Tissue decellularization

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to tissue decellularization and, in particular to a method of treating tissues, for example, heart valves, tendons and ligaments, so as to render them acellular and thereby limit mineralization and/or immunoreactivity upon implementation in vivo.

Description

1. The present invention relates, in general, to tissue decellularization and, in particular to a method of treating tissues, for example, heart valves, ligaments and tendons, so as to render them acellular and thereby limit mineralization and / or immunoreactivity upon implantation in vivo.2. Cardiac valve disorders can be serious and in fact are often fatal. Treatment may require replacement of the valve with a prosthetic valve--mechanical or bioprosthetic. Bioprosthetic valves typically include a leaflet portion and a vascular conduit portion, both generally of a biological material, and possibly a stent.3. While bioprosthetic valves have a number of advantages over mechanical valves, including a lower risk of complications resulting from thrombus formation, they are associated with a higher risk of mineralization. This increased risk significantly limits the durability of the replacement valve. The present invention provides a method of rendering tissues, including heart valves, r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

9. FIGS. 1A and B show the effect of decellularization on the extensibility of and elastic modulus of aortic and pulmonary leaflets.

10. FIGS. 2A and B show the effect of decellularization on rates of stress-relaxation of aortic and pulmonary leaflets.

11. FIGS. 3A, B

Problems solved by technology

2. Cardiac valve disorders can be serious and in fact are often fatal.

3. While bioprosthetic valves have a number of advantages over mechanical valves, including a lower risk of comp

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