Described herein are methods of preparing human amniotic membrane tissue grafts derived from the placenta. The grafts are composed of three layers as seen in the amniotic membrane in utero. These grafts are processed using physiologic solutions, lyophilized and terminal sterilized (via gamma irradiation in a frozen state) that thereby preserves the graft in such a manner as to retain the naturally occurring biological properties of the amniotic membrane and offer a sterile graft for transplantation. By dehydration via lyophilization and terminal sterilization in a frozen state, the graft has the advantage of storage at ambient temperatures for prolonged periods of time prior to transplantation.

A three-dimensional fabric structure in a form of a pocket for use in a breast reconstruction surgical procedure such as single-stage or two-stage breast reconstruction. The silk scaffold employs a knit pattern that substantially prevents unraveling and preserves the stability of the mesh or scaffold device, especially when the mesh or scaffold device is cut. An example scaffold device employs a knitted mesh including at least two yarns laid in a knit direction and engaging each other to define a plurality of nodes.

A method of preparing a reconstitutable implantable bone putty includes combining a bone matrix derived from human bone and gelatin particulates derived from human tissue at a concentration of the bone matrix by dry weight of 20 to 60 percent to form the reconstitutable implantable bone putty. Preparing the gelatin particulates includes supplying a gelatin precursor of bone or soft tissue from a human, treating the gelatin precursor with phosphoric acid to generate a gelatin-acid mixture, neutralizing the gelatin-acid mixture with an alkali to a pH between 6 and 8 to allow a gelatin-rich solution and a waste solution to separate, removing residual salts from the gelatin-rich solution to obtain purified gelatin, drying the purified gelatin, and reducing the purified gelatin to particulates having a largest dimension less than 300 μm. A method of preparing an implantable bone putty includes adding a reconstitution media to the reconstitutable implantable bone putty.

An antimicrobial polymer for use in contact lenses includes at least one antimicrobial monomer; and at least one other monomer selected from an acrylic monomer, a hydrophobic acrylic monomer, a hydrophilic acrylic monomer, a vinyl monomer and/or a collagen monomer.

A method for manufacturing a cardiac valve prosthesis is disclosed. This method comprises the following steps: a) shaping human or animal body tissue in a shaping process to give the body tissue a shape of a cardiac valve, and b) fixation and stabilization of the body tissue by a cross-linking agent, thereby preserving the shape given to the body tissue by the shaping process and thus obtaining a cardiac valve prosthesis. Furthermore, a method of implanting an autologous or allogenic cardiac valve prosthesis to an individual in need thereof is disclosed.

The present invention features a neural organoid that recapitulates in vitro most characteristics of the brain (e.g., human), and methods of using this neural organoid to study disease and to identify therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurological diseases and disorders.

Compositions and methods of transplanting cells by grafting strategies into solid organs (especially internal organs) are provided. These methods and compositions can be used to repair diseased organs or to establish models of disease states in experimental hosts. The method involves attachment onto the surface of a tissue or organ, a patch graft, a “bandaid-like” covering, containing epithelial cells with supporting early lineage stage mesenchymal cells. The cells are incorporated into soft gel-forming biomaterials prepared under serum-free, defined conditions comprised of nutrients, lipids, vitamins, and regulatory signals that collectively support stemness of the donor cells. The graft is covered with a biodegradable, biocompatible, bioresorbable backing used to affix the graft to the target site. The cells in the graft migrate into and throughout the tissue such that within a couple of weeks they are uniformly dispersed within the recipient (host) tissue. The mechanisms by which engraftment and integration of donor cells into the organ or tissue involve multiple membrane-associated and secreted forms of MMPs.

A method for preparing tissue, in particular pericardial tissue, in particular for a heart valve prosthesis, the method including: decellularizing the tissue; subjecting the decellularized tissue to a cross-linking solution including glutaraldehyde; subjecting the tissue to a shape- and structure-stabilizing step, in which the tissue is exposed to a first solution containing glycerol and is exposed to a second solution containing polyethylene glycol; and drying the tissue after the shape- and structure-stabilizing step.

The present invention provides for a liver tissue model construct composed of biomaterials and cells, to be used for scientific research within in the 3D liver tissue modelling field. The applications of said tissue model construct can be specific for pharmaceutical evaluations and/or discoveries, regenerative medicine investigations, tissue engineering developments, and liver physiology and/or pathology.

Compositions comprising perforated, unseparated amnion/chorion; perforated, separated amnion; and perforated, separated chorion derived from the placenta and methods of preparing and using those compositions are provided. Perforation of placental tissue before or during processing may allow for one or more benefits such as more efficient removal of blood remnants, retention of wound healing and tissue regeneration components, better handling characteristics, or improved healing capacity. The present invention also includes methods of healing a wound of the skin, eye, nerve, tendon, or dura comprising applying the perforated compositions of the invention to the wound.