Abstract: Provided are methods for producing mesoporous nanoparticles that can, once loaded, retain small or large molecules (e.g., molecules having a molecular weight that is less or greater than about 900 Da) until release is desired, upon which time the mesoporous nanoparticles can release the loaded molecule in a controlled manner for a desired period of time, including an extended period of time. Also disclosed are methods for treating a subject comprising administering to the subject a mesoporous nanoparticle according to the present disclosure.

Abstract: Biocompatible, biodegradable copolymer-xerogel nanocomposites contain a biodegradable, biocompatible copolymer, silica nanoparticles and one or more therapeutic agents, that are useful for wound dressings, medical devices and drug delivery applications.

Abstract: Provided are methods for producing mesoporous nanoparticles that can, once loaded, retain small or large molecules (e.g., molecules having a molecular weight that is less or greater than about 900 Da) until release is desired, upon which time the mesoporous nanoparticles can release the loaded molecule in a controlled manner for a desired period of time, including an extended period of time. Also disclosed are methods for treating a subject comprising administering to the subject a mesoporous nanoparticle according to the present disclosure.

Abstract: Xerogel films on substrates are provided containing pharmaceutically active compounds. Articles incorporating such films are robust, release active compounds at predictable rates and may provide such release for relatively long periods of time. Orthopedic and trauma uses are indicated along with generalized use in contact with body fluids or as biological implants. Methods for fabrication of such films and devices are provided.

Abstract: Provided are biocompatible viscoelastic solid materials derived from polymerization of fluid water-in-oil emulsions, along with methods of their preparation and methods for their use for tissue engineering applications, including for reforming diseased, damaged or degenerated intervertebral discs by acceptably non-invasive means.

Abstract: Provided are biocompatible viscoelastic solid materials derived from polymerization of fluid water-in-oil emulsions, along with methods of their preparation and methods for their use for tissue engineering applications, including for reforming diseased, damaged or degenerated intervertebral discs by acceptably non-invasive means.

Abstract: Biocompatible composites of flexible polymers/copolymers films and dispersed solid silica-based ceramic microparticles are provided. The composites uniquely combine material and drug delivery properties that are essential for wound dressings and drug delivery applications. The flexible copolymer films are preferably tyrosine-based polycarbonates, and the ceramic microparticles are biodegradable silica-based glass particles that are preferably processed by a sol-gel methodology. The copolymers and the ceramic microparticles independently can contain therapeutic agents, are independently capable of binding these agents, and can independently release such agents. It is sufficient that either the polymer or the ceramic contains therapeutic agents, although both may contain them.

Abstract: Provided are biocompatible viscoelastic solid materials derived from polymerization of fluid water-in-oil emulsions, along with methods of their preparation and methods for their use for tissue engineering applications, including for reforming diseased, damaged or degenerated intervertebral discs by acceptably non-invasive means.

Abstract: Silica-based xerogel microspheres are provided containing pharmaceutically active compounds. These microspheres are robust, release active compounds at predictable rates and may provide such release for relatively long periods of time. Pharmaceutical compositions, methods for delivering medicaments and methods for treatment of disease states or conditions, inter alia, infection or pain, as well as methods for fabrication of such microspheres, are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are biocompatible viscoelastic solid materials derived from polymerization of fluid water-in-oil emulsions, along with methods of their preparation and methods for their use for tissue engineering applications, including for reforming diseased, damaged or degenerated intervertebral discs by acceptably non-invasive means.

Abstract: Provided are biocompatible viscoelastic solid materials derived from polymerization of fluid water-in-oil emulsions, along with methods of their preparation and methods for their use for tissue engineering applications, including for reforming diseased, damaged or degenerated intervertebral discs by acceptably non-invasive means.

Abstract: Flexible, bioactive glass meshes and scaffolds made therefrom are provided. The meshes comprise interwoven bioactive glass fibers that can be coated with resorbable polymers. Meshes can also be woven from glass fibers and resorbable polymers. Scaffolds can be constructed by a plurality of meshes, which can have varying porosities to create porosity gradients in the scaffold. Methods of making scaffolds are provided which can comprise pulling bioactive glass fibers, winding the fibers, forming the fibers into bundles, coating the fibers with a resorbable polymer, and creating a biaxial weave with the bundles. Soft tissue engineering methods are also provided for creating scaffolds for incubating cells such as fibroblasts and chondroblasts. Meshes and scaffolds are suitable for tissue engineering, such as bone tissue engineering and cartilage tissue engineering.

Abstract: Provided are biocompatible viscoelastic solid materials derived from polymerization of fluid water-in-oil emulsions, along with methods of their preparation and methods for their use for tissue engineering applications, including for reforming diseased, damaged or degenerated intervertebral discs by acceptably non-invasive means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel compositions and methods for the treatment of degenerative intervertebral disc disease. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a preparation of nucleus pulposus cells comprising purified nucleus pulposus cells. In some embodiments, the invention relates to methods of treating degenerative intervertebral disc disease in an individual comprising implanting nucleus pulposus cells into the nucleus pulposus space of a degenerated disc of the individual. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods of generating nucleus pulposus cells.

Abstract: Methods and materials are provided for reforming degenerated intervertebral discs of the spine of a vertebrate and in particular the spine of a human. Tissue is evacuated from the nucleus pulposus portion of a degenerated intervertebral disc space, and a biodegradable substrate containing isolated intervertebral disc cells is implanted in the evacuated space for reformation of intervertebral disc tissue. Intervertebral disc cells are provided by digesting intervertebral disc tissue with collagenase and incubating the cells in a medium supplemented with hyaluronidase. The substrate may be bioactive so as to enhance cell function. Substrates include bioactive glass granules, polymer foams and the polymer foams coated with a bioactive gel material produced by a sol-gel process. A polymer foam is dipped into a sol resulting from combining a metal alkoxide precursor with water and acid, residual sol is evacuated from pores of the foam, and remaining sol contained by the foam is allowed to gel.

Abstract: Conditioning of the surface of silica-based glass or ceramic by differential immersion in a serum protein-containing solution, and the resultant microporous Ca-P surface layer having serum-protein like organic molecules, as defined herein intermingled throughout, is described.

Abstract: Hollow particles having a shell substantially composed of calcium-phosphate, methods for preparing the same, and methods of use are disclosed. The particles are obtained by differential immersion of silica-based, calcium and phosphate containing glass particles.

Abstract: Hollow particles having a shell substantially composed of calcium-phosphate, methods for preparing the same, and methods of use are disclosed. The particles are obtained by differential immersion of silica-based, calcium and phosphate containing glass particles.

Abstract: Non-crystalline, porous bioactive glass and ceramic materials are prepared that permit in vitro formation of bone tissue when exposed to a tissue culture medium and inoculated with cells. The bioactive glass and ceramic materials are treated such that when used in contact with anchorage-dependent cells, there is enhanced cell attachment and cell function to provide expeditious tissue growth in vitro or in vivo. Treatment involves immersing the glass or ceramic material in an aqueous solution containing ions in a concentration typical of interstitial fluid followed by immersion in an aqueous solution containing at least one cell adhesion molecule. Immersion may also be in an additional aqueous solution containing an additional cell adhesion molecule before or after immersing in the solution containing ions. The glass material is preferably formed from SiO2, CaO, Na2O and P2O5.

Abstract: Bioactive, degradable composite material and composite material microspheres were produced using a new solid-in-oil-in-water method. Compositions and methods for tissue engineering and drug delivery are provided.