Current approaches in small diameter vascular grafts for coronary artery bypass surgeries fail to address physiological variations along the graft that contribute to thrombus formation and ultimately graft failure. An interlayer drug delivery system can sustain delivery of heparin through the graft with a high degree of temporal and spatial control. A heparin-loaded gelatin methacrylate interlayer sits between a biohybrid composed of decellularized bovine pericardium and poly(propylene fumarate) and UV crosslinking is controlled via 3D printed shadow masks. The masks enable control of the resultant gelMA crosslinking and properties by modulating the incident light intensity on the graft. High doses of heparin have detrimental effects on endothelial cell function. When exposed to heparin in a slower, more sustained manner consistent with the masks, endothelial cells behave similarly to untreated cells. Slower release profiles cause significantly more release of tissue factor pathway inhibitor, an anticoagulant, than a faster release profile.

The present disclosure relates to methods of preparing personalized blood vessels, useful for transplantation with improved host compatibility and reduced susceptibility to thrombosis. Also provided are personalized blood vessels produced by the methods and use thereof in surgery.

An apparatus for harvesting a subcutaneous blood vessel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a guidewire with an angled tip, an intra-vascular catheter to receive the guidewire and having a lateral orifice to allow the angled tip thereof to perforate the subcutaneous blood vessel. The apparatus further comprises a flexible pulling device having a pair of circumferential grooves, one adjacent to each end thereof, to allow for securing the subcutaneous blood vessel thereat; and a flexible pushing device having a concave-cup shape at a distal end thereof to facilitate pushing of the subcutaneous blood vessel secured with one of the pair of circumferential grooves of the flexible pulling device. The flexible pulling device and the flexible pushing device are operable in conjunction to cause inversion and eversion and separation from the surrounding tissues of the subcutaneous blood vessel for removal and harvesting thereof.

In one embodiment, an implantable prosthetic valve can comprise an annular frame comprising an inflow end and an outflow end and being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, and a leaflet structure positioned within the frame and secured thereto. The prosthetic valve can further comprise an outer skirt positioned around an outer surface of the frame, the outer skirt comprising pericardial tissue having a fibrous parietal layer defining a first surface of the outer skirt and a serous parietal layer defining a second surface of the outer skirt, the pericardial tissue having been fixed by cross-linking.

A sheet of biological tissue which includes on at least one side tapered edge portion thinning down in the thickness direction, towards an end thereof, a tubular structure obtained from the sheet, and an artificial blood vessel made up of the tubular structure are provided.

Skeletonized blood vessels for use as vascular grafts are protected from biomechanical injury and/or certain cellular and extracellular changes by application of a biocompatible hydrogel to the vessel exterior. The hydrogel may be applied to the vessel graft before or after harvesting from a donor patient.

The present invention provides novel compositions comprising multipotent cells or microvascular tissue, wherein the cells or tissue has been sterilized and/or treated to inactivated viruses, and related methods of using these compositions to treat or prevent tissue injury or disease in an allogeneic subject.

The growth factor profile, connective tissue matrix constituents, and immunoprivileged status of urodele extracellular matrix (ECM) and accompanying cutaneous tissue, plus the presence of antimicrobial peptides there, render urodele-derived tissue an ideal source for biological scaffolds for xenotransplantation. In particular, a biological scaffold biomaterial can be obtained by a process that entails (A) obtaining a tissue sample from a urodele, where the tissue comprises ECM, inclusive of the basement membrane, and (B) subjecting the tissue sample to a decellularization process that maintains the structural and functional integrity of the extracellular matrix, by virtue of retaining its fibrous and on-fibrous proteins, glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans, while removing sufficient cellular components of the sample to reduce or eliminate antigenicity and immunogenicity for xenograft purposes. The resultant urodele-derived biomaterial can be used to enhance restoration of skin homeostasis, to reduce the severity, durations and associated damage caused by post-surgical inflammation, and to promote progression of natural healing and regeneration processes. In addition, the biomaterial promotes the formation of remodeled tissue that is comparable in quality, function, and compliance to undamaged human tissue.

A replacement mitral valve prosthesis includes a support structure and a valve body having three flexible leaflets. The support structure preferably includes an internal valve frame and an external sealing frame. The valve frame supports the flexible leaflets. The sealing frame is adapted to conform to the shape of the native mitral valve annulus. The sealing frame may be coupled to an inlet end of the valve frame, an outlet end of the valve frame, or both. A plurality of anchors is coupled to the outlet end of the valve frame. The anchors extend radially outwardly for placement behind native leaflets. The prosthesis preferably includes a skirt disposed along an exterior of the external sealing frame. The prosthesis is collapsible for delivery into the heart via a delivery catheter. The prosthesis is configured to self-expand for deployment in the heart when released from the delivery catheter.

Biomaterials for tissue regeneration and engineering applications and methods of making and use thereof are described, as well as constructs and kits derived from the biomaterials. The biomaterials can be derived from extracellular matrix and functionalized to make them crosslinkable and amenable to tuning of their material properties.