Abstract: Technology is provided for the production of collagen-based composite grafts with robust mechanical properties exceeding that of typical collagen hydrogels or foams. Collagen is a biodegradable and biocompatible hydrogel, but its clinical application is limited by poor mechanical properties that hinders its manipulation during surgeries and its post-surgical stability. The new collagen composite construct has robust mechanical properties for easy surgical handling such as rolling, suturing and passing a small surgical port during arthroscopic procedure, while maintaining unique biological characteristics of collagen matrix. Cells from various sources, bone marrow aspirate concentrates, growth factors, nanoparticles/microparticles (NPs/MPs), and supportive polymer meshes can be incorporated into the membranes for drug delivery and tissue regenerative therapies.

Abstract: Tissue engineering constructs and the method of making the constructs are provided. The constructs distinguish a scaffold with a surface and a treated surface area for increased surface area. A hydrophilic hydrogel network is physically cross-linked via charged polymers and salt-ions onto the treated surface area. Biologies is trapped and thereby hosted within the physically cross-linked hydrogel network. Covalently reactive macromonomers are chemically cross-linked within the physically cross-linked hydrophilic hydrogel network to strengthen the physically cross-linked hydrophilic hydrogel network itself and to the scaffold. The constructs enable delivery of therapeutics including cells and/or biomolecules along with a structural support and a defined geometry for applications in regenerative medicine.

Abstract: A bioactive orthopedic implant is provided defined as a rod with a surface and a treated surface area for increased surface area, a freeze-dried hydrophilic hydrogel network physically cross-linked via charged polymers and salt-ions onto the treated surface area, biologies trapped and thereby hosted within the hydrogel network, and covalently reactive macromonomers chemically cross-linked within the hydrogel network to strengthen the hydrogel network itself and to the rod. The surface area of the bioactive orthopedic implant can be coated with covalently linkable molecules which are chemical cross-linked with the covalently reactive macromonomers to increase adhesion of the chemically and physically cross-linked hydrophilic hydrogel network to the rod. The rod can be an interconnected porous rod and where the biologies is hosted with pores of the interconnected porous rod. The bioactive orthopedic implant can be sized for implantation in between two bone segments, a bone tunnel, or a fracture.

Abstract: A stable injectable collagen-based hydrogel delivery platform and method is provided to obtain the viscosity, post-injection stability and mechanical properties needed of an injectable collagen matrix via incorporating alginate and calcium sulfate (CaSO4) into the matrix. The hydrogel (Alg/Col hydrogel) is shear-thinning, injectable through commercially available needles and stable right after injection.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the generation or treatment of chronic tympanic membrane perforation by modulation of HB-EGF activity.

Abstract: An engineered medical device for treatment of osteonecrosis is provided where the size, porosity and ceramic content of the device can be personalized based on an individual patient's anatomical and physiological condition. The device distinguishes different segments mimicking anatomically-relevant cortical and cancellous segments, in which the cortical segments of the device can sustain mechanical loading, and the cancellous segment of the device can promote bone ingrowth, osteogenesis and angiogenesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyurethane bone-tendon graft biomaterial and method of making the bone-tendon graft biomaterial. The biomaterial has a gradient of mechanical properties through photocrosslinking such that a first end of the biomaterial is crosslinked at a higher degree than a second end, and the first end of the biomaterial has mechanical properties of bone and the second end of the biomaterial has mechanical properties of tendon.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the generation or treatment of chronic tympanic membrane perforation by modulation of HB-EGF activity.

Abstract: A stable injectable collagen-based hydrogel delivery platform and method is provided to obtain the viscosity, post-injection stability and mechanical properties needed of an injectable collagen matrix via incorporating alginate and calcium sulfate (CaSO4) into the matrix. The hydrogel (Alg/Col hydrogel) is shear-thinning, injectable through commercially available needles and stable right after injection.

Abstract: A graft scaffold geometry is provided for use in the repair of segmental large bone defect. The scaffold geometry has a first (central) conduit with one or several hook-shaped chamber, which form a second conduit, integrated to the lateral side of the scaffold. The purpose of the hook-shaped chamber(s) is three-fold: 1) to facilitate the insertion and containment of biological augmentation constructs, such as growth factor-impregnated carrier devices; 2) stabilize the local surrounding soft tissue envelope to allow ingrowth of new blood vessels; and 3) to improve the manipulation of the composite bone free flap during implantation. Whether one or all of these mechanisms are active in a given situation, the overall result is that the hook chamber enables enhanced containment of graft-augmenting synthetic osteoinductive constructs, prevents their displacement, and maintains their proximity to the scaffold, thus improving the chances of success of the graft.

Abstract: A graft scaffold geometry is provided for use in the repair of segmental large bone defect. The scaffold geometry has a first (central) conduit with one or several hook-shaped chamber, which form a second conduit, integrated to the lateral side of the scaffold. The purpose of the hook-shaped chamber(s) is three-fold: 1) to facilitate the insertion and containment of biological augmentation constructs, such as growth factor-impregnated carrier devices; 2) stabilize the local surrounding soft tissue envelope to allow ingrowth of new blood vessels; and 3) to improve the manipulation of the composite bone free flap during implantation. Whether one or all of these mechanisms are active in a given situation, the overall result is that the hook chamber enables enhanced containment of graft-augmenting synthetic osteoinductive constructs, prevents their displacement, and maintains their proximity to the scaffold, thus improving the chances of success of the graft.

Abstract: An engineered medical device for treatment of osteonecrosis is provided where the size, porosity and ceramic content of the device can be personalized based on an individual patient's anatomical and physiological condition. The device distinguishes different segments mimicking anatomically-relevant cortical and cancellous segments, in which the cortical segments of the device can sustain mechanical loading, and the cancellous segment of the device can promote bone ingrowth, osteogenesis and angiogenesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyurethane bone-tendon graft biomaterial and method of making the bone-tendon graft biomaterial. The biomaterial has a gradient of mechanical properties through photocrosslinking such that a first end of the biomaterial is crosslinked at a higher degree than a second end, and the first end of the biomaterial has mechanical properties of bone and the second end of the biomaterial has mechanical properties of tendon.

Abstract: An engineered medical device for treatment of osteonecrosis is provided where the size, porosity and ceramic content of the device can be personalized based on an individual patient's anatomical and physiological condition. The device distinguishes different segments mimicking anatomically-relevant cortical and cancellous segments, in which the cortical segments of the device can sustain mechanical loading, and the cancellous segment of the device can promote bone ingrowth, osteogenesis and angiogenesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyurethane bone-tendon graft biomaterial and method of making the bone-tendon graft biomaterial. The biomaterial has a gradient of mechanical properties through photocrosslinking such that a first end of the biomaterial is crosslinked at a higher degree than a second end, and the first end of the biomaterial has mechanical properties of bone and the second end of the biomaterial has mechanical properties of tendon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyurethane bone-tendon graft biomaterial and method of making the bone-tendon graft biomaterial. The biomaterial has a gradient of mechanical properties through photocrosslinking such that a first end of the biomaterial is crosslinked at a higher degree than a second end, and the first end of the biomaterial has mechanical properties of bone and the second end of the biomaterial has mechanical properties of tendon.

Abstract: A simultaneous thermoplastic and thermoset deposition system is provided that includes a substrate holder, a thermoplastic molten-material extruder, photo-polymerizing light source, a prepolymer vat, and a controller, where the controller controls the thermoplastic extruder to deposit a thermoplastic layer according to a thermoplastic pattern on the substrate holder, where the controller controls the substrate holder to immerse the thermoplastic layer in the prepolymer vat for coating the thermoplastic layer with a coating of the prepolymer solution, where the controller controls the substrate holder to position the prepolymer coated thermoplastic layer for exposure to the photo-polymerizing light source, where the controller controls the photo-polymerizing light source to cure the prepolymer coating according to a thermoset pattern on the thermoplastic layer, where the controller iteratively controls the substrate holder, the thermoplastic molten-material extruder, and the photo-polymerizing light source to

Abstract: An engineered medical device for treatment of osteonecrosis is provided where the size, porosity and ceramic content of the device can be personalized based on an individual patient's anatomical and physiological condition. The device distinguishes different segments mimicking anatomically-relevant cortical and cancellous segments, in which the cortical segments of the device can sustain mechanical loading, and the cancellous segment of the device can promote bone ingrowth, osteogenesis and angiogenesis.

Abstract: Provided is a method of using a light sensor earphone to control an electronic device. The method includes: a light sensor earphone detecting light intensity of an ear close side and light intensity of an ear outer side according to a received light signal; comparing the light intensity of the close ear side with the light intensity of the ear outer side, and generating an electric signal corresponding to a current mode of an electronic device according to a comparison result; and sending the electric signal to the electronic device, for the electronic device to control a corresponding function in the current mode according to the electric signal. A light sensor earphone is also provided. By means of the technical solutions, the light sensor earphone is utilized to intelligently control corresponding functions of the electronic device so as to simplify operation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for preparing crosslinked polydepsipeptide copolymers by stereolithography (e.g., 3-D printing). In practicing methods according to certain embodiments, a crosslinkable copolymer containing a depsipeptide having one or more hydrolysable crosslinkers is photocrosslinked by stereolithography to produce a crosslinked polydepsipeptide copolymer. In certain embodiments, methods include contacting the crosslinkable poly(depsipeptide-co-?-caprolactone) copolymer precursor with one or more bioactive agents and photocrosslinking by 3-D printing to produce a crosslinked poly(depsipeptide-co-?-caprolactone) copolymer with incorporated bioactive agent. Crosslinkable polydepsipeptide copolymer precursors and crosslinked polydepsipeptide copolymers are also described.