Abstract: Anisotropic nanocomposite hydrogel materials are created using a process in which a hydrogel-forming material is crosslinked in the presence of nanoscale cellulose and subsequently thermally cycled under an applied tensile strain. Such materials are capable of exhibiting high mechanical and viscoelastic anisotropy, increased stiffness when subjected to large strain, and are suitable for a broad range of soft tissue replacement applications. In addition controlled release of bioactive agents properties can be designed into medical devices fabricated from such nanocomposite materials.

Abstract: Hydrogel-bacterial cellulose nano-composite materials are created using a hydrogel and never dried bacterial cellulose fibers. Such materials are suitable for a broad range of soft tissue replacement applications. In addition controlled release of bioactive agents properties can be designed into medical devices fabricated from such composite materials.

Abstract: Hydrogel-bacterial cellulose nano-composite materials are created using a hydrogel and never dried bacterial cellulose fibers. Such materials are suitable for a broad range of soft tissue replacement applications. In addition controlled release of bioactive agents properties can be designed into medical devices fabricated from such composite materials.

Abstract: Anisotropic nanocomposite hydrogel materials are created using a process in which a hydrogel-forming material is crosslinked in the presence of nanoscale cellulose and subsequently thermally cycled under an applied tensile strain. Such materials are capable of exhibiting high mechanical and viscoelastic anisotropy, increased stiffness when subjected to large strain, and are suitable for a broad range of soft tissue replacement applications. In addition controlled release of bioactive agents properties can be designed into medical devices fabricated from such nanocomposite materials.

Abstract: Hydrogel-bacterial cellulose nano-composite materials are created using a hydrogel and never dried bacterial cellulose fibers. Such materials are suitable for a broad range of soft tissue replacement applications. In addition controlled release of bioactive agents properties can be designed into medical devices fabricated from such composite materials.

Abstract: Hydrogel-bacterial cellulose nano-composite materials are created using a hydrogel and never dried bacterial cellulose fibers. Such materials are suitable for a broad range of soft tissue replacement applications. In addition controlled release of bioactive agents properties can be designed into medical devices fabricated from such composite materials.

Abstract: Hydrogel-bacterial cellulose nano-composite materials are created using a hydrogel and never dried bacterial cellulose fibers. Such materials are suitable for a broad range of soft tissue replacement applications. In addition controlled release of bioactive agents properties can be designed into medical devices fabricated from such composite materials.

Abstract: A bioprosthetic valve stent is fabricated from a hydrogel, and a bioprosthetic heart valve comprises such a stent. A method for fabricating a hydrogel bioprosthetic valve stent comprises filling a mold cavity with a solution of a hydrogel, allowing the hydrogel to solidity, removing the solidified hydrogel from the mold cavity and hydrating the hydrogel.

Abstract: Cellulose films useful as wound and bum dressings are prepared from a solution of cellulose produced by Acetobacter xylinum in a stirred tank. The materials of this invention comprise a film of microbially produced cellulose, particularly cellulose produced from the culture of Acetobacter xylinum in a stirred tank. The film is made by dissolving the cellulose in a solvent system comprising dimethylacetamide and lithium chloride, casting the resulting solution onto a flat surface and regenerating the film in a gelation bath. Humectant is incorporated into the film by solvent exchange. The film is then sterilized and packaged for long term storage. These films are strong and elastic having mechanical properties superior to plant derived cellulose membranes and similar to that of the human skin and are useful as wound dressings.

Abstract: The ability of cellulose membranes to separate solutes from solvents under reverse osmosis conditions is significantly improved by subjecting the membrane prior to use to several cycles of drying and rewetting.

Abstract: Dewaxing aids used to assist in the solvent dewaxing of waxy hydrocarbon oils are recovered from the dewaxed oil or waxy precipitate, or both, by selective permeation of the oil or wax through a perm-selective polyimide ultrafiltration membrane, under ultrafiltration conditions, leaving a retentate of dewaxing aid, or reduced oil and/or wax content, which dewaxing aid-rich retentate can be recycled to the solvent dewaxing process.