The subject invention is directed to devices and methods for producing devices for regulating blood flow in the venous system. In particular, the invention provides for artificial valves designed to regulate the flow of blood in human vessels, wherein such artificial valves include superior properties including fatigue resistance, biocompatibility, and ease of manufacture.

Thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in a prosthetic valve for regulating blood flow direction. In one aspect, the leaflet material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The leaflet material includes a coherent single layer and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is present in the pores of the porous coherent single layer.

Thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in a prosthetic valve for regulating blood flow direction. In one aspect, the leaflet material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The leaflet material includes a coherent single layer and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is present in the pores of the porous coherent single layer.

Thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in a prosthetic valve for regulating blood flow direction. In one aspect, the leaflet material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The leaflet material includes a coherent single layer and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is present in the pores of the porous coherent single layer.

Provided are hybrid biomaterials comprising one or more layers of cross-linked poly(propylene fumarate) and/or cross-linked copolymer comprising a plurality of cross-linked propylene fumarate moieties. The layers may further comprise a plurality of microparticles, a plurality of micropores, or both a plurality of microparticles and a plurality of micropores encapsulated within the cross-linked poly(propylene fumarate) and/or cross-linked copolymer comprising a plurality of cross-linked propylene fumarate moieties. One of the layers is disposed on a compliant matrix dense tissue substrate (e.g., a pericardium tissue substrate). The hybrid biomaterials can be used, for example, in method of repairing tissue defects.

Provided are hybrid biomaterials comprising one or more layers of cross-linked poly(propylene fumarate) and/or cross-linked copolymer comprising a plurality of cross-linked propylene fumarate moieties. The layers may further comprise a plurality of microparticles, a plurality of micropores, or both a plurality of microparticles and a plurality of micropores encapsulated within the cross-linked poly(propylene fumarate) and/or cross-linked copolymer comprising a plurality of cross-linked propylene fumarate moieties. One of the layers is disposed on a compliant matrix dense tissue substrate (e.g., a pericardium tissue substrate). The hybrid biomaterials can be used, for example, in method of repairing tissue defects.

Provided are hybrid biomaterials comprising one or more layers of cross-linked poly(propylene fumarate) and/or cross-linked copolymer comprising a plurality of cross-linked propylene fumarate moieties. The layers may further comprise a plurality of microparticles, a plurality of micropores, or both a plurality of microparticles and a plurality of micropores encapsulated within the cross-linked poly(propylene fumarate) and/or cross-linked copolymer comprising a plurality of cross-linked propylene fumarate moieties. One of the layers is disposed on a compliant matrix dense tissue substrate (e.g., a pericardium tissue substrate). The hybrid biomaterials can be used, for example, in method of repairing tissue defects.

A method of treating a spinal disk according to the present invention can include inserting an alloplastic bulking agent into the spinal disk to treat the defect. The alloplastic bulking agent has a plurality of microparticles and a suspending agent comprising hyaluronic acid. The bulking agent results in at least one of sealing the defect, increasing a pressure of the disk, increasing a height of the disk, improving stability of the disk and improving structural integrity of the disk.

A method of treating a spinal disk according to the present invention can include inserting an alloplastic bulking agent into the spinal disk to treat the defect. The alloplastic bulking agent has a plurality of microparticles and a suspending agent comprising hyaluronic acid. The bulking agent results in at least one of sealing the defect, increasing a pressure of the disk, increasing a height of the disk, improving stability of the disk and improving structural integrity of the disk.

A longitudinal extending body with oriented fibers comprised of an organic compound, preferably cellulose fibers, with a hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymer having absorbable and non res sorbable qualities in the body, with an internal construction to promote cell growth. The longitudinal body has at least one wall having oriented fiber to include cellulose fiber extending the length of said body. This extending body has a surface that is smooth to the touch for additional processing methods such as machining, compression molding and 3 D printing.