusion-controllable coating on the medical device.

Abstract: A cell growth matrix for optimizing 3D organization nutrient delivery, controlling release of differentiation factors and facilitating attachment of cells to a scaffold Colloidal crystals and inverted colloidal crystals are used to form an ordered structure for use as a scaffold for tissue engineering. The porosity of the cell growth matrix may be modified by the selection of particles of appropriate diameter. Further, the surface of colloidal crystals can be easily modified to accommodate many organic species including biomolecules. Layer-by-layer materials are used for tissue engineering to control cell development by using sequential layering of bioactive species wherein the number and order of LBL layers deposited between layers containing a particular protein are controlled. LBL may also be used for timed release of bioactive species. Increased control differentiation factors release and control of cell attachments to the scaffold are achieved to better mimic natural tissue development.

Abstract: A method for sensing a stimulus comprising providing a sensing assembly having a first structure and a second structure, wherein the first structure is made of a material different than the second structure and each of the first structure and the second structure is nanoscale. The method further includes providing an inductive antenna operably coupled to the sensing assembly, disposing the sensing assembly upon a spatial area, exposing the sensing assembly to the stimulus thereby producing a detectable change in the sensing assembly, and wirelessly coupling a reader with the inductive antenna to obtain a signal representative of the detectable change in the sensing assembly.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to the application of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to demonstrate the multifunctionality of carbon nanocomposite thin films under various types of environmental stimuli. Carbon nanotube (CNT) thin films are fabricated by a layer-by-layer (LbL) technique or other techniques and mounted with electrodes along their boundaries. The response of the thin films to various stimuli determined by relying on electric current excitation and corresponding boundary potential measurements. The spatial conductivity variations are reconstructed based on a mathematical model for the EIT technique. Here, the ability of the EIT method to provide two-dimensional mapping of the conductivity of CNT thin films is validated by (1) electrically imaging intentional structural defects in the thin films and (2) mapping the film's response to various pH environments.

Abstract: A nanoscale sensing device from different types of nanoparticles (NPs) and nanowires (NWs) connected by molecular springs. The distance between the nanoscale colloids reversibly changes depending on conditions or analyte concentration and can be evaluated by fluorescence measurements.

Abstract: An artificial bone marrow construct comprising a substrate having at least one well; a three dimensional biocompatible polymer matrix comprising a transparent polymer network containing microspherical voids, wherein the microspherical voids are each connected to at least one other void through inter-connecting pores; at least one LBL coating on a surface of at least one of the polymer network, voids and pores, a population of bone marrow cells comprising stem cells and stromal cells; and at least one bioactive agent. An artificial immune network comprising a polymer matrix with a population of immune cells comprising B-cells and T-cells is disclosed. Methods for testing the toxicity of drugs and other agents against bone marrow cells and methods for making universal blood using the artificial bone marrow constructs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the assembly of a thin film containing highly anisotropic colloids that includes the steps of immersing a substrate in a first solution or dispersion comprising a first substance, wherein the first substance has an affinity for the substrate. Then, immersing the substrate in a second solution or dispersion comprising a second substance, wherein the second substance has an affinity for the first substance. A least one of the first substance and the second substance is a highly anisotropic colloid having at least one dimension differing from the others by a ratio of at least 1:1.5. The method incorporates highly anisotropic colloids using a layer-by-layer process that circumvents the tendency for separation of nanotubes at high nanotube loadings. Additionally, the method incorporates aligned highly anisotropic colloids and provides a method for carbon nanotube alignment, which among other advantages makes possible the preparation of unique criss-crossed composites.

Abstract: A system and method for photoacoustic tomography of a sample, such as a mammalian joint, includes a light source configured to deliver light to the sample, an ultrasonic transducer disposed adjacent to the sample for receiving photoacoustic signals generated due to optical absorption of the light by the sample, a motor operably connected to at least one of the sample and the ultrasonic transducer for varying a position of the sample and the ultrasonic transducer with respect to one another along a scanning path, and a control system in communication with the light source, the ultrasonic transducer, and the motor for reconstructing photoacoustic images of the sample from the received photoacoustic signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite material, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens, which comprises a vesicle-containing coating including at least one layer of a vesicle and one layer of a polyionic material having charges opposite the charges of the vesicle. Such composite material can find use in biomedical applications, for example, a device for localized drug delivery and an in vivo analyte sensor such as glucose sensing contact lens. By lifting off the vesicle-containing coating from a substrate, a self-standing membrane (film) capable of encapsulating a wide variety of guest materials can be prepared. In addition, the invention provides methods for making vesicle-containing composite and film materials of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite material, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens, which comprises a vesicle-containing coating including at least one layer of a vesicle and one layer of a polyionic material having charges opposite the charges of the vesicle. Such composite material can find use in biomedical applications, for example, a device for localized drug delivery and an in vivo analyte sensor such as glucose sensing contact lens. By lifting off the vesicle-containing coating from a substrate, a self-standing membrane (film) capable of encapsulating a wide variety of guest materials can be prepared. In addition, the invention provides methods for making vesicle-containing composite and film materials of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for remote control release of encapsulated substances by external forces such as ultrasound or light.

Abstract: A method for the layer-by-layer assembly of a free standing thin film includes the steps of preparing a support with a suitable substrate; forming a thin film having a plurality of layers onto the substrate utilizing a layer-by-layer assembly process; removing the substrate and thin film from the support; and separating the substrate from the thin film. Various compounds improving the strength, flexibility, tension and other mechanical properties may be included in the assembly to improve the structural quality of the film. Similar effect may also be achieved by cross-linking the applied layers.

Abstract: The presently claimed and disclosed invention relates, in general, to three dimensional micro-environments and, in particular, to three dimensional (“3D”) micro-environments found in inverted-opal scaffolds made from hydrogel therein for controlled release of nutrients. Specifically, the scaffolds have exceptionally ordered, three-dimensional organization that provides excellent porosity, permeability, and transportation properties can that are especially well suited for use as a nutrient carrier in the emerging technologies of drug delivery and cell culture. Methods for incorporation of or to control the release of nutrients and other substances from such scaffold materials are also herein disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method for the layer-by-layer assembly of a free standing thin film includes the steps of preparing a support with a suitable substrate; forming a thin film having a plurality of layers onto the substrate utilizing a layer-by-layer assembly process; removing the substrate and thin film from the support; and separating the substrate from the thin film. Various compounds improving the strength, flexibility, tension and other mechanical properties may be included in the assembly to improve the structural quality of the film. Similar effect may also be achieved by cross-linking the applied layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming on a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic lens, more preferably a contact lens, a diffusion-controllable coating capable of controlling the out-diffusion or release of guest materials from the medical device. The method of the invention comprises: (1) applying one layer of clay and optionally one or more layers of polyionic materials onto the medical device; or (2) applying alternatively a layer of a first polyionic material and a layer of a second polyionic material having charges opposite of the charges of the first polyionic material onto the medical device and releasing the coated medical device into a releasing medium having a composition capable of imparting a desired permeability to the diffusion-controllable coating on the medical device.

Abstract: A bioconjugate including a nanoparticle covalently linked to a biological vector molecule. The nanoparticle is a generally radioactive metal ion and most typically a metal sulfide or metal oxide. The biological vector molecule is typically a monoclonal antibody or fragment of a monoclonal antibody or a peptide having a known affinity to cancer cells. One or more additional, different biological moieties may be covalently linked to the nanoparticle in addition to the biological vector molecule to enhance its activity. The bioconjugate of the present invention has utility as an effective radiopharmaceutical to deliver a radiolabel in tumor treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device, preferably a contact lens, which a core material and an antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating that is not covalently attached to the medical device and can impart to the medical device an increased hydrophilicity. The antimicrobial metal-containing coating on a contact lens of the invention has a high antimicrobial efficacy against microorganisms including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial and a low toxicity, while maintaining the desired bulk properties such as oxygen permeability and ion permeability of lens material. Such lenses are useful as extended-wear contact lenses. In addition, the invention provides a method for making a medical device, preferably a contact lens, having an antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating thereon.