Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing of a nerve conduit using bio-printing technology and a nerve conduit prepared by the same, and it can easily prepare a nerve conduit by simulating a nerve bundle and nerve tissue, and the like, by three-dimensionally printing bio-ink comprising a neuronal regeneration material on one side of a porous polymer scaffold.

Methods for treating damaged cardiac tissue by delivering biological formulations proximate the pericardial space of a mammalian heart that (i) enhance and supplement the properties provided by the GATA6.sup.+ macrophages in the serous fluid and/or (ii) restore, enhance and supplement the properties provided by the GATA6.sup.+ macrophages when the pericardial space is breached and the serous fluid is expelled.

Hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels, solutions for preparing such, and methods pertaining thereunto are disclosed with properties that include self-resorption, extended release of biologically active agents, and/or decreased degradation, denaturation, and/or functional inactivation of biologically active agents.

Provided are methods for preparing non-gelling, solubilized extracellular matrix (ECM) materials useful as cell growth substrates. Also provided are compositions prepared according to the methods as well as uses for the compositions. In one embodiment a device, such as a prosthesis, is provided which comprises an inorganic matrix into which the non-gelling, solubilized ECM composition is dispersed to facilitate in-growth of cells into the ECM and thus adaptation and/or attachment of the device to a patient. In another embodiment, the composition is delivered intraarticularly, intrathecally, intraoccularly, intracranially, and into pleural space.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating strictures in body lumens and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent.

Apparatuses and methods for producing enriched fibrillated tissue matrices are disclosed herein. Some embodiments include a method including subjecting tissue in a carrier liquid to a fibrillation pressure while maintaining a temperature of the tissue and the carrier liquid to at or below a safe zone temperature; inducing a phasic shift and rapid release of water and biological components from the tissue through a disruptive boil and tissue explosion process to produce a fibrillated tissue matrix; and recapturing the water and biological components.

Methods for the ex vivo modification of the surfaces of viable tissue result in tissue modifications that are stable and/or result in the controlled release of active compounds, and are expected to provide effective protection for transplanted tissue subsequent to transplant.

[Object]

The present invention is intended to provide a urethral stricture treatment agent and a urethral stricture treatment method capable of avoiding restenosis by a less invasive transurethral endoscopic procedure in urethral stricture treatment.

[Solution]

A urethral stricture treatment agent including at least a hydrogel-forming polymer, and having a storage elastic modulus of 50 Pa or less at 10 C. and a storage elastic modulus of 100 Pa or more at 37 C.

A urethral stricture treatment method at least including injecting the urethral stricture treatment agent cooled to 10 C. or lower into an inner surface of urethra which has been incised with a transurethral endoscopic procedure, and holding the urethral stricture treatment agent in the inner surface of urethra at a temperature not lower than a room temperature.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating strictures in body lumens and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent.