The present application relates to use of transglutaminases to treat various tissue matrix products. The methods can include application of a transglutaminase to a partially denatured collagen-containing tissue matrix and implantation of the tissue matrix. The transglutaminase can facilitate adhesion with another collagen-containing tissue matrix, tissue surrounding the tissue matrix after implantation, or both.

A pre-loadable biological heart valve capable of rapid rehydration and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method comprises a cross-linking treatment, wherein a biological valve is cross-linked by soaking in an aqueous glutaraldehyde solution; a hydrophilic treatment, wherein the biological valve is soaked in a solution containing a hydrophilic molecule and a condensing agent, to allow the hydrophilic molecule to be immobilized on the biological valve by chemical grafting; and a drying treatment, wherein the biological valve after the hydrophilic treatment and the cross-linking treatment is dried to obtain a pre-loadable biological heart valve capable of rapid rehydration. The pre-loadable biological heart valve prepared by the preparation method of the present disclosure achieves rapid rehydration, and the crease can be quickly flattened after rehydration, bringing convenience during use.

An implant, preferably for treating and/or reconstructing, in particular lining and/or sealing and/or relining and/or at least partially filling an acetabular defect, having at least one flat structure which contains a material that is at least partially decomposable or resorbable in vivo. The invention further relates to a surgical kit and the use of an unfinished flat structure for producing an implant.

A pre-loadable dried biological heart valve and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method includes: Step A: soaking a fresh animal pericardium in an aqueous solution of soluble elastin or glycosaminoglycan, and then subjecting the pericardium to a first cross-linking reaction in a mixed solution of carbodiimide or N-hydroxysuccinimide to allow the soluble elastin or glycosaminoglycan to bind to the pericardium via a chemical bond; and Step B: subjecting the pericardium after the first cross-linking to a second cross-linking reaction in an aqueous glutaraldehyde solution, and then drying the pericardium after the second cross-linking, to obtain the pre-loadable dried biological heart valve. The dried biological heart valve obtained by the above preparation method has good toughness, and is rapidly flattened out in a simulated folding and pressing test.

This invention relates to the design and function of a compressible valve replacement prosthesis, collared or uncollared, which can be deployed into a beating heart without extracorporeal circulation using a transcatheter delivery system. The design as discussed focuses on the deployment of a device via a minimally invasive fashion and by way of example considers a minimally invasive surgical procedure preferably utilizing the intercostal or subxyphoid space for valve introduction. In order to accomplish this, the valve is formed in such a manner that it can be compressed to fit within a delivery system and secondarily ejected from the delivery system into the annulus of a target valve such as a mitral valve or tricuspid valve.

This invention relates to the design and function of a compressible valve replacement prosthesis, collared or uncollared, which can be deployed into a beating heart without extracorporeal circulation using a transcatheter delivery system. The design as discussed focuses on the deployment of a device via a minimally invasive fashion and by way of example considers a minimally invasive surgical procedure preferably utilizing the intercostal or subxyphoid space for valve introduction. In order to accomplish this, the valve is formed in such a manner that it can be compressed to fit within a delivery system and secondarily ejected from the delivery system into the annulus of a target valve such as a mitral valve or tricuspid valve.

A contoured biological tissue for a bioprostheses, such as a cardiac/vascular patch or a bioprosthetic heart valve, and methods of contouring the tissue, are described. A predetermined pattern is provided on the tissue, comprising a plurality of ridges or depressions that are configured to facilitate cellular migration in a first direction and discourage cellular migration in a second direction. The biological tissue can be used in connection with a bioprosthetic heart valve comprising a biological tissue leaflet structure coupled to a supporting frame.

A method or apparatus for creating a three-dimensional tissue construct of a desired shape for repair or replacement of a portion of an organism. The method may comprise injecting at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The apparatus may comprise an injector configured to inject at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which may be a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The tissue construct may have a smallest feature size of ten micrometers or less.

In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a prosthetic heart valve can comprise providing a piece of pericardial tissue comprising a fibrous parietal layer and a serous parietal layer. The method can further comprise reducing the thickness of the piece of pericardial tissue by removing a portion of the serous parietal layer, the fibrous parietal layer defining a first surface of the piece of pericardial tissue and the serous parietal layer defining a second surface of the piece of pericardial tissue. The method can further comprise positioning the pericardial tissue around an outer surface of a frame of the prosthetic heart valve and securing it thereto such that the first surface is facing away from the frame and the second surface is facing towards the frame.

The present invention concerns a prosthetic heart valve for supporting or replacing a non- or malfunctioning native heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve comprising an expandable generally tubular stent support, having an inner surface and an outer surface, and comprising a valve element, having an outer surface, an inner surface, and comprising a plurality of sealing elements, wherein the sealing elements are—spaced apart from one another—circumferentially attached to the outer surface of the valve element and form a lip-shaped element radially protruding from the outer surface of the valve element, wherein the valve element is mounted on the inner surface of the stent support.