Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of transcatheter device closure techniques for closing an opening in a tissue and more particularly, to occlusion devices for closing anatomical defects in tissue. More particularly the present invention refers to occlusion devices for closing septal abnormalities such as atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale, and to methods of closing an anatomical defect in a tissue.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a nanostructured material comprising nanoparticles bound to its surface. The nanostructured material comprises nanoparticles which are bound to the surface, wherein the nanoparticles have a maximal dimension of about 20 nm. Furthermore, the nanostructured material comprises pores having a maximal dimension of between about 2 nm to about 5 ?m. The nanoparticles bound on the surface of the nanostructured material are noble metal nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles or mixtures thereof. The present invention also refers to a method of their manufacture and the use of these materials as electrode material.

Abstract: An occlusion device for closing an anatomical defect in tissue comprising a conduit connecting an opening on a first tissue and an opening on a second tissue is provided. The occlusion device comprises a scaffold comprising a) a proximal support structure comprising at least two arms; b) a distal support structure comprising at least two arms, wherein the arms are adapted to provide anchorage for the device in the tissue; and c) a waist portion adapted for extending through the opening on the first tissue and connecting the proximal support structure with the distal support structure, wherein the scaffold consists essentially of a biodegradable polymer, wherein the proximal support structure and the distal support structure comprise or consist of polycaprolactone (PCL), poly-(D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLC), or a mixture thereof. A method of closing an anatomical defect using the occlusion device is also provided.

Abstract: A method forms a bimetallic core-shell nanostructure. The bimetallic core-shell nanostructure comprises a core comprising silver and a shell comprising gold. The bimetallic core-shell nanostructure may be used in various technical fields, such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), photovoltaic cells, biomedical, bioimaging and biosensing applications.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable tracheal stent is provided. The bioabsorbable stent comprises a biodegradable polymer, wherein the “ biodegradable polymer comprises about 0 to 30 wt % glycerol, polyethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, or mixture thereof. A drug is dispersed within or dissolved in the biodegradable polymer. In a second and third aspect, the invention relates to methods of manufacturing a bioabsorbable tracheal stent. The first method includes forming a solution comprising a biodegradable polymer and a drug, the biodegradable polymer comprising about 0 to 30 wt % glycerol, polyethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, or mixture thereof. The method further comprises casting the solution to form the bioabsorbable tracheal stent.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of prostheses for surgical applications, to methods of their manufacturing and to methods of treating a patient by implanting them into a patient. More particularly, the present invention relates to prostheses having a multi-layered sheet structure and their use in hernia repair, the repair of anatomical defects of the abdominal wall, diaphragm, and chest wall, correction of defects in the genitourinary system, and repair of traumatically damaged organs such as the spleen, liver or kidney.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a device for controlled release of a bioactive agent. The device comprises a thin film located on the surface of the device, wherein said thin film comprises a bioactive agent-containing layer comprising a polymeric matrix and at least one bioactive agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a tissue construct having a composite structure. The method includes providing a biodegradable substrate, wherein the substrate is adapted to allow deposition or growth of a plurality of cells; providing a vascularized layer comprising a plurality of blood vessels therein; and adhering the vascularized layer to the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a liposomal formulation for ocular drug delivery comprising (i) liposomes comprising at least one lipid bilayer, and (ii) a prostaglandin drug and/or a prostaglandin derivative associated in the liposomes, wherein the liposomes have a mean diameter of less than 2???. The present invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical comprising the liposomal formulation and a method of producing the liposomal formulation for ocular drug delivery. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a method of treating or preventing an ocular disease, comprising administering the liposomal formulation or the pharmaceutical composition to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable ocular implant for sustained drug delivery, comprising a first layer comprising a first biodegradable polymer, wherein the first layer contains a drug dispersed or dissolved therein. A multi-layered biodegradable ocular implant is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate to a glaucoma valve, a casing for containing a glaucoma valve and a glaucoma drainage device comprising the glaucoma valve and/or the casing. The valve includes a flow channel having an inlet and an outlet and a valve member connected to the outlet of the flow channel. The valve member may be formed from a degradable polymer or a combination of degradable polymer and non-degradable polymer. Various embodiments of the invention relate to a glaucoma valve, the valve having a first flow channel. The interior of the first flow channel may be coated with a degradable polymer, such that in use, the polymer degrades to allow a greater flow of fluid through the flow channel. In some embodiments, the valve includes a second flow channel, which may be arranged in parallel to the first flow channel. The first flow channel may be completely sealed with the polymer such that in use, the polymer degrades to allow fluid to flow through the first flow channel.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of transcatheter device closure techniques for closing an opening in a tissue and more particularly, to occlusion devices for closing anatomical defects in tissue such as defects consisting of an opening connecting a front side and a back side of a tissue. More particularly the present invention relates to occlusion devices for closing septal abnormalities such as atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale, delivering systems for such occlusion devices, kits comprising the occlusion devices and the delivering systems and to methods of closing an anatomical defect in a tissue consisting of an opening connecting a front side and a back side of a tissue.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of transcatheter device closure techniques for closing an opening in a tissue and more particularly, to occlusion devices for closing anatomical defects in tissue. More particularly the present invention refers to occlusion devices for closing septal abnormalities such as atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale, and to methods of closing an anatomical defect in a tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid device comprising: an energy converting unit comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and an energy converting medium arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the energy conversion takes place between the first electrode and the second electrode; an energy charge storing unit comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrolyte medium; wherein the energy charge is stored between the first and the second electrode; the second electrode of the energy converting unit and the second electrode of the energy charge storing unit being a shared electrode electrically connecting the energy converting unit and the energy charge storing unit; and wherein the shared electrode comprises a metal and a nanostructured material. The present invention is also directed to a method of manufacturing such a hybrid device.

Abstract: An energy charge storage device, particularly from the group consisting of super capacitor, a hybrid electrochemica capacitor, a metal hydride battery and a fuel cell, comprising a first and second electrode and an electrolyte wherein the electrolyte comprises a printable polyelectrolyte e.g. polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSH). The present invention also refers to methods of obtaining such energy storage device.

Abstract: A self-contained pump is disclosed that is an integrated pump. It has a reservoir, a pumping mechanism, and at least one outlet. The pumping mechanism is for controlled compression of the reservoir to force a required volume of fluid in the reservoir through the at least one outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to prostheses having a multi-layered sheet structure comprising at least two continuous polymer film layers. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing the prostheses, as well as methods of treating a patient by implanting them into a patient. The prostheses are used in hernia repair, the repair of anatomical defects of the abdominal wall, diaphragm and chest wall, correction of defects in- the genitourinary system, and repair of traumatically damaged organs such as the spleen, liver or kidney.

Abstract: An electro-active, valveless pump having a pumping chamber with at least one chamber wall. There is at least one opening in the at least one chamber wall. An electro-active actuator is located over each of the openings for inducing fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an electrode comprised of a first layer which comprises a mesoporous nanostructured hydrophobic material; and a second layer which comprises a mesoporous nanostructured hydrophilic material arranged on the first layer. In a further aspect, the present invention refers to an electrode comprised of a single layer which comprises a mixture of a mesoporous nanostructured hydrophobic material and a mesoporous nanostructured hydrophilic material; or a single layer comprised of a porous nanostructured material wherein the porous nanostructured material comprises metallic nanostructures which are bound to the surface of the porous nanostructured material. The present invention further refers to the manufacture of these electrodes and their use in metal-air batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a nanostructured material comprising nanoparticles bound to its surface. The nanostructured material comprises nanoparticles which are bound to the surface, wherein the nanoparticles have a maximal dimension of about 20 nm. Furthermore, the nanostructured material comprises pores having a maximal dimension of between about 2 nm to about 5 ?m. The nanoparticles bound on the surface of the nanostructured material are noble metal nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles or mixtures thereof. The present invention also refers to a method of their manufacture and the use of these materials as electrode material.