A storable molded body is made of treated bacterial cellulose. The treated bacterial cellulose is dry and has a swelling capacity that is greater than untreated bacterial cellulose of the same type. The swelling capacity of the treated bacterial cellulose can be between about 103% and 154% greater than the non-treated bacterial cellulose. The bacterial cellulose can be from Gluconacetobacter xylinus. An implant includes or consists of the molded body of treated bacterial cellulose.

Methods and systems to isolate microvessels using an enriched or purified enzyme to dissociate tissue are described. The systems and methods include a second digestion to digest a top layer, from a first digestion and first centrifuge operation, with the enriched or purified enzyme to generate a second fat-enzyme solution, a second centrifuge operation, and isolation of the microvessels from pellets generated by the first and second centrifuge operations. The systems and methods may include washing the second fat-enzyme solution with an enzyme inhibitor in a post-digestion wash.

A stent scaffold combined with amniotic tissue provides for a biocompatible stent that has improved biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. The amnion tissue can be variously modified or unmodified form of amnion tissue such as non-cryo amnion tissue, solubilized amnion tissue, amnion tissue fabric, chemically modified amnion tissue, amnion tissue treated with radiation, amnion tissue treated with heat, or a combination thereof. Materials such as polymer, placental tissue, pericardium tissue, small intestine submucosa can be used in combination with the amnion tissue. The amnion tissue can be attached to the inside, the outside, both inside and outside, or complete encapsulation of the stent scaffold. In some embodiments, at least part of the covering or lining comprises a plurality of layers of amnion tissue. The method of making the biocompatible stent and its delivery and deployment are also discussed.

Medical systems, devices and methods for creation of autologous tissue valves within a mammalian body are disclosed. One example of a device for creating a valve flap from a vessel wall includes an elongate tubular structure having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a longitudinal axis; a first lumen having a first exit port located on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure; a second lumen having a second exit port located on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure; a recessed distal surface on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure, wherein the recessed distal surface is located distally to the first exit port; and an open trough on the recessed distal surface extending longitudinally from the first exit port.

Vascular scaffolds and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed for tissue engineering of vascular constructs. By combining electrospun matrices with cell sheet technologies, vascular constructs with more mature cell layers can be obtained for reconstruction of blood vessels, heart valves and the like. A engineered smooth muscle cell sheet, wrapped around an electrospun vascular scaffold, is able to provide a mature SMC layer that expresses strong cell-to-cell junction markers and contractile proteins. In addition, preconditioning of the cell sheet covered vascular scaffold maintained cell viability and infiltration into the scaffold.

A tubular tissue graft device is provided comprising a tubular member and a restrictive fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a circumference of the tubular tissue. The matrix may be electrospun onto the tubular tissue. In one embodiment, the tubular tissue is from a vein, such as a saphenous vein, useful as an arterial graft, for example and without limitation, in a coronary artery bypass procedure. Also provided is method of preparing a tubular graft comprising depositing a fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a perimeter of a tubular tissue to produce a tubular tissue graft device. A cardiac bypass method comprising bypassing a coronary artery with a tubular tissue graft device comprising a vein and a restrictive fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a circumference of the vein also is provided.

A method of producing a decellularized transplantation material, wherein the method includes the steps of (a) harvesting a branch-bearing blood vessel from a vertebrate animal (a donor); (b) decellularizing the blood vessel; and (c) adhering, by a protein denaturation treatment, a portion where a branch has been excised to close the vessel. Also, a graft composition consisting of a biocompatible material that contains the decellularized transplantation material.

A method for producing a storable molded body made of bacterial cellulose and a molded body produced according to the method. A preferred method includes providing a molded body made of bacterial cellulose. Optionally, mechanically pressing the entire molded body or parts of the molded body at temperatures in the range of 10 C. to 100 C. and pressures in the range of 0.01 to 1 MPa for a pressing time of 10-200 min. Treating the molded body with a solution of 20% by weight to 50% by weight of glycerol and 50% by weight to 80% by weight of a C1-C3-alcohol/water mixture. Drying the treated molded body.

A heart valve implant comprising a supporting stent, a heart valve element, and a skirt. The skirt includes or is formed of at least one molded body, wherein the molded body is made of dried treated bacterial cellulose that has a swelling capacity that is greater than untreated bacterial cellulose of the same type.

A bioreactor system includes a bioreactor container having a first compartment, a second compartment, a first membrane separating the first compartment from the second compartment, a third compartment, and a second membrane separating the third compartment from the first compartment or the second compartment and the system further includes a tissue scaffold integrated with the bioreactor container in the second compartment to form a single bioreactor unit. One or more fluids can be added to one or more of the compartments.