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

A biocompatible scaffold construct may include a biocompatible hydrogel and at least one biomaterial microfiber strand wound to form a plurality of microfiber segments in proximity to one another and arranged in an organized configuration.

A biocompatible scaffold construct includes a plurality of collagen fiber strands, a first portion of which have been coated by a first biocompatible solution and, optionally, a second portion of which have been coated by a second biocompatible solution different than the first biocompatible solution. The coatings may include cells. And the scaffold is constructed on rotating frame collectors.

The present disclosure is directed to a degradable 3D-printable scaffold for use in tissue engineering, which scaffold has a combined gradient and staggered structure. Further provided is a medical device for use in tissue engineering, comprising such a scaffold. The present disclosure also provides a method for preparing a scaffold by additive manufacturing, e.g. 3D-printing, a method for in vivo tissue engineering, use of the scaffold in an in vitro cell culture system, in an in vitro method for culturing of cells and/or in an in vitro method for regenerating tissue. Also provided is a scaffold and a medical device for use in a method for in vivo tissue engineering. Further disclosed is a novel degradable copolymer of ε-caprolactone and p-dioxanone, which can be printed without degradation and which is particularly suitable for use as scaffold material in the scaffold and method according to the present disclosure.

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

The present disclosure provides methods of bioengineering sphincters having autologous smooth muscle cells isolated from human internal anal sphincter and autologous enteric neurospheres (neural progenitor cells) isolated from human small intestine (jejunum). The isolated neural progenitor cells and smooth muscle cells are co -cultured using dual layered hydrogels and allowed to form circular, intrinsically innervated internal anal sphincter constructs. Such innervated internal anal sphincter constructs, bioengineered internal anal sphincter constructs are useful as additive implants in the treatment of fecal incontinence.

Provided is a tissue gel for transplantation and a method of preparing the same, including: a process (a) of preparing a composition containing a decellularized extracellular matrix; a process (b) of maintaining a tensile state by applying a tensile force to a stretching device made of an elastic polymer material; and a process (c) of injecting the composition prepared in the process (a) into the stretching device maintained in the tensile state in the process (b), allowing the composition to crosslink, and then removing the tensile force to align fibrils in the decellularized extracellular matrix in one direction.

Sheet structures for regenerating damaged or diseased mammalian tissue that are formed from acellular dermal mammalian tissue. The acellular dermal mammalian tissue includes extracellular matrix (ECM) and a supplemental bioactive component. The supplemental bioactive component can comprise a nucleic acid, such as RNA, and/or a cell, such as an embryonic stem cell. The sheet structures induce angiogenesis and, thereby, regeneration of new mammalian tissue.

Described herein are compositions comprising decellularized extracellular matrix derived from skeletal muscle or other suitable tissue, and therapeutic uses thereof. Methods for treating, repairing or regenerating defective, diseased, damage, ischemic, ulcer cells, tissues or organs in a subject preferably a human, with diseases associated with muscular degeneration, using a decellularized extracellular matrix of the invention are provided. Methods of preparing culture surfaces and culturing cells with absorbed decellularized extracellular matrix are provided.

Artificial heart valve structures and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. The heart valve structures may be fabricated from a biocompatible polymer and include one or more heart valve leaflet structures incorporated within a conduit. The valve structures may incorporate one or more conduit sinuses, as well as a gap between the lower margin of the valve leaflets and the interior of the conduit. In addition, the valve structures may include one or more valve sinuses created in a space between the valve leaflets and the conduit inner surface. Computational fluid dynamics and mechanical modeling may be used to design the valve leaflets with optimal characteristics. A heart valve structure may also incorporate a biodegradable component to which cells may adhere. The incorporated cells may arise from patient cells migrating to the biodegradable component, or the component may be pre-seeded with cells prior to implantation in a patient.