Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biodegradable intravaginal rings for the delivery of therapeutic or prophylactic agent, inter alia, antiviral agents. The present disclosure further relates to biodegradable polyurethanes which will allow therapeutic/prophylactic agents to be released in a controlled manner that will not degrade when in use, but will degrade upon disposal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biodegradable intravaginal rings for the delivery of therapeutic or prophylactic agent, inter alia, antiviral agents. The present disclosure further relates to biodegradable polyurethanes which will allow therapeutic/prophylactic agents to be released in a controlled manner that will not degrade when in use, but will degrade upon disposal.

Abstract: The compositions disclosed herein include biodegradable elastomers that provide a material for. medical purposes. They may further provide a drug delivery system for the treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions. In particular, the compositions provide biodegradable elastomers composed of a pre-polymeric block, a degradable sequence and a bis-functional linker. The usefulness of the present invention is that it provides a biodegradable elastomer for use with medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and corresponding methods for its use, in the propagation of tissue. The device comprises a bioartificial composite comprised of a substrate having at least one surface capable of the reception and growth promoting retention of a cellular preparation, and a first layer of adherent cells disposed on said surface. The first layer is prepared from the cellular preparation, and the cells comprising the first layer have cytoskeletal elements aligned uniformly, so that the bioartificial composite acts as a template to accept a second layer of cells upon the first layer, said second layer comprising an organized layer oriented in the direction of said first layer, wherein said substrate has at least one surface defined by a critical surface curvature and/or topography. The device may be implanted for the promotion of tissue regrowth, or may be used to develop tissue on an ex vivo basis, for implantation or for experimentation.

Abstract: A device and method are described for the delivery of cells, tissues, enzymes and/or pharmacological agents for the treatment or prevention of diseases, disorders or deficiencies. The device is placed intravascularly and includes a chamber that houses living cells delimited by a membrane on either side that physically separates the cells from the blood stream and the central lumen of the catheter. The device can be inserted over a guidewire and permits flushing and reloading of the central lumen with viability supporting factors that sustain the cells in the outer chamber for long indwelling times without removing it from the body. In addition, the central lumen can be used to deliver therapeutic substances or withdraw blood.

Abstract: A method for isolating human neuroepithelial precursor cells from human fetal tissue by culturing the human fetal cells in fibroblast growth factor and chick embryo extract and immunodepleting from the cultured human fetal cells any cells expressing A2B5, NG2 and eNCAM is provided. In addition, methods for transplanting these cells into an animal are provided. Animals models transplanted with these human neuroepithelial precursor cells and methods for monitoring survival, proliferation, differentiation and migration of the cells in the animal model via detection of human specific markers are also provided.