me Method for restoring activity to a spent hydroprocessing catalyst, a spent hydroprocessing catalyst having restored catalytic activity, and a hyrdoprocessing process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A regenerated spent hydroprocessing catalyst treated with a chelating agent and having incorporated therein a polar additive. Full Article
me Catalyst for hydrogenation of oxalic ester to ethanol, method of preparing the catalyst, and method of using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A catalyst including: a support, the support including a mixture of SiO2 and ZrO2; an active ingredient including copper; a first additive including a metal, an oxide thereof, or a combination thereof; and a second additive including Li, Na, K, or a combination thereof. The metal is Mg, Ca, Ba, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Mo, La, or Ce. Based on the total weight of the catalyst, the weight percentages of the different components are as follows: SiO2=50-90 wt. %; ZrO2=0.1-10 wt. %; copper=10-50 wt. %; the first additive=0.1-10 wt. %; and the second additive=0.1-5 wt. %. Full Article
me Component having a catalytic surface, method for the production thereof, and use of said component By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A component part has a catalyst surface. This surface has metallic components and components of MnO2 (13) in contact with the former. The metallic components are preferably formed of Ag and/or Ni. These material pairs achieve a great improvement in catalyst action compared to the pure metals. Especially in the case of use of Ni, which is toxicologically safe, these surfaces, for example, may also find use in ambient air purification for reduction of the ozone content. The surface can be applied, for example, by a coating of the component part, in which case the metallic component and the component of MnO2 are applied in two layers. Full Article
me Catalyst and a manufacturing method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A catalyst can be manufactured using a method which can include preparing a first aqueous solution including zirconium, filling the pores of the porous alumina with the aqueous solution by a pore-filling method using the capillary phenomenon, forming a zirconia layer in the pores of the porous alumina, preparing a second aqueous solution including noble metals, filling the pores of the porous alumina with the second aqueous solution by a pore-filling method using the capillary phenomenon, and drying and baking the porous alumina to carry the noble metals in the pores of the porous alumina formed with a zirconia layer. Full Article
me Composite of porous substrate and one-dimensional nanomaterial and method for preparing the same, surface-modified composite and method for preparing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a composite of a porous substrate and one-dimensional nanomaterial, which is manufactured by a hydrothermal method. The method for manufacturing the composite of the present invention is simple and low-cost, and the one-dimensional nanomaterial is homogeneously distributed on the porous substrate with tight binding at the interface. The present invention also relates to a surface-modified composite and a method for preparing the same. The composite of the present invention which is hydrophobically modified at the surface can adsorb organic solvents such as toluene, dichlorobenzene, petroleum ether and the like, and greases such as gasoline, lubricating oil, motor oil, crude oil and the like, with a weight adsorption ratio of >10. Full Article
me Heavy aromatics processing catalyst and process of using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure relates to a catalyst system adapted for transalkylation a C9+ aromatic feedstock with a C6-C7 aromatic feedstock, comprising: (a) a first catalyst comprising a first molecular sieve having a Constraint Index in the range of 3-12 and 0.01 to 5 wt. % of at least one source of a first metal element of Groups 6-10; and (b) a second catalyst comprising a second molecular sieve having a Constraint Index less than 3 and 0 to 5 wt. % of at least one source of a second metal element of Groups 6-10, wherein the weight ratio of the first catalyst over the second catalyst is in the range of 5:95 to 75:25 and wherein the first catalyst is located in front of the second catalyst when they are brought into contacting with the C9+ aromatic feedstock and the C6-C7 aromatic feedstock in the present of hydrogen. Full Article
me Ceramic articles and methods of producing ceramic articles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ceramic article may comprise a sintered phase ceramic composition comprising aluminum titanate (Al2TiO5), zirconium titanate (ZrTiO4), and a niobium-doped phase. Full Article
me Filter material comprising porous organic polymers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a unit which comprises a multitude of particles based on porous organic polymers, wherein the organic polymers are obtainable by poly(acetylcyclotrimerization) of polyacetyl-functionalized or polyacetylated aromatics and/or polyacetyl-functionalized or polyacetylated polycycles, and to the different uses or possible applications of this unit. Full Article
me Hydroprocessing catalysts and methods for making thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for preparing an improved slurry catalyst for the upgrade of heavy oil feedstock is provided. In one embodiment, the process comprises: sulfiding at least a metal precursor solution with at least a sulfiding agent forming a sulfided Group VIB catalyst precursor, the metal precursor solution having a pH of at least 4 and a concentration of less than 10 wt. % of Primary metal in solution; and mixing the catalyst precursor with a hydrocarbon diluent to form the slurry catalyst composition. The slurry catalyst prepared therefrom has a BET total surface area of at least 100 m2/g, a total pore volume of at least 0.5 cc/g and a polymodal pore distribution with at least 80% of pore sizes in the range of 5 to 2,000 Angstroms in diameter. Full Article
me Hydroprocessing catalysts and methods for making thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for making an improved slurry catalyst for the upgrade of heavy oil feedstock is provided. In the process, a metal precursor solution comprising at least a water-soluble molybdenum compound and a water-soluble metal zinc compound is mixed under high shear mixing conditions to generate an emulsion. The emulsion is subsequently sulfided with a sulfiding agent ex-situ, or in-situ in a heavy oil feedstock to form the slurry catalyst. The in-situ sulfidation in heavy oil is under sufficient condition for the heavy oil feedstock to generate the sulfiding source needed for the sulfidation. Full Article
me Platinum-free monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles as ring-opening catalysts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Nanoparticle catalyst compositions and methods for preparation of same are described. The nanoparticle catalysts are platinum-free and are useful in effecting selective ring-opening reactions, for example in upgrading heavy oil. The catalyst may be of monometallic composition, or may comprise an alloyed or core-shell bimetallic composition. The nanoparticles are of controlled size and shape. Full Article
me Ring-opening polymerization of cyclic compounds catalyzed by carbene derivatives By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure provides methods of controlled polymerization of cyclic compounds catalyzed by carbene derivatives having a general formula as shown below, and to obtain a biodegradable polymeric material having a large molecular weight, a narrow dispersity, and no metallic impurity. Full Article
me Method for producing catalyst reforming tar-containing gas, method for reforming tar and method for regenerating catalyst for reforming tar-containing gas By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a method for producing a highly active catalyst for reforming tar-containing gas used to treat crude gas for chemical energy conversion consisting of converting to a fuel composition consisting mainly of methane, hydrogen and the like, by utilizing sensible heat possessed by crude gas generated during thermal decomposition of carbonaceous raw materials, and using the high chemical reaction activity of high-temperature tar contained in and incidental to the crude gas to convert the tar to light hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst; a tar reforming method; and, a method for regenerating a catalyst for reforming tar-containing gas. Full Article
me Selective hydrogenation catalyst and methods of making and using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A composition comprising an extruded inorganic support comprising an oxide of a metal or metalloid, and at least one catalytically active metal, wherein the extruded inorganic support has pores, a total pore volume, and a pore size distribution, wherein the pore size distribution displays at least two peaks of pore diameters, each peak having a maximum, wherein a first peak has a first maximum of pore diameters of equal to or greater than about 120 nm and a second peak has a second maximum of pore diameters of less than about 120 nm, and wherein greater than or equal to about 5% of a total pore volume of the extruded inorganic support is contained within the first peak of pore diameters. Full Article
me Materials incorporating antimicrobial polymers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 08:00:00 EST The present disclosure describes the manufacture and use of soft surfaces such as fabrics bearing surface-grafted antimicrobial polymers. Full Article
me Cyclodextrin-based polymers for therapeutics delivery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Dec 2013 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to novel compositions of therapeutic cyclodextrin containing polymeric compounds designed as a carrier for small molecule therapeutics delivery and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. These cyclodextrin-containing polymers improve drug stability and solubility, and reduce toxicity of the small molecule therapeutic when used in vivo. Furthermore, by selecting from a variety of linker groups and targeting ligands the polymers present methods for controlled delivery of the therapeutic agents. The invention also relates to methods of treating subjects with the therapeutic compositions described herein. The invention further relates to methods for conducting pharmaceutical business comprising manufacturing, licensing, or distributing kits containing or relating to the polymeric compounds described herein. Full Article
me Cyclodextrin-based polymers for therapeutics delivery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Dec 2013 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to novel compositions of therapeutic cyclodextrin containing polymeric compounds designed as a carrier for small molecule therapeutics delivery and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. These cyclodextrin-containing polymers improve drug stability and solubility, and reduce toxicity of the small molecule therapeutic when used in vivo. Furthermore, by selecting from a variety of linker groups and targeting ligands the polymers present methods for controlled delivery of the therapeutic agents. The invention also relates to methods of treating subjects with the therapeutic compositions described herein. The invention further relates to methods for conducting pharmaceutical business comprising manufacturing, licensing, or distributing kits containing or relating to the polymeric compounds described herein. Full Article
me Paper coating or binding formulations and methods of making and using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Dec 2013 08:00:00 EST A paper coating or binding formulation comprises an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising a copolymer obtained by polymerization of an unsaturated monomer and a carbohydrate derived compound and a tetrasulfonate-based fluorescent whitening agent. The carbohydrate derived compound can be selected from the group consisting of dextrins, maltodextrins, and mixtures thereof. Methods of preparing a paper coating or binding formulation and improving the whitening properties of paper are also provided. Furthermore, paper including a copolymer obtained by polymerization of an unsaturated monomer and a carbohydrate derived compound and a tetrasulfonate-based fluorescent whitening agent is also disclosed. Full Article
me Photosensitizer based on polymer derivatives-photosensitizer conjugates for photodynamic therapy By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Dec 2013 08:00:00 EST Disclosed is a novel photosensitizer based on polymer derivatives-photosensitizer conjugates for photodynamic therapy capable of being selectively accumulated in cancerous tissues and producing singlet oxygen or free radical by laser irradiation. The polymer derivatives-photosensitizer conjugates for photodynamic therapy are prepared as nano-sized particles, and have excellent selection and accumulation ratio for cancerous tissues. The photosensitizer conjugates can produce singlet oxygen or free radical by a specific laser wavelength. Owing to the excellent selection and accumulation ratio for cancerous tissues, the conjugates minimizes photo-cytotoxicity of the conventional photosensitizer having a low molecular amount. Accordingly, the conjugates are very useful as a photosensitizes for photodynamic therapy with reduced side effects and excellent therapeutic effectiveness. Full Article
me Method for making biodegradable superabsorbent particles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST A method for making particles containing carboxyalkyl cellulose, comprising blending a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch in water to provide an aqueous gel; treating the aqueous gel with a crosslinking agent to provide a crosslinked gel; drying the crosslinked gel to provide a solid; comminuting the solid to provide a plurality of particles. Full Article
me Crosslinked fibers and method of making same by extrusion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST The present disclosure relates to a method of forming fibers. First and second precursors, each possessing a core and at least one functional group known to have click reactivity, are mixed. The mixed precursors are then extruded under heat to cross-link during fiber production. Full Article
me Four branched dendrimer-PEG for conjugation to proteins and peptides By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT A polymeric dendrimer-like structure with four branches of monomethoxy-polyethylene glycol that can be represented as: The carboxylic group of the previous structure can be functionalized for the production of conjugates of pharmaceutical interest. The binding of this dendrimer-like polyethylene glycol to therapeutic proteins improves their in vitro and in vivo stability. Full Article
me Hyaluronic acid based copolymers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT Hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugates or crosslinked HAs compositions for coating an implantable device are provided. The implantable device can be used for treating a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, high cholesterol, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, and combinations thereof. Full Article
me “Green” plastic materials and methods of manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A process is disclosed for producing plastic materials by providing a biology based feedstock and reacting the biology based feedstock to form a feedstock capable of reaction to form the plastic material, wherein the plastic material is selected from polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Full Article
me Lignin-derived thermoplastic co-polymers and methods of preparation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a crosslinked lignin comprising a lignin structure having methylene or ethylene linking groups therein crosslinking between phenyl ring carbon atoms, wherein said crosslinked lignin is crosslinked to an extent that it has a number-average molecular weight of at least 10,000 g/mol, is melt-processible, and has either a glass transition temperature of at least 100° C., or is substantially soluble in a polar organic solvent or aqueous alkaline solution. Thermoplastic copolymers containing the crosslinked lignin are also described. Methods for producing the crosslinked lignin and thermoplastic copolymers are also described. Full Article
me Hydrogel tissue adhesive for medical use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A hydrogel tissue adhesive formed by reacting an aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharide containing pendant aldehyde groups with a water-dispersible, multi-arm amine is described. The hydrogel may be useful as a tissue adhesive or sealant for medical applications that require a more rapid degradation time, such as the prevention of undesired tissue-to tissue adhesions resulting from trauma or surgery. Full Article
me Thymol derivatives in polyester polymer toner resin By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides a polyester toner resin comprising a polyhydroxylated thymol derivative that may be used in manufacturing an emulsion aggregation (EA) toner for imaging devices. Full Article
me Bi-functional co-polymer use for opthalmic and other topical and local applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention contemplates a copolymer which is a graft or block copolymer useful to change wettability and surface characteristics of biological surfaces. Methods for use of these formulations and coatings to change wettability and sterically stabilize, and lubricate biological surfaces in a subject, for example, in the treatment of dry eye syndrome, and to prevent adherence of unwanted proteins, for example in the treatment of contact lens intolerance, are provided. Full Article
me Synthesis of abietic acid-based macromer for polyester resin process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT An improved polycondensation method for bio-based polyesters synthesized from pre-formed macromers and the corresponding compositions, which are useful for producing binder polymers for imaging applications such as emulsion-aggregation (EA) toner. Full Article
me Hydrogel tissue adhesive having decreased gelation time and decreased degradation time By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A hydrogel tissue adhesive having decreased gelation time and decreased degradation time is described. The hydrogel tissue adhesive is formed by reacting an oxidized polysaccharide containing aldehyde groups with a water-dispersible, multi-arm amine in the presence of a thiol additive. The thiol additive accelerates the process to form the hydrogel and accelerates the degradation of the hydrogel formed. The hydrogel may be useful as a tissue adhesive or sealant for medical applications, such as a hemostat sealant or to prevent undesired tissue-to-tissue adhesions resulting from trauma or surgery. Full Article
me Two-component lignosulfonate adhesives and methods for their preparation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are two-component lignosulfonate adhesives, methods of synthesizing two-component lignosulfonate adhesives, kits comprising two-component lignosulfonate adhesives and methods of using two-component lignosulfonate adhesives. Full Article
me Method for synthesizing calixarene and/or cyclodextrin copolymers, terpolymers and tetrapolymers, and uses thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a novel method for synthesizing a composition of polymers, copolymers, terpolymers and tetrapolymers, and to the use thereof, said composition being made from: cyclodextrins, in particular α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, the derivatives or corresponding mixtures thereof, and/or calix[n]arene(s) and/or of calix[n]arene derivative(s) and/or a mixture of two or more different calix[n]arenes selected from calix[n]arenes (n=4-20) and/or the derivatives thereof, and to the uses thereof. A method was developed on the basis of direct-melt polycondensation. The invention can be used in the pharmaceutical, human medicine, veterinary medicine, chemistry, separation chemistry, environmental, electronics, biological, diagnostics, phytosanitation, medicinal food, agri-food, and cosmetics fields, and in the nutraceutical field and in the field of molecular imprints (MIP). Full Article
me Method for preparing a gelling and viscosifying agent for drilling mud and the product thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A method for preparing lignin graft copolymer comprising: reacting lignocellulosic materials with an acrylic compound by bulk condensation under nitrogen atmosphere in the presence of a non-oxidizing strong organic acid as catalyst; separating the reaction mixture to obtain a solid phase mainly containing lignocellulosic materials and a liquid phase containing lignin graft copolymer and unreacted acrylic compound; and removing solvent from the liquid phase to obtain the lignin graft copolymer. Full Article
me Soil hydrophilization agent and methods for use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST Disclosed are soil additives capable of hydrophilizing soil particles and/or increase available water capacity in soil. The soil additive are capable of increasing the available water content/capacity (AWC) in soils, the additive in one embodiment comprising a polymer composition having a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion, wherein the hydrophobic portion of the copolymer binds with the soil particle surface and the hydrophilic portion of the copolymer can bind with water. This results in the prevention, arrest or decelerated loss of water from the targeted area, for example the plant root zone, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by plants, grasses, vegetation, etc. Full Article
me Hyaluronic acid based copolymers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugates or crosslinked HAs compositions for coating an implantable device are provided. The implantable device can be used for treating a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, high cholesterol, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, and combinations thereof. Full Article
me Multi-armed catechol compound blends By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention describes families of compounds that utilize multihydroxyl phenyl groups to provide adhesive properties. Selection of the multihydroxy phenyl group along with linkers or linking groups and the linkages between the linkers or linking groups with polyalkylene oxides, provides materials that can be engineered to afford controllable curing time, biodegradation and/or swelling. Full Article
me Benzindocyanine compound for labeling substance, intermediate thereof, and method for preparing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The present disclosure relates to a novel benzindocyanine compound for labeling biomolecules and a method for preparing the same. Full Article
me Adhesives and methods for their manufacture and use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Adhesive copolymers and methods for preparing them are disclosed. An adhesive copolymer may be prepared from a reaction mixture containing monosaccharide monomers and dicarboxylic monomers. The monosaccharide monomers may include any of a number of C5 and/or C6 monosaccharides. Full Article
me Polymeric composition for cellulosic material binding and modifications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A polymer composition suitable for wood treatment or binding comprises a reaction product of at least a polyol and at least a crosslinking agent. The crosslinking agent has at least 2 carboxylic acid groups per molecule. A wood product comprising a wood substrate and a polymer composition as well as a wood treatment process are also disclosed. Full Article
me Cellulose resin and method for producing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A cellulose resin produced by binding cardanol or a derivative thereof and abietic acid or a derivative thereof to cellulose or a derivative thereof. Full Article
me Multifunctional in situ polymerized network via thiol-ene and thiol-maleimide chemistry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Biomaterials that support cell attachment and growth are provided. In one aspect, biomaterials are provided comprising a first polymer matrix comprising reactive amino moieties and a second polymer matrix that interpenetrates with the first polymer matrix, where the second polymer matrix comprises a poly(alkylene oxide) comprising two or more alkylene oxide oligomers joined by gamma-thioether carbonyl linkages. In another aspect, biomaterials are provided comprising at least one biopolymer comprising amino groups, thiol groups, and bifunctional modifiers connecting at least some of the amino groups to at least some of the thiol groups; and at least one poly(alkylene oxide) cross-linked to at least two thiol groups of the biopolymer. The biomaterials may further comprise a pharmacologically active agent or cells. Methods of administering such biomaterials to a patient in need thereof are also provided. Full Article
me Polyester resin, electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A polyester resin is a polycondensate obtained by reacting a divalent alcohol, a divalent carboxylic acid, and a mono- or divalent rosin by the use of a zinc compound as a reaction catalyst. Full Article
me Polylactide-graft-lignin blends and copolymers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is directed to a PLA-graft-lignin polymers and copolymers and methods of making the same. As the lignocellulosic biorefining industry emerges as a viable fuels technology, the availability of the assortment of lignins will also expand. The use of lignins as a copolymer is one area where lignin may be utilized. Full Article
me Water based lignin epoxy resins, methods of using and making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Water based lignoepoxy resins, and methods for their preparation and use are provided. Methods of making lignoepoxy resins without the use of volatile organic compounds are also provided. Full Article
me Photo-crosslinked gellan gum-based hydrogels: preparation methods and uses thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention refers to photo-crosslinked hydrogel materials based in gellan gum suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications or as drug delivery systems. Formulations of gellan gum with different degrees of acylation serve as precursor material for insertion of a polymerizable moiety. The materials are capable of free radical polymerization with a photo-initiator at mild temperatures and exposure to ultraviolet light, enabling control of reticulation and withstanding the encapsulation of human and animal cells and/or drugs, and any combination thereof. The physicochemical and biological properties can be adjusted by combining different formulations of gellan gum and reaction conditions. The matrix can be used either as an acellular or cellular system, dispensed manually or automatically by injection and crosslinked directly at the site of application, and can be processed using manual or automated systems in different types of scaffolds, such as hydrogels, fibers, 3D structures and micro- or nanoparticles. Full Article
me Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially. Full Article
me Ocular implants with asymmetric flexibility By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ocular implant having an inlet portion and a Schlemm's canal portion distal to the inlet portion, the inlet portion being disposed at a proximal end of the implant and sized and configured to be placed within an anterior chamber of a human eye, the Schlemm's canal portion being arranged and configured to be disposed within Schlemm's canal of the eye when the inlet portion is disposed in the anterior chamber. Full Article
me Method of securing a medical device onto a balloon and system thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for securing an implantable medical device onto a balloon which includes applying a coating, which includes a film-forming polymer and at least one solvent, to the outer surface of the balloon. The solvents can include alcohol, water, ether and combinations thereof. The film-forming polymer can include a zwitterionic polymer, such as, for example a phosphorylcholine polymer. The coating can be applied to the entire balloon surface or a portion of the surface. The implantable medical device is then positioned on the outer surface of the balloon and secured. The film-forming polymer is then allowed to cure in order to define an adhesive layer between an inner surface of the implantable medical device and the outer surface of the balloon. This method prevents or reduces the leaching or redistribution of any therapeutic agents dispersed within or on the surface of the implantable medical device. Full Article
me Device and method for delivering a vascular device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device and method for delivering a vascular device to a target site is provided that maintains a proximal portion of the vascular device within a tubular sleeve by positioning a stop of an inner member at a distal opening of the tubular sleeve to block the opening. Once the stop has been moved distally via movement of the inner member to clear the opening, a band of increased thickness on the inner member can urge the proximal portion of the vascular device out of the tubular sleeve to deploy the vascular device. The vascular device may be recaptured within a delivery sheath prior to the full deployment of the proximal portion of the vascular device from the tubular sleeve by re-positioning the stop at the distal opening to hold the vascular device within the tubular sleeve as the delivery device is retracted with respect to the delivery sheath. Full Article
me System and method to electrically charge implantable devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An implantable device having a power source is provided. The power source uses reverse electrowetting technology to generate a charge to power the implantable device. The power source includes a flexible, non-conductive substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side with a channel between the first and second sides. Electrodes are arranged about the channel in a predefined pattern. A liquid is contained in the channel. The liquid includes a dielectric liquid and a conductive liquid that do not mix. The electric change is generated by moving the liquid back and forth across the electrodes. The force to pump or move the liquid is provided by organic means, such as, for example, the change in blood pressure between systolic and diastolic, the expansion and contraction of an organ, or the movement of a muscle. Full Article