Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wound dressing having a wound-contacting surface comprising a KAP-enriched keratin material in the form of a hydrogel or a coating on a substrate wherein said KAP content facilitates accelerated wound healing of chronic wounds that exhibit excessive or persistence proteolytic enzyme activity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydrogel wound dressing having a wound-contact side and a non-wound-contact side wherein the rate of moisture evaporation from said non-wound contact side is faster than the rate of moisture evaporation from said wound contact side, thereby causing said dressing to curl toward said non-wound contact side upon drying. Optionally, the hydrogel wound dressing can be comprised of two materials having different rates of moisture evaporation bonded together to form a bilayer structure.

Abstract: A hydrogel that comprises denatured human hair biomolecules intermolecularly crosslinked with disulfide bonds to form a hydrogel. The hydrogel may be prepared by reduction and denaturation of hair to provide keratins and other hair biomolecules that are crosslinked by the disulfide bonds to provide a firm, flexible, and useful biomaterial.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hair graft comprising (a) tissue engineered skin comprising a tissue engineered epidermal layer, a tissue engineered dermal layer, and hair follicle progenitor cells and (b) a scaffold. The invention also provides methods of making and using the hair grafts of the present invention.

Abstract: A hydrogel that comprises denatured human hair biomolecules intermolecularly crosslinked with disulfide bonds to form a hydrogel. The hydrogel may be prepared by reduction and denaturation of hair to provide keratins and other hair biomolecules that are crosslinked by the disulfide bonds to provide a firm, flexible, and useful biomaterial.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hair graft comprising (a) tissue engineered skin comprising a tissue engineered epidermal layer, a tissue engineered dermal layer, and hair follicle progenitor cells and (b) a scaffold. The invention also provides methods of making and using the hair grafts of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved scaffold which is constructed to mimic the architecture of the native hair follicle. The present invention also relates to the use of specific compositions and methods of manufacture to produce scaffolds that combine biocompatibility with the desired rates of bioabsorption. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a biomimetic hair follicle graft and a method for seeding the graft with cells and implanting the graft into the skin where the growth of a new hair shaft is desired. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for hair multiplication in which cells are multiplied in culture and aliquoted into a multitude of bioabsorbable scaffolds in combination with cultured keratinocytes or other allogenic cells.

Abstract: Porous, bioabsorbable scaffolds for tissue engineering of human hair follicles, methods for their manufacture and methods of their use in creating new hair.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filamentary structure for the introduction of agents into a living host, comprising a filament comprising a solid core and a porous sheath which coats at least a portion of the solid core. When the filamentary structure is to be permanently implanted into a living host, both the solid core and the porous sheath are bioabsorbable. When the filamentary structure is to be temporarily implanted into the skin of a living host to deliver agents, such as cells, therein, the porous sheath is preferably bioabsorbable but the core need only be biocompatable, not bioabsorabable. The devices and methods of the present invention enable one to regenerate hair follicles, to introduce genetically altered cells or encapsulated cells to a living host transdermally, to regenerate bones, and to deliver drugs transdermally.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for use in the treatment of male pattern baldness and other conditions involving hair loss by facilitating the growth of new hair in the dermis of a living subject. The method involves the steps of atraumatically injecting follicle progenitor cells into the interface between the dermis and the epidermis and allowing the cells to grow into new hair follicles.

Abstract: Porous, bioabsorbable scaffolds for tissue engineering of human hair follicles, methods for their manufacture and methods of their use in creating new hair.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioabsorbable fibers, comprising a semicrystalline fiber-forming core polymer and a amorphous sheath polymer, wherein the core polymer and sheath polymer are separately melt extruded and connected to one another through an adhesive bond. The present invention also relates to reinforced composites of the bioabsorbable fibers, and to devices comprising the reinforced composites. The devices are suitable for in vivo implantation. Some embodiments of the present devices can also support high loads, making them useful for fracture fixation and spinal fusion. The invention also relates to methods of making the various materials of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioabsorbable fibers, comprising a semicrystalline fiber-forming core polymer and an amorphous sheath polymer, wherein the core polymer and sheath polymer are separately melt extruded and connected to one another through an adhesive bond. The present invention also relates to reinforced composites of the bioabsorbable fibers, and to devices comprising the reinforced composites. The devices are suitable for in vivo implantation. Some embodiments of the present devices can also support high loads, making then useful for fracture fixation and spinal fusion. The invention also relates to methods of making the various materials of the invention.

Abstract: A process for forming biocompatible porous matrices of bioabsorbable materials comprising:a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer;b) dissolving the bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution;c) solidifying the molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, the first phase being the bioabsorbable polymer and the second phase being the volumetric orientation aid; andd) removing the volumetric orientation aid while the solution is solid; to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer. Also matrices formed by the process and devices made with such matrices.

Abstract: This invention is related to an adhesive composition which may be used to bond or seal tissue in vivo. The adhesive composition is readily formed from a two component mixture which includes a first part of a protein, preferably a serum albumin protein, in an aqueous buffer having a pH in the range of about 8.0-11.0 and a second part of a water-compatible or water-soluble bifunctional crosslinking agent. When the two parts of the mixture are combined, the mixture is initially a liquid which cures in vivo on the surface of tissue in less than about one minute to give a strong, flexible, pliant substantive composition which bonds to the tissue and is absorbed in about four to sixty days. The adhesive composition may be used either to bond tissue, to seal tissue or to prevent tissue adhesions caused by surgery.

Abstract: A process for forming biocompatible porous matrices of bioabsorbable materials comprising:a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer;b) dissolving the bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution;c) solidifying the molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, the first phase being the bioabsorbable polymer and the second phase being the volumetric orientation aid; andd) removing the volumetric orientation aid while the solution is solid; to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer. Also matrices formed by the process and devices made with such matrices.

Abstract: Process for treating poly(esteramides) to improve the heat and storage stability thereof. Polymer is optionally suspended in a liquid medium, treated with an amide group-containing solvent, and then separated from the solvent and liquid medium (if any). Also, poly(esteramides) treated in this process and devices and articles comprising such poly(esteramides).

Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use in bone fracture fixation comprises a bone plate, a bone plate spacer comprising a blend or mixture of a nonabsorbable polymer and a bioabsorbable polymer, and a means for fastening both the bone plate and the bone plate spacer to the bone.

Abstract: This invention is related to an adhesive composition which may be used to bond or seal tissue in vivo. The adhesive composition is readily formed from a two component mixture which includes a first part of a protein, preferably a serum albumin protein, in an aqueous buffer having a pH in the range of about 8.0-11.0 and a second part of a water-compatible or water-soluble bifunctional crosslinking agent. When the two parts of the mixture are combined, the mixture is initially a liquid which cures in vivo on the surface of tissue in less than about one minute to give a strong, flexible, pliant substantive composition which bonds to the tissue and is absorbed in about four to sixty days. The adhesive composition may be used either to bond tissue, to seal tissue or to prevent tissue adhesions caused by surgery.

Abstract: This invention is related to an adhesive composition which may be used to bond or seal tissue in vivo. The adhesive composition is readily formed from a two component mixture which includes a first part of a protein, preferably a serum albumin protein, in an aqueous buffer having a pH in the range of about 8.0-11.0 and a second part of a water-compatible or water-soluble bifunctional crosslinking agent. When the two parts of the mixture are combined, the mixture is initially a liquid which cures in vivo on the surface of tissue in less than about one minute to give a strong, flexible, pliant substantive composition which bonds to the tissue and is absorbed in about four to sixty days. The adhesive composition may be used either to bond tissue, to seal tissue or to prevent tissue adhesions caused by surgery.