153 results about "Protein polymer" patented technology

A high strength abrasion resistant surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics and enhanced tissue remodeling and biocompatibility includes protein polymer fibers blended with synthetic fibers. The suture features a multifilament cover formed of strands of ultra high molecular weight long chain polyethylene braided with polyester, nylon or other nonabsorbable materials, along with fibers of a protein polymer, such as collagen. The cover surrounds a core formed of twisted strands of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The core also can include collagen fibers. The suture, provided in a #2 size, has the strength of #5 Ethibond, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle. The collagen fiber enhances tissue remodeling into the suture strand, thus improving biocompatibility.

Described are conjugates formed by an antibody fragment covalently attached to a non-proteinaceous polymer, wherein the apparent size of the conjugate is at least about 500 kD. The conjugates exhibit substantially improved half-life, mean residence time, and/or clearance rate in circulation as compared to the underivatized parental antibody fragment. Also described are conjugates directed against human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human p185 receptor-like tyrosine kinase (HER2), human CD20, human CD18, human CD11a, human IgE, human apoptosis receptor-2 (Apo-2), human tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), human tissue factor (TF), human α4β7 integrin, human GPIIb-IIIa integrin, human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human CD3, and human interleukin-2 receptor α-chain (TAC) for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

An apparatus for introducing a curable biomaterial into a spinal disc nucleus pulposus, comprises: an injection needle sized for introduction into the nucleus pulposus; a syringe operable to inject a curable biomaterial contained in the syringe under fluid pressure through the injection needle; and a valve coupled between the injection needle and the syringe. The valve is operable in an open position to permit passage of the biomaterial from the syringe into the needle under fluid pressure, and in a closed position to maintain the fluid pressure of the injected biomaterial within the nucleus. In certain embodiments, the needle has a relatively smooth outer surface and a substantially constant outer diameter over its length. An outer docking cannula may also be provided that is sized and configured for piercing through the disc annulus and for docking thereto. A kit of parts is provided that comprises: a cannula having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the cannula adapted to be inserted through the disc annulus; an injection needle having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end adapted to be inserted into the proximal end of the cannula and configured for relatively close sliding fit therewithin; and a syringe for containing a quantity of curable biomaterial, the syringe adapted to be coupled to the proximal end of the needle and to inject the biomaterial into the needle under pressure. The kit may further comprises a quantity of curable biomaterial that is selected to have upon curing strong adhesive properties such as a protein polymer.

The present invention is a substantially non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix. The matrix is both non-adhesive to wounds, tissues and organs and is also elastic such that it is flexible. The matrix is a lyophilized mixture of protein(s), polymer(s), cross-linking agent(s) and optional plasticizer(s). The invention also provides methods for making the non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix.

The present invention provides personal care compositions, and more particularly, personal care compositions comprising a bioactively effective amount of a repeat sequence protein polymer. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides personal care compositions comprising an effective amount of at least one fragment of a repeat sequence protein polymer having bioactivity.

Nanofluidic entropic traps, comprising alternating thin and thick regions, sieve small molecules such as DNA or protein polymers and other molecules. The thick region is comparable or substantially larger than the molecule to be separated, while the thin region is substantially smaller than the size of the molecules to be separated. Due to the molecular size dependence of the entropic trapping effect, separation of molecules may be achieved. In addition, entropic traps are used to collect, trap and control many molecules in the nanofluidic channel. A fabrication method is disclosed to provide an efficient way to make nanofluidic constrictions in any fluidic devices.

Humanized anti-IL-8 monoclonal antibodies and variants thereof are described for use in diagnostic applications and in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Also described is a conjugate formed by an antibody fragment covalently attached to a non-proteinaceous polymer, wherein the apparent size of the conjugate is at least about 500 kD. The conjugate exhibits substantially improved half-life, mean residence time, and/or clearance rate in circulation as compared to the underivatized parental antibody fragment.

In an embodiment, a number of synthetic protein triblock copolymers are provided comprising first and second end hydrophobic blocks separated by a central hydrophilic block. In particular, the synthetic proteins are elastin-mimetic proteins having improved mechanical characteristics and related methods of making the proteins with the capability of providing precise control over the mechanical properties. Provided are proteins used in a number of medical devices such as artificial blood vessels, shunts, stents or as embolic agents in situations where it is desired to stop or reduce blood flow or pressure in a localized region.

The present invention relates to methods for producing an aerated polymeric composition or aerated polymeric pet chew and the resultant product. The aerated pet chew includes a dry blend, a leavening agent, and a plasticizing slurry. The dry blend includes an amount of protein polymer.

Tissue adhesives formed by crosslinking albumin and/or gelatin with certain polyamines and/or polycarboxylates using a water-soluble carbodiimide are disclosed. The use of the tissue adhesives for medical and veterinary applications such as topical wound closure; and surgical procedures, such as intestinal anastomosis, vascular anastomosis, tissue repair, and ophthalmic procedures; drug delivery; anti-adhesive applications; and as a bulking agent to treat urinary incontinence are described.

A biodegradable scale and corrosion inhibiting composition includes between about 50 and about 90% by weight of a protein polymer that is derived from a natural source, and between about 10 and about 20% by weight of the alkali salts of gluconic acid.

A personal care composition is provided and includes an effective amount of a repeat sequence protein polymer. The personal care composition may be a hair care composition, a skin care composition, a nail care composition, a cosmetic composition, or an over-the-counter pharmaceutical composition.

The invention features articles for delivery of a biologically active substance, methods for making such articles, and methods for treating an animal using the articles.

A method of producing polymers of an isolated spider silk protein involves providing a solution of said spider silk protein in a liquid medium at pH 6.4 or higher and/or an ion composition that prevents polymerisation of the spider silk protein. The properties of the liquid medium are adjusted to a pH of 6.3 or lower and an ion composition that allows polymerisation of the spider silk protein. The spider silk protein is allowed to form polymers in the liquid medium, and the resulting spider silk protein polymers are isolated from the liquid medium. The resulting polymers are useful as fibers, films, foams, nets or meshes.

A rack for holding and organizing hair extensions comprises a vertical stand upon which a cylindrical member is attached at the upper end. A plurality of rack arms radiate outwardly from the cylindrical member. Each rack harm comprises a plurality of parallel and spaced apart teeth, the teeth having a groove between them. The width of the groove is sized such that the individual strands of hair of the extension fit through the groove, but the protein polymer at the end of the extension is too large to fit through the groove, such that the extensions may be suspended from the rack arms. The rack arms may be angled to facilitate placing extensions within the grooves, and removing the extensions from the grooves.

The invention discloses a plasma resonance microstructure fiber sensor which comprises a light source, two ordinary single mode fibers, a microstructure fiber and a photoelectric detector, wherein, the light source, the first ordinary single mode fiber, the microstructure fiber, the second ordinary single mode fiber and the photoelectric detector are connected sequentially; the microstructure fiber is formed by photonic crystal fiber taper which has paralleled hexagon cross section and two-dimensional periodic structure; a metal membrane and a protein polymer membrane are coated on the surface of the tapered section from inside to outside sequentially; and the periodic structure consists of a background medium and dielectric rods which are distributed and arranged in the background medium periodically. As the usage of a microstructure fiber cladding light guiding mechanism, the fiber sensor can not only educe a guided mode without peeling cladding, but also realize high coupling efficiency of optical power of incident wave entering surface plasma resonance wave without a buffer layer. The invention has the advantages of simple process, compact structure, high measuring accuracy, strong anti-interference ability, being capable of being operated in harsh environment, and the like.

Systems are provided for the controlled release delivery of active agents through the use of repeat sequence protein polymers. The systems may exist as matrices, gels, hydrogels, films, emulsions or microparticles and are particularly useful for incorporating active agents into personal care product compositions.

The invention discloses a protein-polymer composite nano-carrier and a preparation method thereof and relates to the field of nano preparations of antitumor medicines. The protein-polymer composite nano-carrier is designed and developed on the basis of the characteristics of a lipoprotein structure of a human body and comprises a polymer core and a hydrophilic protein shell; a targeting ligand can be flexibly modified according to the treatment requirement, so as to construct the protein-polymer composite nano-carrier with active targeting property; the in vivo stability of the medicine is improved; the tumor targeting property is increased. In order to increase the load rate of the protein on the polymer kernel, a cationic additive is added to the formula to prepare a cationic polymer nanoparticle; nano suspension is milk white liquid; spherical particles with relatively uniform distribution can be seen by scanning through a transmission electron microscope. A freeze-drying protective additive is added for freeze-drying the nano suspension to form powder, so that the protein-polymer composite nano-carrier is relatively easy to store and the stability is improved. The protein-polymer composite nano-carrier prepared by the method is uniform in particle size and good in stability; and a fat-soluble antitumor medicine can be effectively encapsulated.

Protein-polymer compositions and processes for their production are provided where the compositions have improved resistance to ultraviolet light induced weathering and associated loss of enzyme activity. The incorporation of both a sterically hindered amine and an ultraviolet light absorber at a concentration of at least 5% by weight produces a curable or cured composition with UV stabilized enzyme activity that can be used as a bioactive coating with improved stain removal properties.