FIGURE 3.

Schematic of incorporating HS into therapeutic devices. (1) Synthetic HS that approximates the degree of sulfation and acetylation of naturally occurring HS can be derived from heparin through chemical modifications. Example modifications of HS and composition of device. (2) HS adsorbed onto a collagen membrane. (3) Solid form of HS as a carbohydrate foam. (4) Electrostatically bound HS (net –ve charge) protein substrate (net +ve charge). (5) Pegylated, alkylated or alternative chemical modification of HS to control hydrophobicity and release for direct coating onto a device. (6) Device characteristics tuned to release HS into the extracellular matrix facilitating tissue regeneration.