Abstract: Methods of forming cross-linked polysaccharides are disclosed in which one or more polysaccharides are dissolved in solution, gelled, modified to have a desired concentration, and subsequently irradiated. The irradiation of the gel crosslinks the polysaccharide(s) present. The disclosed techniques may be applied to various polysaccharides, including but not limited to agarose and/or hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Methods of forming cross-linked polysaccharides are disclosed in which one or more polysaccharides are dissolved in solution, gelled, modified to have a desired concentration, and subsequently irradiated. The irradiation of the gel crosslinks the polysaccharide(s) present. The disclosed techniques may be applied to various polysaccharides, including but not limited to agarose and/or hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Irradiated agarose gels and compositions containing irradiated agarose gels are described, along with methods of production and use. Methods of forming an irradiated agarose composition include irradiating an agarose in dry form to produce an irradiated agarose, dissolving the irradiated agarose in a solvent to form a solution containing irradiated agarose, and gelling the solution containing irradiated agarose to form a gel containing irradiated agarose. The resulting gel containing irradiated agarose may have a reduced gel strength, making it more suitable for use as an injectable, even at high concentrations.

Abstract: Methods of forming cross-linked polysaccharides are disclosed in which one or more polysaccharides are dissolved in solution, gelled, modified to have a desired concentration, and subsequently irradiated. The irradiation of the gel crosslinks the polysaccharide(s) present. The disclosed techniques may be applied to various polysaccharides, including but not limited to agarose and/or hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Dermal filling materials and techniques are disclosed herein. In particular, dermal fillers containing low melt agarose (i.e., agarose having a melting temperature of less than 65° C.) are described. The disclosed dermal fillers can be manipulated after injection by, for example, heating and/or cooling the dermal filler while inside the patient to adjust its positioning or stiffness.

Abstract: Methods of forming cross-linked polysaccharides are disclosed in which one or more polysaccharides are dissolved in solution, gelled, modified to have a desired concentration, and subsequently irradiated. The irradiation of the gel crosslinks the polysaccharide(s) present. The disclosed techniques may be applied to various polysaccharides, including but not limited to agarose and/or hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for forming high concentration hydrogels are disclosed herein. The presently disclosed high concentration hydrogels are formed using controlled dehydration and optional rehydration techniques, depending on desired use. The disclosed high concentration hydrogels may include agarose with or without other hydrogels or therapeutic agents, such as hyaluronic acid, present.

Abstract: Hydrogel fracturing devices are described herein that include a chamber with an inlet, outlet, and at least one fracturing structure which extends across the entire internal diameter of the chamber. The fracturing structure includes one or more apertures or screens. The fracturing device may be connected to a syringe and/or ampoule containing a hydrogel formulation. The hydrogel formulation may then be fractured by forcing the formulation through the fracturing device.

Abstract: Methods of forming cross-linked polysaccharides are disclosed in which one or more polysaccharides are dissolved in solution, gelled, modified to have a desired concentration, and subsequently irradiated. The irradiation of the gel crosslinks the polysaccharide(s) present. The disclosed techniques may be applied to various polysaccharides, including but not limited to agarose and/or hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Agaroid structures in the form of an agaroid matrix, a sintered agaroid, or an agaroid mat are disclosed which may, in some embodiments, include a chemically crosslinked agaroid, a derivatized agaroid, and/or an agaroid coupled with one or more ligands. The agaroid structures may be formed by precipitation from a glycol solution, in some cases, and may be converted to be insoluble in water below 40C. In another aspect, methods of treating a condition of a mammal are disclosed, which include contacting an area of a mammalian body with a composition having an agaroid structure with or without one or more beneficial agents. In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of filling or bulking tissue in a mammalian body by implanting a converted agaroid composition into the mammalian body, which may include converted agaroid microbeads and/or converted agaroid particles.

Abstract: Irradiated agarose gels and compositions containing irradiated agarose gels are described, along with methods of production and use. Methods of forming an irradiated agarose composition include irradiating an agarose in dry form to produce an irradiated agarose, dissolving the irradiated agarose in a solvent to form a solution containing irradiated agarose, and gelling the solution containing irradiated agarose to form a gel containing irradiated agarose. The resulting gel containing irradiated agarose may have a reduced gel strength, making it more suitable for use as an injectable, even at high concentrations.

Abstract: Provided herein are therapeutic and cosmetic methods that utilize an in situ gelling agaroid composition in the form of a water reactive agaroid. The composition described herein is applicable in the fields of wound healing, tissue bulking, bone grafting, and drug delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a an economical blood pressure cuff shield that acts as an hygienic barrier between patients and blood pressure cuffs during blood pressure measurement. The shield includes antimicrobial properties, which eradicate microorganisms on contact, protecting the shield from communicated pathogens and preventing the blood pressure cuff from colonization of the common health-care associated microbes. With the antimicrobial properties, the shield can be used for multiple patients over a 24 hour period. After the indicated period of use, the blood pressure cuff shield is removed and discarded. The biodegradable and cost effective construction allows the health care field to stride towards eco-friendly solutions to improve sanitation and sterility of facilities.

Abstract: An electrophoresis gel tray having bottom electrical field access and a method of running a gel are disclosed. The tray includes a gel base having an electrical field ingress port and an electrical field egress port disposed proximate opposite ends of the gel base. In use, the tray is placed on a support in an electrophoresis running tank. The running tank is filled with a buffer solution to a level that is at least even with the gel base. With the tray and buffer solution in place, electrical current is applied to the buffer solution. The field enters the tray through the electrical field ingress port, flows through the gel and exits the gel through the electrical field egress port, thereby effecting electrophoretic separation of one or more samples placed in the wells of the gel.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement is disclosed for protecting an electrophoresis gel from damage during shipment and storage. The package arrangement includes first and second sheets that are sealed about their respective edges to form an enclosed cavity. The cavity is at least partially evacuated of air. An electrophoresis gel is located within the cavity. A support sheet may be disposed between the electrophoresis gel and the package to facilitate removal of the gel and to further stiffen the package. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of electrophoresis gels are disposed within the cavity. Each gel is preferably separated from adjacent gels by a spacer. In another embodiment of the invention, the gel is disposed within a tray which, in turn, is located within the cavity.

Abstract: A gel running plate for use in an electrophoresis process to cover an electrophoresis gel positioned within a tray. The gel running plate adapted to effect flow of electrical current into and out of the tray. The gel running plate having a length less than a length of the tray such that a gap exists between the tray and the plate when the plate is positioned on the tray. The gel running plate also having a width at least as wide as the width of the tray such that the plate rests upon the tray when the plate is positioned on the tray.

Abstract: Purified agarose suitable for rapid electrophoresis, characterized by a sulfate content of less than 0.2 wt % but greater than zero, a pyruvate content of 0-0.1 wt %, and a nitrogen content of 0-0.02 wt %. Gels prepared from the agarose exhibit a gel strength at 1.0 wt % concentration of at least 1200 g/cm.sup.2, substantial absence of DNA binding in 0.07 M or less tris acetate buffer, and an electroendosmosis (EEO) at 1.0 wt % concentration of 0.05 or less. Agaroses are purified to provide the low EEO material by dissolving agarose or alkali-modified agar in an aqueous medium buffered at a pH of 6.0 to 8.0 and containing no more than 2.0 nM salt as chloride, and precipitating the agarose by contact with a lower alkanol.