Abstract:
Embodiments herein described provide devices for identifying and collecting rare cells or cells which occur at low frequency in the body of a subject, such as, antigen-specific cells or disease-specific cells. More specifically, the devices are useful for trapping immune cells and the devices contain a physiologically-compatible porous polymer scaffold, a plurality of antigens, and an immune cell-recruiting agent, wherein the plurality of antigens and the immune cell recruiting agent attract and trap the immune cell in the device. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such devices. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the devices, compositions, and kits/packages. Further embodiments relate to methods for using the devices, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as autoimmune diseases or cancers.
Abstract:
A method for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature below a melting point of the polymer and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.
Abstract:
A method for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature below a melting point of the polymer and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.
Abstract:
In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems that include a track assembly, mold assembly, press assembly, and methods for using the same for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods are directed to processing a polymer at a temperature below a melting point of the polymer to produce a solid piece of polymer with an integrated a porous surface.
Abstract:
A method for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.
Abstract:
The present invention refers to a porous PEEK-type polymer article comprising a porous PEEK-type polymer structure and presenting at least a trimodal pore distribution. The invention describes a process for the production of said porous PEEK-type polymer article comprising: a) contacting a PEEK-type polymer with a composition comprising at least a organic solvent, b) heating at a temperature at which the PEEK-type polymer is dissolved, c) adding at least a porogen agent, d) cooling the mixture obtained in c) at a temperature at least equal or lower than the temperature at which the PEEK-type polymer precipitates, e) forming said cooled mixture into a shaped article, f) removing the organic solvent and the porogen agent, and g) recovering the PEEK-type polymer article.
Abstract:
Provided herein are bimodal porous polymer microspheres comprising macropores and micropores. Also provided herein are methods and apparatus for fabrication such microspheres. Further provided herein are methods of using bimodal porous polymer microspheres.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a polyurethane implant that is porous and degradable, and act as a scaffold for the repair of damaged tissue. Importantly, the implant of the present invention is biocompatible with the degradation products of the implant causing minimal immune or cytotoxic reaction. The present invention also provides for a method of making these biocompatible implants.
Abstract:
Poly(propylene fumarate) is copolymerized with poly(caprolactone) diol to produce a block copolymer of poly(propylene fumarate) and poly(caprolactone). The biocompatible and bioresorbable block copolymer of poly(propylene fumarate) and poly(caprolactone) is useful in the fabrication of injectable and in-situ hardening scaffolds for tissue and/or skeletal reconstruction. The block copolymer can be crosslinked by redox or photo-initiation, with or without an additional crosslinker. Thus, the copolymer is both self-crosslinkable (without the use of any crosslinkers) and photocrosslinkable (in the presence of photons such as UV light).