Abstract: A system and method for determining a mesh layout and manufacturing an implantable mesh. A support surface with pins is provided in a configuration that corresponds to the mesh layout. A biocompatible filament is wound around the pins to provide a macroporous mesh. The completed weave is treated with a solution to bond intersection points of filament, then sterilized and packaged to provide an implantable mesh.

Abstract: A hybrid metamaterial structure includes at least one auxetic portion and at least one non-auxetic portion connected to the auxetic portion. The at least one non-auxetic portion has a nodal honeycomb unit geometry.

Abstract: A biphasic osteotendinous repair scaffold is disclosed. The biphasic osteotendinous repair scaffold comprises a first phase comprising electrochemically aligned collagen (ELAC) threads and a calcium phosphate mineral and having a major surface. The biphasic osteotendinous repair scaffold also comprises a second phase comprising ELAC threads and having a major surface. The ELAC threads of the first phase are braided and crosslinked. The ELAC threads of the second phase are braided and crosslinked. The ELAC threads of the first and second phases form first and second interconnected macroporosities throughout the first and second phases, respectively. The calcium phosphate mineral of the first phase is distributed on the major surface of the first phase and within the interconnected macroporosity of the first phase. The second phase is adjacent to the first phase.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one of hemoglobin oxygen affinity, rate of hemoglobin deoxygenation, or the presence of hemoglobin variants in blood of a subject, the method includes determining differences of absorption spectra of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin, red blood, and/or blood obtained from the subject and comparing the determined absorption spectra differences to a control value, wherein the absorption spectra differences are indicative of hemoglobin oxygen affinity, rate of hemoglobin deoxygenation, or the presence of hemoglobin variants in the blood of the subject.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrocompacted and aligned strand is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a channel having an anode on one side and a cathode on the other side separated by a non-conductive material to form an electrode; dispensing a solution comprising one or more electrocompactable and alignable molecules, nanoparticles or microparticles with ampholytic nature into the channel to complete a circuit between the anode and the cathode; applying a DC current in the range of 1-200 volts to the electrode through the solution in the channel to form an electrocompacted and aligned strand; and transferring the aligned strand out of the electrode. The one or more electrocompactable and alignable molecules, nanoparticles or microparticles with ampholytic nature can comprise collagen molecules that have different charges at different pH values. Materials including electrochemically aligned and compacted compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tissue repair patch having an outer side and an inner side is described. The tissue repair patch includes a structural component comprising collagen and/or chorion and a regenerative component comprising amniotic tissue. Methods of tissue repair using the tissue repair patch are also described.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrocompacted and aligned strand is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a channel having an anode on one side and a cathode on the other side separated by a non-conductive material to form an electrode; dispensing a solution comprising one or more electrocompactable and alignable molecules, nanoparticles or microparticles with ampholytic nature into the channel to complete a circuit between the anode and the cathode; applying a DC current in the range of 1-200 volts to the electrode through the solution in the channel to form an electrocompacted and aligned strand; and transferring the aligned strand out of the electrode. The one or more electrocompactable and alignable molecules, nanoparticles or microparticles with ampholytic nature can comprise collagen molecules that have different charges at different pH values. Materials including electrochemically aligned and compacted compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices suitable for the production of electrochemically aligned materials such as strands, threads or fibers. The device includes a substantially horizontally aligned electrochemical cell in one embodiment, with the arrangement producing highly compacted materials. Materials including electrochemically aligned and compacted compounds are also disclosed, along with methods for making and using the materials.

Abstract: Electrochemically aligned and compacted molecules, nanoparticles and microparticles with ampholytic nature, such as collagen, elastin, keratin and charged nanoparticle materials, methods of making and using the materials and associated production-related devices. In one embodiment, a device for producing continuous electrochemically aligned strands, threads or fibers is disclosed. In a further embodiment, fabrication of compositionally and geometrically complex anatomical forms by 3D-electrochemical compaction of biomolecules is disclosed. In yet another embodiment, methods for fabricating patterned lattice structures, in particular having controlled pore size and morphology, and the lattice structures themselves are also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging system that includes a digital micromirror device (DMD) and a tunable filter, wherein the imagining system applicable for Raman imaging, can fluorescent imaging, phosphorescent imaging, photoluminescent imaging, all of which require excitation of a specimen at a particular wavelength and analyzing the reflected light from the specimen at a wavelength that is different from the excitation wavelength, so called inelastic light scattering—ILS. A reconfigurable DMD-based inverse, spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) system is also described. Beneficially, the DMD system in the excitation path provides a uniform intensity over the sample field of view. It is also configured to prevent sample damage. Placement of a second DMD in the return path of light enables selective rejection of light in space to obtain a reconfigurable inverse SORS system that enables collection of information from different layer depths of the sample using a single detector.

Abstract: A biologic material is disclosed. The biologic material comprises a crosslinked structural protein and macrophages seeded on the crosslinked structural protein. A method of use of the biologic material for an immunoregenerative treatment in a patient in need thereof also is disclosed. The method comprises steps of: (1) seeding the macrophages on the crosslinked structural protein, thereby obtaining the biologic material; and (2) implanting the biologic material into the patient.

Abstract: Devices suitable for the production of electrochemically aligned materials such as strands, threads or fibers. The device includes a substantially horizontally aligned electrochemical cell in one embodiment, with the arrangement producing highly compacted materials. Materials including electrochemically aligned and compacted compounds are also disclosed, along with methods for making and using the materials.

Abstract: A hyperspectral Raman imaging system having the ability to focus on excitation laser beam over a relatively wide field of view due to the use of a lens array, in particular a microlens array. Hyperspectral selection is provided in one embodiment through the use of dual-axis controlled dielectric filtration. Methods for analyzing materials with the system are disclosed. The device or system can be used in generally any application where investigation of materials is required.

Abstract: Methods for determining whether certain compounds, in particular crystals, are present in a sample of a biological fluid that indicates an individual has a particular disease or condition, such as but not limited to gout, pseudogout or urinary tract stones. In some embodiments, the methods include the steps of digestion and filtration of a sample of synovial fluid in order to isolate, if present, monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), or calcium phosphate crystals from the sample, wherein the filtrate is analyzed with a Raman device to ascertain the presence and type of the crystals. Devices for performing steps of the method are disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging system that includes a digital micromirror device (DMD) and a tunable filter, wherein the imagining system applicable for Raman imaging, can fluorescent imaging, phosphorescent imaging, photoluminescent imaging, all of which require excitation of a specimen at a particular wavelength and analyzing the reflected light from the specimen at a wavelength that is different from the excitation wavelength, so called inelastic light scattering—ILS. A reconfigurable DMD-based inverse, spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) system is also described. Beneficially, the DMD system in the excitation path provides a uniform intensity over the sample field of view. It is also configured to prevent sample damage. Placement of a second DMD in the return path of light enables selective rejection of light in space to obtain a reconfigurable inverse SORS system that enables collection of information from different layer depths of the sample using a single detector.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of medical device implants. In particular, the invention is related to sutures and antibacterial coatings that comprise collagen. In particular, some of the collagen-based coatings prevent and control of bacterial infections that result from the use of medical device implants (e.g., head and neck implants). One method of preventing post-medical device implant bacterial infections comprises using a medical device coated with a biologic antimicrobial coating. For example, one such coating comprises a covalently crosslinked heparin-collagen sheet.

Abstract: Methods for determining whether certain compounds, in particular crystals, are present in a sample of a biological fluid that indicates an individual has a particular disease or condition, such as but not limited to gout, pseudogout or urinary tract stones. In some embodiments, the methods include the steps of digestion and filtration of a sample of synovial fluid in order to isolate, if present, monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), or calcium phosphate crystals from the sample, wherein the filtrate is analyzed with a Raman device to ascertain the presence and type of the crystals. Devices for performing steps of the method are disclosed.

Abstract: Electrochemically aligned and compacted molecules, nanoparticles and microparticles with ampholytic nature, such as collagen, elastin, keratin and charged nanoparticle materials, methods of making and using the materials and associated production-related devices. In one embodiment, a device for producing continuous electrochemically aligned strands, threads or fibers is disclosed. In a further embodiment, fabrication of compositionally and geometrically complex anatomical forms by 3D-electrochemical compaction of biomolecules is disclosed. In yet another embodiment, methods for fabricating patterned lattice structures, in particular having controlled pore size and morphology, and the lattice structures themselves are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hyperspectral Raman imaging system having the ability to focus on excitation laser beam over a relatively wide field of view due to the use of a lens array, in particular a microlens array. Hyperspectral selection is provided in one embodiment through the use of dual-axis controlled dielectric filtration. Methods for analyzing materials with the system are disclosed. The device or system can be used in generally any application where investigation of materials is required.

Abstract: Methods for determining whether certain compounds, in particular crystals, are present in a sample of a biological fluid that indicates an individual has a particular disease or condition, such as but not limited to gout, pseudogout or urinary tract stones. In some embodiments, the methods include the steps of digestion and filtration of a sample of synovial fluid in order to isolate, if present, monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), or calcium phosphate crystals from the sample, wherein the filtrate is analyzed with a Raman device to ascertain the presence and type of the crystals. Devices for performing steps of the method are disclosed.