79 results about "Tissue replacement" patented technology

A device, method and process for three-dimensional spatial localization and functional interconnection of the same or different types of cells. The two or three-dimensional device comprising multiple layers containing wells for cell deposition where both the wells and layers are interconnected through microfluidic channels. A process for fabricating the three-dimensional device and a method for depositing different types of cells within the device in a functional interdependent spatial orientation thereby mimicking physiological functions. The device is useful for diagnostic assays, determination of dysfunction of certain cells in the system, quantification of production of cellular proteins, metabolites, hormones or other cellular products, for organ or tissue replacement, for co-culturing different cells, for testing pharmaceutical agents and as a bioreactor for production of biologicals.

Cells grown on a microcarrier are separated from the microcarrier by enzymatically digesting the microcarrier. More specifically, chondrocytes may be grown on dextran microcarrier beadlets and then the beadlets digested using dextranase to separate the chondrocytes from the carrier. Cells can also be grown on chitosan microcarriers to be used for implantation. In addition, cells can be grown on polysaccharide polymers to be used as implant devices. Various polymers serve as scaffolds for cells to be used for implantation. The polymers can be used for cell culture as well as for preparing scaffolds useful for tissue replacement such as cartilage tissue.

Stem cells, including those designated as multipotent amniotic fluid stem cells (MAFSC) cells are found in the amniotic fluid of mammals, including humans. MAFSCs are fetal, multipotent stem cells that can be used for any desired stem cell utility, including treatment of individuals in need of tissue replacement or gene therapy. Methods of banking MAFSCs derived from the amniotic fluid cells of pregnant individuals are disclosed. Amniotic fluid-derived cells are banked for the purpose of access to transplantation antigen-compatible or syngeneic multipotent stem cells.

The present invention provides engineered tissue scaffolds, engineered tissues, and methods of using them. The scaffolds and tissues are derived from natural tissues and are created using non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE). Use of IRE allows for ablation of cells of the tissue to be treated, but allows vascular and neural structures to remain essentially unharmed. Use of IRE thus permits preparation of thick tissue scaffolds and tissues due to the presence of vasculature within the scaffolds. The engineered tissues can be used in methods of treating subjects, such as those in need of tissue replacement or augmentation.

The present invention relates to the field of medical treatment of diseases and disorders, as well as the field of biomedical engineering. Embodiments of the invention relate to the delivery of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) through the vasculature of organs to treat tumors embedded deep within the tissue or organ, or to decellularize organs to produce a scaffold from existing animal tissue with the existing vasculature intact. In particular, methods of administering non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) in vivo are provided for the treatment of tumors located in vascularized tissues and organs. Embodiments of the invention further provide scaffolds and tissues from natural sources created using IRE ex vivo to remove cellular debris, maximize recellularization potential, and minimize foreign body immune response. The engineered tissues can be used in methods of treating subjects, such as those in need of tissue replacement or augmentation.

The invention relates to the use of a thermal reversible gel, such as a copolymer composition, as a biological filler or implant. The gel has a semi-solid form at body temperature, but upon cooling to a temperature below a threshold level, the gel is liquefied and can be re-shaped, re-sized, manipulated or removed from the body. The gel may be used as a subcutaneous implant, a biological filler, joint or tissue spacer, for wrinkle filling or other cosmetic implants, as a soft-tissue replacement for reconstructive surgery, or as a barrier within the lumen of a biological structure, such as a blood vessel. The implant may be used to provide reversible birth control by providing, for example, a reversible barrier to the cervix or a reversible blockage of the lumen of the vas deferens.

A non-biodegradable hydrogel matrix containing microspheres of a biodegradable polymer for the purpose of treating, repairing, or replacing damaged biological tissue is described. The biodegradable phase can be admixed with a chemoattractant. Examples of degradable polymers include degradable polyesters such as 50:50 PLA:PGA, the degradation profiles of which are well characterized. The matrix is permanently inserted into a tissue defect to provide mechanical support before, during, and after tissue ingrowth.

The present invention is a natural, cell-free tissue replacement that does not require difficult or extensive preparation made by washing tissue replacement in a solution including one or more sulfobetaines and an anionic surface-active detergent and washing the tissue replacement in serial solutions of the buffered salt to remove excess detergent. The natural, cell-free tissue replacement may be a nerve graft that supports axonal regeneration, guides the axons toward the distal nerve end and / or is immunologically tolerated. Other forms of the invention are a composition and kit prepared by the method of making a native, cell-free tissue replacement. The present invention may be modified for use in diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic applications.

Three-dimensional tissue-like organization of cells by high cell-seeding-density culture termed as macromass culture is described. By macromass culture, cells can be made to organize themselves into a tissue-like form without the aid of a scaffold and three-dimensional macroscopic tissue-like constructs can be made wholly from cells. Tissue-like organization and macroscopic tissue-like constructs can be generated from fibroblastic cells of mesenchymal origin (at least), which can be either differentiated cells or multipotent adult stem cells. In this work, tissue-like organization and macroscopic tissue-like constructs have been generated from dermal fibroblasts, adipose stromal cells-derived osteogenic cells, chondrocytes, and from osteoblasts. The factor causing macroscopic tissue formation is large scale culture at high cell seeding density per unit area or three-dimensional space, that is, macromass culture done on a large scale. No scaffold or extraneous matrix is used for tissue generation, the tissues are of completely cellular origin. No other agents (except high cell-seeding-density) that aid in tissue formation such as tissue-inducing chemicals, tissue-inducing growth factors, substratum with special properties, rotational culture, etc, are employed for tissue formation. These tissue-like masses have the potential for use as tissue replacements in the human body. Tissue-like organization by high cell-seeding-density macromass culture can also be generated at the microscopic level.

Methods and materials for making complex, living, vascularized tissues for organ and tissue replacement, especially complex and / or thick structures, such as liver tissue is provided. Tissue lamina is made in a system comprising an apparatus having (a) a first mold or polymer scaffold, a semi-permeable membrane, and a second mold or polymer scaffold, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is disposed between the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds have means defining microchannels positioned toward the semi-permeable membrane, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds are fastened together; and (b) animal cells. Methods for producing complex, three-dimensional tissues or organs from tissue lamina are also provided.

Methods and devices are provided for delivering and affixing tissue replacements. In one embodiment, a tissue scaffold can be delivered into a patient through a cannula to a cavity formed at a defect site in tissue, e.g., cartilage. A delivery shaft can be used to deliver the scaffold through the cannula, and a loading device can help load the scaffold onto the delivery shaft. A delivery guide device can position and temporarily hold the scaffold within the cavity. The delivery guide device can guide one or more surgical instruments to the scaffold to affix the scaffold within the cavity, e.g., to bone underlying the scaffold, using at least one securing mechanism.

An apparatus and method for performing a surgery, especially an Anterior Cruciate Ligament replacement surgery, where a flexible strand insertion rod cooperates with a U-Guide apparatus to insert a flexible strand into a tunnel formed in a bone portion and to guide a drill point to form a tunnel transversely to the tunnel of the insertion rod. The drill point is guided through the insertion rod and the flexible strand is held over the drill point as the transverse tunnel is formed. The insertion rod is then removed from the tunnels formed in the bone and the flexible strand is held looped over the drill point. Subsequently, a soft tissue replacement is affixed to one end of the flexible strand and pulled over the drill point with the other end of the flexible strand. The drill point is then used to pull a cross pin through the transverse tunnel to hold the looped end of the soft tissue replacement in place. Finally, the two free ends of the soft tissue replacement are affixed to the bone completing the implantation of a soft tissue replacement.

The present invention provides engineered tissue scaffolds, engineered tissues, and methods of using them. The scaffolds and tissues are derived from natural tissues and are created using non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE). Use of IRE allows for ablation of cells of the tissue to be treated, but allows vascular and neural structures to remain essentially unharmed. Use of IRE thus permits preparation of thick tissue scaffolds and tissues due to the presence of vasculature within the scaffolds. The engineered tissues can be used in methods of treating subjects, such as those in need of tissue replacement or augmentation.

The bioabsorbable implant described has a porous body formed of bioabsorbable materials that have an in vivo life span of at least 2 weeks, preferably at least three weeks and not greater than 20 weeks, preferably no greater than ten weeks. The implant has a scaffolding structure which facilitates tissue in-growth and ultimately tissue replacement of the scaffolding structure. The implant has a radiopaque imaging agent at least at the exterior margins and an orientation plurality of radiopaque elements in the interior of implant. The implant preferably has three radiopaque elements within the interior that form a plane within the implant interior.

Method of differentiating ex vivo expanded stem cells in-tissue anti in vivo are provided. Also provided are method of treating individuals suffering from a disorder necessitating cell replacement or tissue replacement therapy using ex vivo expanded stem cells.

The present invention relates a method for isolating four cell types from a single umbilical cord as pure cultures. These cell lines (epithelial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells) can be characterised and utilised in experimental models and for therapeutic purposes. Particularly, the umbilical cells isolated herein are used to form a tissue replacement or engineered living composition. Also, the isolated umbilical cells of the invention may have the potential of progenitor cells.

The present invention is related to hydrogel particles and aggregates formed therefrom having characteristics including, without limitation, shape-retentiveness, elasticity, controllable pore sizes and controllable degradation rates that render them useful for a wide variety of applications including, without limitation, the controlled release of biologically active substances, in vivo medical devices, tissue growth scaffolding and tissue replacement.

The present invention includes tailored fiber-reinforced hydrogel composites for implantation into a subject. The present invention also includes systems and methods for controlling the relative percent volume of the hydrogel and fibers, cross-linking, fiber orientation, weave and density, such that the material properties of the composite can be controlled and / or customized to match particular tissue types. The composites of the present invention are suitable for repairing or replacing musculoskeletal tissues and / or fibrocartilage, such as the meniscus, ligaments and tendons.

The present invention relates to hydrogels comprising a plurality of amphiphilic peptides and / or peptoids capable of self-assembling into three-dimensional macromolecular nanofibrous networks, which entrap water and form said hydrogels, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of amphiphilic peptides and / or peptoids is chemically cross-linked. The present invention further relates to methods for preparing such hydrogels and to various uses of such hydrogels, e.g. as cell culture substrates, for drug and gene delivery, as wound dressing, as an implant, as an injectable agent that gels in situ, in pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions, in regenerative medicine, in tissue engineering and tissue regeneration, or in electronic devices. It also relates to a method of tissue regeneration or tissue replacement using a hydrogel in accordance with the present invention.

Cells grown on a microcarrier are separated from the microcarrier by enzymatically digesting the microcarrier. More specifically, chondrocytes may be grown on dextran microcarrier beadlets and then the beadlets digested using dextranase to separate the chondrocytes from the carrier. Cells can also be grown on chitosan microcarriers to be used for implantation. In addition, cells can be grown on polysaccharide polymers to be used as implant devices. Various polymers serve as scaffolds for cells to be used for implantation. The polymers can be used for cell culture as well as for preparing scaffolds useful for tissue replacement such as cartilage tissue.

This invention relates to a bioactive artificial sintered composition for providing a morphology capable of consistently supporting bone cell activity thereon. The composition comprises stabilized calcium phosphate phases developed by the conversion of a hydroxyapatite substance in the presence of stabilizing entities at sintering temperatures into insolubilized and stabilized tricalcium phosphate. The present invention has numerous applications in medical diagnostics for the assessment of abnormal bone cell activity as well as for medical therapeutics, including bone and dental tissue replacement and repair as well as for ex vivo bone graft tissue engineering.

Disclosed is a cell sheet for tissue repair and bio-artificial tissue engineering. The cell sheet comprises treated stem cell embedded in its self-secreted extracellular matrix (ECM) and formed a cell sheet. The cell sheet is formed by isolating the stem cell, expanding the stem cell and treating the stem cell with biological factors or factors leading to the production of biological factors, to induce its differentiation, production of extracellular matrix and formation of a cell sheet in vitro. The cell sheet is used as a bioactive material or as an acellular material for the promotion of tissue repairs or used to form a bio-artificial organ for tissue replacement. The cell sheet of the present invention eliminates the need to use scaffolds for cell delivery. The cell sheet facilitates in vivo cell transplantation and provides some tensile mechanical strength for bearing early mechanical load during tissue repair.