The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Marshall Strome

Richard A Gross

Anthony Calabro

Kiyotaka Fukamachi

Aniq B Darr

Anthony Miniaci

Daniel Alam

Alex Melamud

Daniel P Knott

Scott E Strome

Michael K Banbury

Hilel Lewis

Keiji Kamohara

Lee Akst

James Chan

David Haynes

Wayne Fjerstad

David A Fabry

A dihydroxyphenyl cross-linked macromolecular network is provided that is useful in artificial tissue and tissue engineering applications, particularly to provide a synthetic macromolecular network for a wide variety of tissue types. In particular, artificial or synthetic cartilage, vocal cord material, vitreous material, soft tissue material and mitral valve material are described. In an embodiment, the network is composed of tyramine-substituted and cross-linked hyaluronan molecules, wherein cross-linking is achieved via peroxidase-mediated dityramine-linkages that can be performed in vivo. The dityramine bonds provide a stable, coherent hyaluronan-based hydrogel with desired physical properties.

Hydroxyphenyl cross-linked macromolecular network and applications thereof

A dihydroxyphenyl cross-linked macromolecular network is provided that is useful in artificial tissue and tissue engineering applications, particularly to provide a synthetic, implantable tissue matrix material for a wide variety of tissue types. In particular, artificial or synthetic cartilage, vocal cord material, vitreous material, soft tissue material and mitral valve material are described. In an embodiment, the network is composed of tyramine-substituted and cross-linked hyaluronan molecules, wherein cross-linking is achieved via peroxidase-mediated dityramine-linkages that can be performed in vivo. The dityramine bonds provide a stable, coherent hyaluronan-based hydrogel with desired physical properties.

An apparatus and system for inducing stimulation of muscles within the mouth. The apparatus includes a housing having a controller. A muscular contact member extends from the housing and is configured to contact muscles within the mouth, including for example the palate and the tongue. A vibrating device cooperates with the controller and muscular contact member to transmit vibration to the muscular contact member and in turn to muscles within the mouth. In the system, such an apparatus is provided that is rechargeable. A storage base receives the rechargeable apparatus when it is not in use and includes a battery charger. The storage base also optionally includes disinfecting means for cleaning the muscular contact member.

Apparatus and system for stimulating mouth muscles

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Gates Mills, OH, United States of America

Marshall Strome