The University of Texas System

Salix Medical, Inc.

University of California

William Marsh Rice University

Kyriacos A Athanasiou

George P Constantinides

Dan R Lanctot

Chandra Mauli Agrawal

Barbara Dale Boyan

Ruben G Zamorano

Lawrence A Lavery

Marc D Feldman

Mauli Agrawal

Jerry Hu

Heenam Kwon

Stephen R Bailey

Jerry C Hu

Ying Deng

The methods described herein are for conserving highly expanded cells that have functional properties such as potential for use in neotissue constructs. For example, highly expanded chondrocytes that can be used to construct neocartilage exhibiting functional properties similar to native articular cartilage. The methods and systems feature processes that form functional, human cartilage using cells that have been expanded to at least 1.5&#xd7;10times or P3 or greater. This enables a large quantity of engineered cartilage implants to be produced from few cells.

Methods and systems for conserving highly expanded cells

Methods for inducing differentiation of dermis-derived cells to serve as a source of chondrocytes and associated methods of use in forming tissue engineered constructs. One example of a method is a method for inducing differentiation of cells into chondrocytes comprising providing aggrecan sensitive isolated dermis cells and seeding the cells onto an aggrecan coated surface.

Dermis-derived cells for tissue engineering applications

A stent for use in animals including humans is disclosed which includes unprotected and protected regions, each protected regions including a bioactive or biopenetrating agent containing therein where the protected regions are protected by the unprotected regions when the stent is in its undeployed state which has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the stent in its deployed state. And when the stent is in its deployed state the bioactive or biopenetrating agent(s) are brought into direct and intimate contact with a tissue or interior of a blood vessel of an animal including a human.

Method and apparatus for stent deployment with enhanced delivery of bioactive agents

A device for tissue, especially hard tissue, penetration which incorporated a novel paddle-shaped needle for low friction rotatory penetration of the tissue. A controlled delivery or extraction system is also disclosed for the transfer of material from the device into a tissue site or transfer of material from the tissue site to the device. The delivery system or extraction system includes at least on solenoid or other similar device.

Tissue penetrating device and methods for using same

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for monitoring skin temperatures at predetermined locations on the body of a human or an animal. One embodiment includes a platform with a grid including holes on which the user stands. Under the grid is a movable array of light sensors and temperature sensors. The foot position is determined from the output of the light sensors. The temperatures at predetermined locations on the skin surface are determined by the signals obtained from the temperature sensors. Additional vital health information may be obtained by other sensors on the apparatus. The data may be stored for future retrieval, or transmitted to a remote location for off-site monitoring. Alternative embodiments include sensor blankets or wraps whereby temperature sensors monitor skin temperature for areas of pressure on the blanket or areas covered by the wrap.

Foot temperature and health monitoring system

The present invention involves a device for tissue, especially hard tissue, penetration device which incorporated a novel paddle-shaped needle for low friction rotatory penetration of hard tissue and a controlled delivery or extraction system for transfer of material from to device into a tissue site or transfer of material from the tissue site to the device. The delivery system or extraction system includes at least on solenoid or other similar device.

An apparatus and method for monitoring items of vital health information including temperature of the plantar aspects of the foot of the human, body weight, blood pressure, pulse rate, blood glucose level and blood oxygen level. The apparatus includes a platform on which the user stands. Included on the platform are a set of heat sensitive signal generating devices. The temperature at predetermined locations on the plantar aspects of the human foot are determined by the signals obtained from the individual heat sensitive, signal generating probes. Other items of vital health information may be obtained by other sensors on the apparatus.

Apparatus and method for monitoring the temperatures on the plantar aspects of a human foot and other vital health information

The present invention involves compositions having variable permeation and/or porosity and objects made therefrom. The compositions are prepared by dispersing a pore-forming agent in a polymer matrix by agitation. The composition is density developed resulting in a variable concentration in pore-forming agent throughout the mixture through application of an external force on the mixture with or without continued agitation. The pore-forming agent is then leached from the mixture to form a polymer matrix having variable permeability and/or porosity.

Permeable compositions and methods for their preparation

The present invention involves filler for treating injured tissue sites made from compositions having variable permeability to bodily fluid to reduce the flow to these fluids (bleeding) from the site of injury into the surrounding tissue. The fillers are prepared by dispersing a pore-forming agent in a polymer with agitation. Density developing a variable concentration of pore-forming agent throughout the polymer through application of an external force acting on the mixture so that a portion of the filler has a variable impermeability to bodily fluids. After agitation and/or density development, the pore-forming agent is leached from the mixture to form a polymer matrix having variable permeability. Alternatively, the compositions can be made by fixedly combining a permeable material with an impermeable material to form a filler with reduced permeability to bodily fluid flow.

Variable permeability bone implants, methods for their preparation and use

The invention discloses pH-controlling devices that comprise a biodegradable polymer and a pH-controlling substance, particularly an alkaline, acidic or buffering agents. By way of example, such alkaline agents include calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Methods of preparing such devices are also described. Methods for enhancing biocompatibility of an implantable device are also provided, as neutralizing alkaline materials are released at a rate that offsets changes in pH typically observed as polymers degrade to various acidic or alkaline by-products. By way of example, biodegradable polymers include PLA, PGA, polycaprolactone, copolymers thereof, or mixtures thereof. A new technique is disclosed to increase the surface porosity of porous implants which have a tendency to form relatively impermeable coverings. This technique entails the use of mechanical means to remove at least part of said covering, thus increasing the implant's surface porosity and permeability.

Method of enhancing surface porosity of biodegradable implants

Biodegradable, porous, polymeric implant material provides substantially continuous release of bioactive agent during in vivo use. Bioactive agent is initially released in amounts that are less than degradation rate of polymer, thereby promoting migration of cells into material. Later larger amounts of bioactive agent is released, thereby promoting differentiation of cells. Method of making material includes step of applying vacuum to form pores. Implant material may be adapted for one phase implant (e.g., for bone or cartilage) or for two phase layered implant (e.g., for cartilage layer on top of bone layer).

Continuous release polymeric implant carrier

Biodegradable, porous, polymeric implant material provides substantially continuous release of bioactive agent during in vivo use. Bioactive agent is initially released in amounts that are less than degradation rate of polymer, thereby promoting migration of cells into material. Later larger amounts of bioactive agent are released, thereby promoting differentiation of cells. Method of making material includes steps of applying vacuum temperature and consession to form pores. Implant material may be adapted for one phase implant (e.g., for bone or cartilage) or for two phase layered implant (e.g., for cartilage layer on top of bone layer).

Biodegradable implant

The invention discloses pH-controlling devices that comprise a biodegradable polymer and a pH-controlling substance, particularly an alkaline, acidic or buffering agent. By way of example, such alkaline agents include calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Methods of preparing such devices are also described. Methods for enhancing biocompatibility of an implantable device are also provided, as neutralizing alkaline materials are released at a rate that offsets changes in pH typically observed as polymers degrade to various acidic or alkaline by-products. By way of example, biodegradable polymers include PLA, PGA, polycaprolactone, copolymers thereof, or mixtures thereof. A new technique is also disclosed to increase the surface porosity of porous implants which have a tendency to form relatively impermeable coverings. This technique entails the use of mechanical means to remove at least part of said covering, thus increasing the implant's surface porosity and permeability.

Method of controlling the pH in the vicinity of biodegradable implants

An articular cartilage evaluator for determining the Index of Structural Integrity of articular cartilage. This computer-based system measures deformation or reaction force of articular cartilage through closed loop control of a testing tip and allows the measurement of peak force, stress relaxation behavior or creep behavior in vivo and in situ. This evaluator also allows the calculation of the tissue's material properties. A calibrator is also provided for calibrating the evaluator and attaching and removing a replaceable tip assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Kyriacos A Athanasiou