The apparatuses and methods described herein relates generally to the field of active agent (drug) release from surgical grafts useful for soft tissue reconstruction, regeneration, or repair. More particularly, described herein are surgical grafts for soft tissue repair that include active agent that is released over time while advantageously matching the biomechanical properties of tissue during healing and recovery.

The apparatuses and methods described herein relates generally to the field of active agent (drug) release from surgical grafts useful for soft tissue reconstruction, regeneration, or repair. More particularly, described herein are surgical grafts for soft tissue repair that include active agent that is released over time while advantageously matching the biomechanical properties of tissue during healing and recovery.

There is disclosed a collagen construct comprising a plurality of elongate strips, wherein each strip contains a plurality of collagen fibres that are substantially aligned along the length of the respective strips, and the strips are braided or woven together to produce a collagen construct in the form of a rope that can be used for replacing tendons or ligaments, such as cruciate ligaments. Also disclosed is a method for making or producing the collagen construct from a collagen membrane having a plurality of collagen fibres being substantially aligned parallel to each other in a common direction. The membrane is cut along cut lines that are orientated substantially parallel to that common direction, thereby to separate elongate strips from the membrane. The strips are then braided or woven together to form the collagen construct.

There is disclosed a collagen construct comprising a plurality of elongate strips, wherein each strip contains a plurality of collagen fibres that are substantially aligned along the length of the respective strips, and the strips are braided or woven together to produce a collagen construct in the form of a rope that can be used for replacing tendons or ligaments, such as cruciate ligaments. Also disclosed is a method for making or producing the collagen construct from a collagen membrane having a plurality of collagen fibres being substantially aligned parallel to each other in a common direction. The membrane is cut along cut lines that are orientated substantially parallel to that common direction, thereby to separate elongate strips from the membrane. The strips are then braided or woven together to form the collagen construct.

Proived herein are derivatized or rapidly polymerizing collagen compositions for tissue augmentation containing non-resorbable or slowly resorbable polymers. Also provided are methods for the preparation of the compositions, and methods for augmenting soft tissue utilizing the compositions.

Disclosed herein are methods of producing a cartilaginous implant by producing a polymer scaffold composition by electrospinning a polymer solution onto a collector in order to obtain polymer fibers; crosslinking the polymer fibers; and adding a plurality of cells to the polymer scaffold composition, wherein the plurality of cells comprises cartilaginous cells to form a cartilaginous implant.

Disclosed herein are methods of producing a cartilaginous implant by producing a polymer scaffold composition by electrospinning a polymer solution onto a collector in order to obtain polymer fibers; crosslinking the polymer fibers; and adding a plurality of cells to the polymer scaffold composition, wherein the plurality of cells comprises cartilaginous cells to form a cartilaginous implant.

Methods of bioprinting a bio-ink construct on an internal tissue defect or a chondral defect during a minimally invasive surgery on an individual in need thereof are provided, comprising: visualizing the defect; positioning a bioprinter comprising a printhead within proximity of or in contact with the defect; and ejecting a bio-ink from the printhead onto the defect to form a bio-ink layer, thereby generating a bio-ink construct. Further provided are systems for bioprinting a bio-ink construct on an internal tissue defect during a minimally invasive surgery on an individual in need thereof, comprising a control system, an endoscope, and a bioprinter comprising a printhead.

Methods of bioprinting a bio-ink construct on an internal tissue defect or a chondral defect during a minimally invasive surgery on an individual in need thereof are provided, comprising: visualizing the defect; positioning a bioprinter comprising a printhead within proximity of or in contact with the defect; and ejecting a bio-ink from the printhead onto the defect to form a bio-ink layer, thereby generating a bio-ink construct. Further provided are systems for bioprinting a bio-ink construct on an internal tissue defect during a minimally invasive surgery on an individual in need thereof, comprising a control system, an endoscope, and a bioprinter comprising a printhead.

A method of acoustophoretic printing comprises generating an acoustic field at a first end of an acoustic chamber fully or partially enclosed by sound-reflecting walls. The acoustic field interacts with the sound-reflecting walls and travels through the acoustic chamber. The acoustic field is enhanced in a chamber outlet at a second end of the acoustic chamber. An ink is delivered into a nozzle positioned within the acoustic chamber. The nozzle has a nozzle opening projecting into the chamber outlet. The ink travels through the nozzle and is exposed to the enhanced acoustic field at the nozzle opening, and a predetermined volume of the ink is ejected from the nozzle opening and out of the acoustic chamber.