A prosthetic device for use as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device restores shock absorption, stability, and function to the knee joint after removal of the damaged natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the prosthetic device is pre-tensioned to improve the fit of the prosthetic device within the knee joint and, thereby, maximize the contact area of the load-bearing surfaces to distribute loading through the prosthetic device in a manner substantially similar to that of a healthy natural meniscus. In some embodiments, the pre-tensioned prosthetic device is smaller, or scaled-down, relative to the size of a healthy natural meniscus.

The present disclosure provides tissue products produced from extracellular tissue matrices. The tissue products can include acellular extracellular matrices including combinations of different tissue types. The combination can harness various properties of the different tissues to provide improved composite structures with desired mechanical and/or biologic properties.

The present disclosure provides tissue products produced from extracellular tissue matrices. The tissue products can include acellular extracellular matrices including combinations of different tissue types. The combination can harness various properties of the different tissues to provide improved composite structures with desired mechanical and/or biologic properties.

The present invention provides an artificial skin and a preparation method thereof. The present invention takes the xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix particles as main materials, and obtains the dermis layer by three-dimensional printing technologies, and then obtains the artificial skin by combining the epidermis layer with the dermis layer. The dermis layer of artificial skin in present invention has three-dimensional porous structure, which retains main components of natural dermal matrix in composition, and imitates distributed structure at fiber bundle diameter and pore size of natural dermal matrix in structure. This kind of novel biomimetic dermal scaffolds have obvious advantages in inducing migration and regeneration of skin cells, accelerating vascularization, promoting wound healing and improving healing quality. The dermis layer of artificial skin in present invention is obtained by three-dimensional printing technologies, which has precise and controllable structure, simple preparation method and high products qualification rate.

A composition containing biocompatible hydrogel encapsulating mammalian cells and anti-inflammatory drugs is disclosed. The encapsulated cells have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. The compositions contain a biocompatible hydrogel having encapsulated therein mammalian cells and anti-inflammatory drugs or polymeric particles loaded with anti-inflammatory drugs. The anti-inflammatory drugs are released from the composition after transplantation in an amount effective to inhibit fibrosis of the composition for at least ten days. Methods for identifying and selecting suitable anti-inflammatory drug-loaded particles to prevent fibrosis of encapsulated cells are also described. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject.

A composition containing biocompatible hydrogel encapsulating mammalian cells and anti-inflammatory drugs is disclosed. The encapsulated cells have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. The compositions contain a biocompatible hydrogel having encapsulated therein mammalian cells and anti-inflammatory drugs or polymeric particles loaded with anti-inflammatory drugs. The anti-inflammatory drugs are released from the composition after transplantation in an amount effective to inhibit fibrosis of the composition for at least ten days. Methods for identifying and selecting suitable anti-inflammatory drug-loaded particles to prevent fibrosis of encapsulated cells are also described. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject.

A composition containing biocompatible hydrogel encapsulating mammalian cells and anti-inflammatory drugs is disclosed. The encapsulated cells have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. The compositions contain a biocompatible hydrogel having encapsulated therein mammalian cells and anti-inflammatory drugs or polymeric particles loaded with anti-inflammatory drugs. The anti-inflammatory drugs are released from the composition after transplantation in an amount effective to inhibit fibrosis of the composition for at least ten days. Methods for identifying and selecting suitable anti-inflammatory drug-loaded particles to prevent fibrosis of encapsulated cells are also described. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject.

A device can be used for both tissue expansion within a body of a patient as well as a permanently implanted prosthesis. Such a device can include an expandable elastomeric matrix and granules of a solute embedded within the matrix. The matrix can define boundaries of a plurality of chambers within the matrix. The device, when implanted within the body of the patient, can be exposed to fluid within the patient to create an osmotic gradient across a boundary of the device. Based on the gradient, fluid permeates the elastomer and gradually expands the chambers. The rate of expansion can be programmed to allow the body to naturally adapt to the volume, which increases until achieving a target volume in an expanded state.

A device can be used for both tissue expansion within a body of a patient as well as a permanently implanted prosthesis. Such a device can include an expandable elastomeric matrix and granules of a solute embedded within the matrix. The matrix can define boundaries of a plurality of chambers within the matrix. The device, when implanted within the body of the patient, can be exposed to fluid within the patient to create an osmotic gradient across a boundary of the device. Based on the gradient, fluid permeates the elastomer and gradually expands the chambers. The rate of expansion can be programmed to allow the body to naturally adapt to the volume, which increases until achieving a target volume in an expanded state.

The invention features a system for preparing composite collagen microfiber scaffolds and biomaterials with a broad range of mechanical properties and uses. Using low cost materials, rapid fabrication techniques, and accessible software tools, the system provides a customizable, automated, biomaterial fabrication platform with broad accessibility.