664results about How to "Reduce scars" patented technology

A improved flexible annular stapler for joining annular organs (163, 164) is disclosed. The novel stapler features greater accuracy of operation and better control by the operator, as well as additional functions, such as internal illumination (76) and viewing facility (82), and accommodation of a large number of accessories, such as fibroscopes (90) and catheters. The novel stapler features easy attachability of both stapling jaws (18, 25) and easy detachability of the head (11). The novel features of the flexible stapler, and associated methods performed thereby, are particularly useful for closed surgery.

An apparatus and method for mastopexy surgeries correcting a ptosis condition caused by tissue stretching, in the breast as a result of pregnancy, time, aging, and the effects of gravity and athletic activity provide an implant having homogeneously formed connectors extending from inside an implant wall for anchoring to the chest wall or chest muscles of a patient. Embedded reinforcements and anchoring tabs or sutures may be readily oriented along a rib or other defining physiological location in order to provide immediate, permanent, and symmetric installation of implants in a mastopexy reconstruction.

A wound sealing system and method for closing a vascular access site. The method invisions suturing a single continuous Z-stitch into a skin area around a wound and wound tract while the catheter remains within the vessel; covering the wound and suture holes with a hemostatic powder; tightening and knotting the ends of the suture together in an X configuration, applying finger pressure against the hemostatic powder as the catheter is removed; and twisting the suture ends together to tension the Z-stitch, pulling the skin area into inversion. The wound sealing system includes a powder containment device (PCD) which surrounds wound and catheter and a suture twisting member configured with the PCD to tension the Z-stitch closing the wound and arresting blood flow. The hole in the PCD holds a quantity of the hemostatic agent sufficient to cover the wound and suture holes.

A breast implant has at least an outer shell which is composed of a resorbable material. The implant, which can be formed entirely of bioresorbable material such as a collagen foam, is sized and shaped to replace excised tissue. The implant supports surrounding tissue upon implantation, while allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue to replace the implant. According to various alternative embodiments, the implant is elastically compressible, or can be formed from self-expanding foam or sponges, and can be implanted through a cannula or by injection, as well as by open procedures. The implant can carry therapeutic and diagnostic substances.

A system adapted to modify refractivity of a cornea of an eye, including a first component, and adapted to be implanted at a first depth in the cornea. A second component, separate from the first component, is adapted to be implanted at a second depth in the cornea at a position relative to the first component, such that an axis passing through the eye parallel to the optical axis passes through the second component without passing through the first component. The second depth is closer to the front surface of the cornea than is the first depth.

Methods and systems are disclosed for phototreatment in which replaceable containers comprising one or more adjuvant (consumable or re-useable) substances are employed. The adjuvant substance can be, for example, a topical substance or a coolant. Systems are disclosed for using a topical substance to detect contact of a phototreatment device with a tissue, detect speed of a phototreatment device over the tissue, detect regions of tissue that have been treated by a phototreatment device and / or to provide other benefits to the tissue such as improved skin tone and texture, tanning, etc. Safety systems are also disclosed that ensure that a proper consumable substance and / or container is connected to a phototreatment device and / or directed to a proper target. Additionally, cooling systems and methods that utilize phase change materials for extracting heat from a light generating device are disclosed.

A composition comprising an alloplastic injectable suspension for use as a dermal filler comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent is provided. A method of making a composition comprising an alloplastic injectable suspension for use as a dermal filler comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent, said method comprising admixing a biocompatible and pliable material with a physiologically acceptable suspending agent, is also provided. A method of augmenting soft tissue to provide long-term reduction of a skin defect, said method comprising stimulating collagen beneath the skin defect is further provided. In an embodiment of the method of augmenting soft tissue, the stimulation of collagen production is effected by injecting into the deep reticular dermis an a dermal filler, said dermal filler being an alloplastic injectable suspension and comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent.

Topical exposure of nitric oxide gas to wounds such as chronic non-healing wounds may be beneficial in promoting healing and preparing the wound bed for further treatment and recovery. Nitric oxide gas may be used to reduce the microbial infection, manage exudates secretion by reducing inflammation, upregulate expression of endogenous collagenase to locally debride the wound, and regulate the formation of collagen. High concentration of nitric oxide ranging from 160–400 ppm may be used without inducing toxicity in the healthy cells around a wound site. Exposure to the high concentration for a first treatment period reduces the microbial burden and inflammation, and increases collagenase expression to debride necrotic tissue at the wound site. After a first treatment period, a second treatment period at a lower concentration of nitric oxide, preferably ranging from 5–20 ppm may be used to restore the balance of nitric oxide and induce collagen expression aiding in the wound closure.

Provided are electrokinetically-altered fluids (e.g., gas-enriched electrokinetic fluids) comprising an ionic aqueous solution of charge-stabilized oxygen-containing nanostructures in an amount sufficient to provide modulation of at least one of cellular membrane potential and cellular membrane conductivity, and therapeutic compositions and methods for use in treating a wound to a surface tissue or a symptom thereof. The electrokinetically-altered fluids or therapeutic compositions and methods include electrokinetically-altered ionic aqueous fluids optionally in combination with other therapeutic agents. Particular aspects provide for regulating or modulating intracellular signal transduction associated with said inflammatory responses by modulation of at least one of cellular membranes, membrane potential, membrane proteins such as membrane receptors, including but not limited to G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR), and intercellular junctions (e.g., tight junctions, gap junctions, zona adherins and desmasomes). Other embodiments include particular routes of administration or formulations for the electrokinetically-altered fluids (e.g., electrokinetically-altered gas-enriched fluids and solutions) and therapeutic compositions.

A tissue marking implant includes a matrix material and a dye marker. The implant, which can be formed entirely of bioresorbable material such as a collagen foam, is sized and shaped to replace excised tissue. The implant supports surrounding tissue upon implantation, while allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue to replace the implant. According to various alternative embodiments, the implant is elastically compressible, or can be formed from self-expanding foam or sponges, and can be implanted through a cannula or by injection, as well as by open procedures. The implant can carry therapeutic and diagnostic substances. The dye marker leaches from the implant such that a surgeon, upon subsequent surgical intervention, visibly recognizes the tissue marked by the dye marker.

An apparatus is provided that includes a graft for coupling two vascular conduits within a patient. The graft includes: 1) an anchor system that forms an arc at one end of the conduits; and 2) a body element coupled to the anchor system. The anchor system comprises a biodegradable stent. In particular embodiments, portions of the graft are either self-expandable or balloon-expandable. In still other embodiments, anchor system includes NITINOL and the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at one end of the conduits. In one embodiment, the body element comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE). In yet other embodiments, the body element includes either a gelatinous or an elastomeric coating disposed on its surface.

A method for decellularizing separated skin is provided, the method involving simultaneous treatment with a protease and a surfactant. A highly reliable acellular dermal matrix and an optimum allogeneic acellular dermal matrix for simultaneous grafting with an autologous skin graft are also provided. Furthermore, there is provided a method for producing an acellular dermal matrix, the method including a decellularizing step of treating separated skin simultaneously with a protease and a surfactant, and there is also provided a composite cultured skin employing as a substrate the acellular dermal matrix.

The invention comprises a system and method for non-ablative laser treatment of dermatologic conditions. A laser energy is transmitted to an underlying target element in the skin. The target element is heated to a temperature of at least forty degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, a pulsed, near infrared, high peak power laser energy is used. The systems and methods of the present invention may be used to treat acne, smooth wrinkles, remove hair, treat leg veins, treat facial veins, improve skin texture, decrease pore sizes, reduce rosacea, reduce “blush / diffuse redness, reduce striae, reduce scarring, or the like.

The invention discloses a double-layer membranous tissue repair material and a preparation method thereof, wherein, a cell-free membranous biological derivative material is used as a surface layer, and a fibroblast is compounded in the interior of a biological support material to form a substrate, and then the surface layer and the substrate are combined in a chimeric way to form the double-layer membranous tissue repair material; a compact surface layer structure can effectively reduce the loss of water, electrolytes and protein from surface of wound, avoid the invading and the reproduction of bacteria to the impaired surface of wound as well as prevent the infection of the surface of wound, thus being beneficial to epitheliosis and epithelial growth; the substrate can directly repair the surface of wound, promote the ingrowth of cells around the surface of wound and the angiogenesis, induce the differentiation from stem cells to skin cells and quicken wound healing; compared with the existing products, the tissue repair material has the advantages of being capable of promoting the regeneration of skin, improving the elasticity, the flexibility and the mechanical abrasion resistance of skin after the surface of wound is healed, reducing hyperplasia of scar tissues, controlling the contracture, having excellent biocompatibility, increasing the success rate of transplant and improving the quality of healing; the invention has wide material resources and simple production method; the double-layer membranous tissue repair material prepared is applicable to the clinical treatment of skin defect caused by inflammation, ulcer, thermal burns, iatrogenicity and the like.

Topical exposure of nitric oxide gas to wounds such as chronic non-healing wounds may be beneficial in promoting healing of the wound and in preparing the wound bed for further treatment and recovery. Nitric oxide gas may be used, for example, to reduce the microbial infection and burden on these wounds, manage exudate secretion by reducing inflammation, upregulate expression of endogenous collagenase to locally debride the wound, and regulate the formation of collagen. High concentration of nitric oxide ranging from about 160 to 400 ppm may be used without inducing toxicity in the healthy cells around a wound site. Additionally, exposure to the high concentration for a first treatment period reduces the microbial burden and inflammation at the wound site and increase collagenase expression to debride necrotic tissue at the wound site. After a first treatment period with high concentration of nitric oxide, a second treatment period at a lower concentration of nitric oxide preferably ranging from about 5-20 ppm may to provided to restore the balance of nitric oxide and induce collagen expression to aid in the closure of the wound.

The subject invention provides a suction retractor comprising a flexible continuous dam which forms a closed loop of any shape and which defines one or more inlet opening into an interior of the closed loop, so that suction can be applied into an interior of the continuous dam. The suction retractor may further comprise a suction tube defining a suction channel, the suction tube attached to or attachable to the continuous dam and when attached the suction channel continuous with the one or more inlet. The one or more inlet may open to a continuous channel extending throughout an interior of the closed loop. Preferably, the continuous dam is planar or substantially planar and comprises a first compacted configuration for insertion and a second open configuration for retraction. The suction retractor of the invention finds application in single incision and convention laparoscopic surgery.

Methods and systems are disclosed for phototreatment in which replaceable containers comprising one or more adjuvant (consumable or re-useable) substances are employed. The adjuvant substance can be, for example, a topical substance or a coolant. Systems are disclosed for using a topical substance to detect contact of a phototreatment device with a tissue, detect speed of a phototreatment device over the tissue, detect regions of tissue that have been treated by a phototreatment device and / or to provide other benefits to the tissue such as improved skin tone and texture, tanning, etc. Safety systems are also disclosed that ensure that a proper consumable substance and / or container is connected to a phototreatment device and / or directed to a proper target. Additionally, cooling systems and methods that utilize phase change materials for extracting heat from a light generating device are disclosed.

Apparatus for sealing a vascular wall penetration disposed at the end of the tissue tract comprises a shaft, an occlusion element, a hemostatic implant, and a protective sleeve. The apparatus is deployed through the tissue tract with the occlusion element temporarily occluding the vascular wall penetration and inhibiting backbleeding therethrough. The hemostatic implant, which will typically be a biodegradable polymer such as collagen carrying an anti-proliferative agent or coagulation promoter, will then be deployed from the sealing apparatus and left in place to enhance closure of the vascular wall penetration with minimum scarring. The implant may be radiopaque to allow observation before release.

An apparatus is provided that includes a graft for coupling two vascular conduits within a patient. The graft includes: 1) an anchor system that forms an arc at one end of the conduits; and 2) a body element coupled to the anchor system. The anchor system comprises a biodegradable stent. In particular embodiments, portions of the graft are either self-expandable or balloon-expandable. In still other embodiments, anchor system includes NITINOL and the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at one end of the conduits. In one embodiment, the body element comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE). In yet other embodiments, the body element includes either a gelatinous or an elastomeric coating disposed on its surface.

Disclosed are methods and compositions for closing and sealing a wound, laceration, incision, or other percutaneous opening using an adhesive. In one preferred embodiment, the sides of the percutaneous opening are brought together in apposition and the adhesive is applied topically over the apposed opening and the skin adjacent thereto. Adhesives used in the methods of the preferred embodiments exhibit sufficient viscosity to substantially prevent flow of the adhesive into the percutaneous opening. Adhesives may also be used in surgical applications, as a covering for a trauma to the outer surface of the skin, or as a secondary means of closure in combination with other means of closure, including staples and sutures. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive is a adhesive comprising cyanoacrylate monomer, cyanoacrylate polymer, and a plasticizer.

A hybrid wax compositions that are suitable for use in manufacturing wax articles (e.g., candles) by compression molding. The combination of a hydrogenated natural oil-based wax and a paraffin wax having a select distribution of hydrocarbon chain lengths provides the hybrid wax compositions with improved properties, such as improved compressive strength and improved de-molding characteristics, for example, as evidenced by reducing scarring and / or flashing. The hybrid wax compositions comprise: (a) a wax comprising a hydrogenated natural oil; and (b) a paraffin wax, wherein the paraffin wax comprises less than about 50% by weight of the hybrid wax composition, and wherein about 52% or greater of hydrocarbons in the paraffin wax have carbon chain lengths ranging from C25 to C29.

Acellular amnion derived therapeutic compositions are described having a number of various compositional embodiments. An acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition has essentially no live or active amniotic stems cells. The amniotic stem cells may be destroyed, and the cells and cell debris may be removed from the acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition. An acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition may comprise micronized amniotic membrane particles, and / or amniotic fluid. An acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition may be a dispersion of micronized amniotic membrane combined with a fluid, such as plasma, saline, amniotic fluid, combinations thereof and the like. An acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition may be combined with a matrix component to form a composite. An acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition may be used in conjunction with a composition comprising viable cells, such as stem cells.

The present invention relates to the field of progenitor cells, and in particular to the field of cardiac progenitor cells. More particularly, the present invention pertains to the identification of a population of progenitor cells in the adult mammalian heart that is capable of giving rise to significant levels of de novo cardiomyocytes with the potential to replenish injured muscle post-infarction and / or promote neovascularisation to bring about complete cardiac regeneration. Accordingly, the present invention relates to methods for generating a population of mammalian post-natal epicardium derived cells (EPDCs), populations of EPDCs so generated, and methods of using same.

The invention relates to a traditional Chinese medicine composition for treating burn, comprising an oral medicine and an externally applied medicine, wherein the oral medicine is prepared from angelica sinensis, hemlock parsley, astragali, pseudo-ginseng, sanguisorba, safflower, radix rehmanniae, spatholobus stem, baikal skullcap root, giant knotweed, oldenlandia diffusa, dangshen, tuckahoe, white atractylodes rhizome and red peony root; and the externally applied medicine is prepared from myrrh, mastic, rhubarb, pseudo-ginseng, safflower, draconis sanguis, natural indigo, gromwell, fried sanguisorba, giant knotweed, carpet bugle, borneol and phellodendron bark. The traditional Chinese medicine composition provided by the invention is convenient to use and coat on an affected part for skin absorption, is easy to wash off and convenient to change dressing, can keep the surface of a wound wet, can prevent bacterial invasion, is capable of quickly alleviating pain, diminishing inflammation and relieving itching, and can promote the surface of a wound to heal quickly and reduce scar. In addition, the traditional Chinese medicine composition has short period of treatment, an obvious curative effect and no obvious toxic or side effect, has obvious efficacies of antibiosis, alleviating pain, subduing swelling, diminishing inflammation, adsorbing, converging, removing necrosis and promoting granulation, and is used through oral administration and external application with quite good effect.

A direct cardiac assist device which may aid in ventricular recovery. The device proactively modulates cardiac strain pattern to produce a contraction strain pattern that induces beneficial growth and remodeling of the myocardium or prevents or reduces apoptosis of the myocytes. The device may include an outer shell. membrane, or mesh and an inner membrane. The space between the outer member and the membrane may be filled with fluid that is pressurized during contraction. The device prescribes a beneficial strain pattern during heart contraction. This strain pattern does not invert the curvatures or grossly alter the curvatures of the heart and may assist in myocyte regrowth and healing of the failing heart.

The invention discloses a dressing composition used for inhibiting scars and accelerating wound healing and application thereof. The dressing composition consists of chitosan, acidic polysaccharide and panax notoginseng saponins in a weight proportion of 100:10-50:10-100, wherein the chitosan is selected from chitosan, chitosan lactate, acetate and hydrochloride; the acidic polysaccharide is selected from sodium carboxymethyl chitosan, sodium hyaluronate, zinc hyaluronate, sodium alginate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; and the panax notoginseng saponins accounts for no less than 40.0 percent of the total weight of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1. The formulations of the dressing composition are xerogel powder, capsules, gel membranes, hydrogels and fiber coatings. The dressing composition is used for wounds, burns, scalds, crush injuries, skin ulcers, gastroenteric ulcers and no healing of the wounds, has the advantages of rapid hemostasis, exudate reduction, moisturizing, air permeability, bacteriostasis, inflammation diminishing, itch relieving, no adhesion, effective inhibition of scarring, remarkable reduction of wound healing time and no need of replacing dressings, so that thedressing composition basically meets requirements of perfect functional external dressings.

The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with improved tissue and cellular uptake characteristics and methods of use of these compounds in dermal and fibrotic applications. Aspects of the invention provide nucleic acid molecules for the prophylactic treatment of wounding to reduce scarring. Herein, it is demonstrated that a specific nucleic acid molecule, RXI-109 (targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)), given prophylactically, reduces scarring during wound healing.

An implant for marking an area within a living body includes a matrix material and a marking material. The implant is formable to fit the shape and size of a cavity in the human body. The implant is configured to support tissue surrounding the cavity and to allow in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replace at least a portion of the matrix material.

The invention provides an external traditional Chinese medicine preparation for treating chronic wounds, which is prepared from the following raw medicines in parts by weight: 10-20 parts of draconis sanguis, 10-20 parts of chuanxiong rhizome, 10-20 parts of notoginseng, 10-20 parts of fried sanguisorba, 10-20 parts of safflower, 10-20 parts of spatholobus stem, 10-20 parts of giant knotweed, 10-20 parts of oldenlandia, 10-20 parts of red sage root, 10-20 parts of herba patriniae, 10-20 parts of moutan bark, 10-20 parts of myrrh, 10-20 parts of mastic, 10-20 parts of rhubarb, 10-20 parts of natural indigo, 10-20 parts of gromwell, 10-20 parts of catechu, 10-20 parts of borneol, 10-20 parts of phellodendron bark and 10-20 parts of boneset. The external traditional Chinese medicine preparation provided by the invention can promote healing of infectious wounds, increase pus, enhance qualitative viscosity and regenerate granulation to enable the wounds to quickly heal, has an obvious effect on treating wound infection, and can be used for treating partial ulcer, removing necrotic tissue and promoting granulation, accelerating the degeneration process of the necrotic tissue, promoting dilation of capillary vessels, accelerating microcirculation of the capillary vessels and filling the wounds.