890 results about "Tissue engineered" patented technology

The present invention relates to a method of preparing a porous polymer scaffold for tissue engineering using a gel spinning molding technique. The method of the present invention can prepare a porous polymer scaffold having a uniform pore size, high interconnectivity between pores and mechanical strength, as well as high cell seeding and proliferation efficiencies, which can be effectively used in tissue engineering applications. Further, the method of the present invention can easily mold a porous polymer scaffold in various types such as a tube type favorable for regeneration of blood vessels, esophagus, nerves and the like, as well as a sheet type favorable for regeneration of skins, muscles and the like, by regulating the shape and size of a template shaft.

This invention is directed to tissue engineered prostheses made from processed tissue matrices derived from native tissues that are biocompatible with the patient or host in which they are implanted. When implanted into a mammalian host, these prostheses can serve as a functioning repair, augmentation, or replacement body part or tissue structure.

Blends of biodegradable polymers, preferably poly(caprolactone) and poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid are discussed as well as their applications in the medical field, particularly with regard to bone tissue engineering. Preferably, hydroxyapatite ("HA") granules are incorporated into the blends and the resulting blends have desirable mechanical, physical, and biological characteristics. Even more preferably the compositions of the present invention are utilized to form osteoconductive composites that supported bone cell growth on the surface as well as throughout the scaffold.

The invention provides a biocompatible composite for use in a living subject for purposes of repairing damaged tissues and reconstructing a new tissue. The composite includes a biodegradable or absorbable three-dimensional support construct, a liquid or viscous fluid forming a gel matrix or viscous fluid when delivered to an area of interest in a living subject. The biodegradable construct provides an ideal surface for cell or cell extract attachment, while the gel matrix or viscous fluid acts as both a carrier material and a separator for maintaining the space between the constructs as well as the structural integrity of the developing issue.

The invention pertains to methods of producing artificial composite tissue constructs that permit coordinated motion. Biocompatable structural matrices having sufficient rigidity to provide structural support for cartilage-forming cells and bone-forming cells are used. Biocompatable flexible matrices seeded with muscle cells are joined to the structural matrices to produce artificial composite tissue constructs that are capable of coordinated motion.

Connective tissue, including neo-tendons and ligaments, has been constructed using biodegradable synthetic scaffolds seeded with tenocytes. The scaffolds are preferably formed from biodegradable fibers formed of a polymer such as polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid copolymers, and seeded with cells isolated from autologous tendon or ligament by means of enzymatic digestion or direct seeding into tissue culture dishes from explants. The cell polymer constructs are then surgically transplanted to replace missing segments of functioning tendon or ligament.

The invention provides cells, compositions and methods based on the differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells into a cell expressing at least one genotypic or phenotypic characteristic of a pancreas cell. The cells produced in the method are useful in providing a source of differentiated and functional cells for research, implantation, transplantation and development of tissue engineered products for the treatment of diseases of the pancreas and pancreatic tissue repair.

A multi-layered microcapsule has an inner extracellular matrix and an outer shell. The inner extracellular matrix includes a first inner layer of biopolymer and a second intermediate layer of polymer that provides partial immune-protection and holds the first layer in place. The outer shell can form an exoskeleton to provide mechanical stability. Each of the individual layers can be varied to optimize mechanical stability, cell function, and immuno-protection.

Connective tissue, including neo-tendons and ligaments, has been constructed using biodegradable synthetic scaffolds seeded with tenocytes. The scaffolds are preferably formed from biodegradable fibers formed of a polymer such as polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid copolymers, and seeded with cells isolated from autologous tendon or ligament by means of enzymatic digestion or direct seeding into tissue culture dishes from explants. The cell polymer constructs are then surgically transplanted to replace missing segments of functioning tendon or ligament.

The present invention generally relates to a combination of the fields of tissue engineering, drug discovery and drug development. It more specifically provides new methods and materials for testing the efficacy and safety of experimental drugs, defining the metabolic pathways of experimental drugs and characterizing the properties (e.g., side effects, new uses) of existing drugs. Preferably, evaluation is carried out in three-dimensional tissue-engineered systems, wherein drug toxicity, metabolism, interaction and / or efficacy can be determined.

This invention relates to a lamellae tissue layer, comprising a grooved silk fibroin substrate comprising tissue-specific cells. The silk fibroin substrates provides an excellent means of controlling and culturing cell and extracellular matrix development. A multitude of lamellae tissue layers can be used to create a tissue-engineered organ, such as a tissue-engineered cornea. The tissue-engineered organ is non-immunogenic and biocompatible.

A method of determining the voltage and current output required for the application of specific and selective electric and electromagnetic signals to diseased articular cartilage in the treatment of osteoarthritis, cartilage defects due to trauma or sports injury, or used as an adjunct with other therapies (cell transplantation, tissue-engineered scaffolds, growth factors, etc.) for treating cartilage defects in the human knee joint and a device for delivering such signals to a patient's knee. An analytical model of the human knee is developed whereby the total tissue volume in the human knee may be determined for comparison to the total tissue volume of the diseased tissue in the animal model using electric field and current density histograms. The voltage and current output used in the animal model is scaled based on the ratio of the total tissue volume of the diseased tissue of the human to the total tissue volume of the diseased tissue in the animal model and the resulting field is applied to the diseased tissue of the human using at least two electrodes applied to the knee or a coil or solenoid placed around the knee. The voltage of the signal applied to the electrodes, coil or solenoid is varied based on the size of the knee joint; larger knee joints require larger voltages to generate the effective electric field.

A method for studying scaffold-based tissue engineering approaches in combination with the use of progenitor or stem cells to generate new lung tissue in an in vitro system. The engineered tissue system of this invention is used to monitor lung and immune system exposure of pathogen and / or toxins. The method involves growing engineered lung / immune tissue from progenitor cells in a bioreactor and then exposing the engineered lung / immune tissue to a pathogen and / or toxin. Once exposed, response of the engineered tissue is monitored to determine the effects of exposure to the immune component of the tissue and to lung component of the tissue. This invention also involves development of mixed engineered tissues including a first fully functional engineered tissue such as lung tissue and a second fully functional engineered tissued such as immune tissue from a single animal donor. The mixed systems can include more than two engineered tissues.

The present invention is directed to a novel biocompatible polymer that may be used in tissue engineering. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using a citric acid copolymers.

The present invention relates to tissue engineered compositions and methods comprising nanotopographic surface topography (“nanotopography”) for use in modulating the organization and / or function of multiple cell types.

The invention is directed to methods for preparing artificial blood vessels by preconditioning a matrix seeded with endothelial cells to fluid flow conditions that mimic blood flow.

This invention relates to gradient scaffolds, methods of producing the same, and methods of use thereof, in particular for applications in tissue engineering, repair and regeneration. The gradient scaffolding includes, inter-alia, scaffolds, which are varied in terms of their pore diameter, chemical composition, crosslink density, or combinations thereof, throughout the scaffolding.

A bioreactor and methods of using same for making tissue constructs and for conditioning tissue-engineered constructs and harvested tissues such as cryopreserved tissues. The bioreactor allows for static and dynamic culture / conditioning. The bioreactor is dual chambered (one chamber above and one below the cells or construct) to allow for application of biochemical and / or biomechanical stimuli to each side of the cells / construct.

The present invention relates to a bone graft material and a scaffold for tissue engineering applications, which have an osteogenesis-promoting peptide immobilized on the surface. More particularly, the invention relates to a bone graft material and a scaffold for tissue engineering applications, which have a cell adhesion-inducing peptide and / or tissue growth factor-derived peptide immobilized on the surface. By the osteogenesis-promoting peptide immobilized on the surface, the inventive bone graft material and scaffold for tissue engineering applications can promote the transition, proliferation and differentiation of cells associated with regeneration, and eventually maximize the regeneration of tissue. Moreover, the peptide immobilized on the surface has low molecular weight, indicating a reduced risk of immune responses upon its application in the body, and can be present in a stable form within the body, thus showing lasting effects. Accordingly, the peptide makes it expedient to perform surgical operations for the regeneration of periodontal tissue, alveolar bone and other bone tissues, and will show high therapeutic effect.

The invention relates to porous ceramic composites incorporating biodegradable polymers for use as a bone substitute in the fields of orthopaedics and dentistry or as a scaffold for tissue engineering applications. The porous ceramic composite implant for connective tissue replacement comprises a porous ceramic matrix having a biodegradable polymer provided on internal and external surfaces of the ceramic matrix. The biodegradable polymer allows for the passage and / or delivery of a variety of agents throughout the porous ceramic matrix and improves mechanical properties of the implant in vivo.

The invention discloses a bio-macromolecular hydrogel prepared by enzyme catalysis and ion cross-linking, and a preparation method of the bio-macromolecular hydrogel. The bio-macromolecular hydrogel comprises a protein or polypeptide bio-macromolecular network formed by enzyme-catalyzed cross-linking of protein or polypeptide or amino acid residue-containing molecule, accounting for 1-99 wt% of total dry mass of the hydrogel; and a polysaccharide bio-macromolecular network formed by bivalent ion cross-linking of polysaccharide macromolecule, accounting for 1-99 wt% of total dry mass of the hydrogel. The above two networks are inter-penetrated without chemical bonding. The hydrogel has the advantages of excellent mechanical properties, no use of chemical cross-linking agent, simple and effective preparation method, good bio-compatibility and mechanical strength, and capability of steam sterilization; may be in the forms of wet or dry film, porous sponge, tube and particles; and can be used in cell / tissue culture, and used as tissue repair material, tissue engineered scaffold or drug release carrier.

A method of determining the voltage and current output required for the application of specific and selective electric and electromagnetic signals to diseased articular cartilage in the treatment of osteoarthritis, cartilage defects due to trauma or sports injury, or used as an adjunct with other therapies (cell transplantation, tissue-engineered scaffolds, growth factors, etc.) for treating cartilage defects in the human knee joint and a device for delivering such signals to a patient's knee. An analytical model of the human knee is developed whereby the total tissue volume in the human knee may be determined for comparison to the total tissue volume of the diseased tissue in the animal model using electric field and current density histograms. The voltage and current output used in the animal model is scaled based on the ratio of the total tissue volume of the diseased tissue of the human to the total tissue volume of the diseased tissue in the animal model and the resulting field is applied to the diseased tissue of the human using at least two electrodes applied to the knee or a coil or solenoid placed around the knee. The voltage of the signal applied to the electrodes, coil or solenoid is varied based on the size of the knee joint; larger knee joints require larger voltages to generate the effective electric field.

The present invention discloses a method for making a porous calcium phosphate article including i) preparing a shaped article from a paste containing a calcium phosphate cement, a pore-forming powder and a setting liquid; ii) immersing the shaped article in an immersing liquid for a period of time so that the pore-forming powder is dissolved in the immersing liquid, creating pores in said shaped article; and iii) removing the resulting porous shaped article from the immersing liquid, wherein the resulting porous shaped article has an improved compressive strength. The porous shaped calcium phosphate article of the present invention may be used as a tissue-engineered scaffold, medical implant or a reinforcing constituent of a composite.

The invention provides methodologies and apparatus for producing acellular soft-tissue implants, both in small quantities and in commercializable quantities. Such soft-tissue implants include vascular graft substitutes. An acellular graft is produced by subjecting the tissue sample to an induced pressure mediated flow of an extracting solution, followed by inducing a pressure mediated flow of a treating solution, then washing the treated tissue to produce the acellular graft. The acellular grafts produced are uniform and non-immunogenic. The inventive method allows for the production of multiple decellularized soft tissue implants, where processing time is significantly less than prior art processes and the number of implants produced per day is increased over prior art processes. In clinical use, the decellularized grafts produced exhibit significantly improved in long-term durability and function.

The invention provides systems, modules, bioreactor and methods for the automated culture, proliferation, differentiation, production and maintenance of tissue engineered products. In one aspect is an automated tissue engineering system comprising a housing, at least one bioreactor supported by the housing, the bioreactor facilitating physiological cellular functions and / or the generation of one or more tissue constructs from cell and / or tissue sources. A fluid containment system is supported by the housing and is in fluid communication with the bioreactor. One or more sensors are associated with one or more of the housing, bioreactor or fluid containment system for monitoring parameters related to the physiological cellular functions and / or generation of tissue constructs; and a microprocessor linked to one or more of the sensors. The systems, methods and products of the invention find use in various clinical and laboratory settings.

The present invention generally relates to the field of cell growth and tissue engineering, in particular, tissue engineered compositions comprising a nanotextured substrate which is structurally configured for growth of cells in an anatomically correct adult phenotype in vitro. In particular, described herein are nanotextured substrates which are structurally configured for the anisotropic organization, maturation, and growth of in vitro-differentiated muscle cells, such as cardiomyocytes, and methods for the production and use thereof in varying sizes, nanotextures and substrate rigidities. In vitro-differentiated cardiomyocytes grown on the nanotextured substrates described herein are better-differentiated and more closely mimic adult cardiac tissue than the same cells grown on a non-textured substrate of the same composition. The nanotextured substrate / cell constructs provide a platform for screening to predict the effect of test agents or drugs on, for example, human cardiac tissue, including patient-derived tissue, or for the identification of agents that effect various cardiac functional parameters.

The present invention discloses a method for making a porous calcium phosphate article including i) preparing a shaped article from a paste containing a calcium phosphate cement, a pore-forming powder and a setting liquid; ii) immersing the shaped article in an immersing liquid for a period of time so that the pore-forming powder is dissolved in the immersing liquid, creating pores in said shaped article; and iii) removing the resulting porous shaped article from the immersing liquid, wherein the resulting porous shaped article has an improved compressive strength. The porous shaped calcium phosphate article of the present invention may be used as a tissue-engineered scaffold, medical implant or a reinforcing constituent of a composite.

A method of preparing matrices or tissue engineered biomaterials for implantation, and in particular to a method of improving decellularisation of matrices or tissue engineered biomaterials prior to implantation. The method employs a single anionic detergent in combination with protease inhibitors.

The invention described herein provides a structure for growing isolated differentiable human mesenchymal cells, which includes a three-dimensional matrix of fibers. The matrix serves as an implantable scaffolding for delivery of differentiable human mesenchymal cells in tissue engineering. The invention further provides compositions that contain the three-dimensional matrix of fibers seeded with isolated differentiable human mesenchymal cells, wherein the matrix forms a supporting scaffold for growing the isolated differentiable human mesenchymal cells, and wherein the differentiable human mesenchymal cells differentiate into a mature cell phenotype. The invention further provides methods of preparing the implantable nanofiber matrix scaffolding seeded with differentiable human mesenchymal cells for use in tissue engineering.

The present invention discloses a method for making a porous calcium phosphate article including i) preparing a shaped article from a paste containing a calcium phosphate cement, a pore-forming powder and a setting liquid; ii) immersing the shaped article in an immersing liquid for a period of time so that the pore-forming powder is dissolved in the immersing liquid, creating pores in said shaped article; and iii) removing the resulting porous shaped article from the immersing liquid, wherein the resulting porous shaped article has an improved compressive strength. The porous shaped calcium phosphate article of the present invention may be used as a tissue-engineered scaffold, medical implant or a reinforcing constituent of a composite.