Engineered tissue compositions for supporting cell growth, maintenance, and/or differentiation featuring a scaffold, extracellular matrix (ECM) material, and optionally a population of ECM-generating cells such as fibroblasts. The tissue compositions may be used for supporting seeded cells of a particular cell type of interest such as cells related to skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, cardiac tissue, gastrointestinal tissue, etc. The tissue compositions with seeded cells may develop into functional tissues, which may have the potential to provide a tissue graft for therapeutic purposes or a valuable model for in vitro assays.

Prosthetic heart valves having a conical shaped base valve structure formed from collagenous mammalian tissue. The base valve structure includes a plurality of elongated ribbon members that are positioned proximate each other in a joined relationship, wherein the elongated ribbon members are positioned adjacent each other and form a plurality of fluid flow modulating regions that open when fluid into and through the base valve structure exhibits a positive pressure relative to the exterior pressure, i.e., a positive pressure differential, wherein the fluid is allowed to be transmitted out of the base valve structure, and transition to a closed configuration when the pressure differential between the interior valve pressure and exterior pressure reduces, wherein the fluid is restricted from flowing out of the base valve structure.

The present invention provides a method for preparing an artificial heart valve leaflet, comprising freezing an animal tissue membrane and processing the frozen animal tissue membrane so as to reach a preset thickness. The method, by processing the frozen animal tissue membrane, can conveniently obtain an artificial heart valve leaflet with a required thickness and increase the yield of the animal tissue membrane valve leaflet.

The present invention relates to preparation and use of nanocellulose fibrils or crystals such as disintegrated bacterial nanocellulose, tunicate-derived nanocellulose, or plant-derived nanocellulose, together with carbon nanotubes, as a biocompatible and conductive ink for 3D printing of electrically conductive patterns. Biocompatible conductive bioinks described in this invention were printed in the form of connected lines onto wet or dried nanocellulose films, bacterial cellulose membrane, or tunicate decellularized tissue. The devices were biocompatible and showed excellent mechanical properties and good electrical conductivity through printed lines (3.8.Math.10.sup.1 S cm.sup.1). Such scaffolds were used to culture neural cells. Neural cells attached selectively on the printed pattern and formed connective networks. The devices prepared by this invention are suited as bioassays to screen drugs against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, study brain function, and/or be used to link the human brain with electronic and/or communication devices. They can also be implanted to replace neural tissue or stimulate guiding of neural cells. They can also be used to stimulate the heart by using electrical signaling or to repair myocardial infarction and/or damage related thereto.

The present invention relates to a bio-link composition having improved physical and biological properties and, more specifically to a bio-link composition, which exhibits, through a combination of specific contents of components, high viscosity, strong shear-thinning tendencies, formations of fast cross linkages, and appropriate mechanical properties after printing. The bio-ink composition of the present invention is capable of being used very usefully in the preparation of three-dimensional bio-printed tissue-like organs and internal transplantable tissue structures.

A method of treating pericardial tissue that includes contacting at least a portion of a pericardial sac with a chemical while the pericardial sac is tensioned by an application of fluid pressure to an inside face of the pericardial sac.

The present invention provides methods for cellular seeding onto three-dimensional fibroblast constructs, three-dimensional fibroblast constructs seeded with muscle cells, and uses therefore.

Tissue compositions and methods of preparation thereof are provided. The tissue compositions can be used to treat or regenerate muscle tissue. The compositions can be configured to provide increased strength compared to other muscle matrices.

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.

ECM based compositions including acellular ECM and antibiotics, and methods for employing same to treat damaged cardiovascular tissue and, thereby, disorders.