Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Smart Hygiene Ltd.

John Patrick Gleeson

Fergal Joseph O'Brien

Tanya J Levingstone

Niamh Plunkett

Daragh Gilsenan

Fergal J O'brien

Fergal J O'BRIEN

The invention relates to a method for producing a multi-layer collagen scaffold. The method generally comprises the steps of: preparing a first suspension of collagen and freezing or lyophilizing the suspension to provide a first layer; optionally preparing a further suspension of collagen and adding the further suspension onto the layer formed in the previous step to form a further layer, and freezing or lyophilizing the layers, wherein when the layer formed in the previous step is formed by lyophilization the lyophilized layer is re-hydrated prior to addition of the next layer; optionally, repeating the aforementioned step to form one or more further layers; and preparing a final suspension of collagen and pouring the final suspension onto the uppermost layer to form a final layer, and freeze-drying the layers to form the multi-layer collagen composite scaffold.

Layered collagen and ha scaffold suitable for osteochondral repair

Layered collagen and HA scaffold suitable for osteochondral repair

A process for producing a collagen/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite scaffold comprises the steps of forming a homogenous suspension of collagen and HA in an acidic solution, lyophilizing the suspension until a desired final freezing temperature is reached to produce the composite scaffold, and optionally cross-linking the composite scaffold, wherein the ratio of HA to collagen is at least 1:10 (w/w). Also provided is a collagen/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite scaffold comprising a homogenous distribution of hydroxyapatite within a porous, crosslinked, collagen matrix, wherein the ratio of HA to collagen is at least 1:10 (w/w). Suitably, the composite scaffold has a porosity of at least 99% (v/v), and a compressive stiffness of at least 0.3 KPa. Composite scaffolds of the invention may be used to provide osteoconductive bone implants and tissue engineering implants.

Collagen/hydroxyapatite composite scaffold, and process for the production thereof

The invention relates to a method for producing a multi-layer collagen scaffold. The method generally comprises the steps of: preparing a first suspension of collagen and freezing or lyophilising the suspension to provide a first layer; optionally preparing a further suspension of collagen and adding the further suspension onto the layer formed in the previous step to form a further layer, and freezing or lyophilising the layers, wherein when the layer formed in the previous step is formed by lyophilisation the lyophilised layer is re-hydrated prior to addition of the next layer; optionally, repeating the aforementioned step to form one or more further layers; and preparing a final suspension of collagen and pouring the final suspension onto the uppermost layer to form a final layer, and freeze-drying the layers to form the multi-layer collagen composite scaffold.

The invention provides a system and method for self-cleaning a door handle () by utilizing the kinetic energy of opening a door (). A cable (), for example a multi-link chain, fixed to the door frame () and a gear assembly () is provided such that linear displacement of said cable is converted to potential energy in response to movement of said door. The invention provides a means for rotating a drive roller () to co-operate with the door handle to clean said door handle, only when the door handle is released and the door is closing or closed. The potential energy provides the energy to enable the rotation of the drive roller.

Hygienic door handle system and method

The invention relates to a method for producing a multi-layer collagen scaffold. The method generally comprises the steps of: preparing a first suspension of collagen and freezing or lyophilizing the suspension to provide a first layer; optionally preparing a further suspension of collagen and adding the further suspension onto the layer formed in the previous step to form a further layer, and freezing or lyophilizing the layers, wherein when the layer formed in the previous step is formed by lyophilization the lyophilized layer is re-hydrated prior to addition of the next layer; optionally, repeating the aforementioned step to form one or more further layers; and preparing a final suspension of collagen and pouring the final suspension onto the uppermost layer to form a final layer, and freeze-drying the layers to form the multilayer collagen composite scaffold.

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Dublin, Ireland

John Patrick Gleeson