An object of the present invention is to provide a stem cell applicable to regenerative therapeutic method, and to provide a technique to carry out regenerative therapy using the cell. A collected cardiac tissue fragment is enzymatically treated to prepare a cell suspension. Then using the cell suspension, following steps are carried out: (1) separation of cells by the density gradient method, (2) suspension-culture in a culture medium containing fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor and (3) selection and separation of cells forming a floating sphere to obtain pluripotent stem cells. Thus-obtained pluripotent stem cells are used to carry out regenerative therapy.

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.

Knit scaffolds for culturing cells and aiding in the healing of functional tissue are provided. The knit scaffolds have properties aligned with specific tissues for providing optimal tissue growing surfaces including matched biomechanical properties. The scaffolds are made up of knitted material and do not require or utilize a support skeleton for function. Methods of making and using the knit scaffolds are also provided.

A prosthetic valve comprising a conical shaped sheet structure and a support structure, the sheet structure having a closed distal end and a plurality of elongated ribbon members that are positioned proximate each other in a joined relationship, whereby the ribbon members form a plurality of fluid flow modulating regions that close when fluid flow through the valve exhibits a negative flow pressure and open when fluid flow through the valve exhibits a positive flow pressure, the support structure having at least one elongated cardiovascular structure engagement member that is associated with one of the ribbon members and adapted to engage a cardiovascular structure.

An improved device and method for extended repair and regeneration of muscle tissue. An exemplary device comprises (a) a scaffold comprising an ECM component; (b) a combination of growth factors such as VEGF and IGF; and (c) a population of myogenic cells. Implantation of the device leads to muscle regeneration and repair over an extended period of time.

Methods of generating tubular, bioengineered, smooth muscle structures are disclosed as well as bioengineered tissue for tubular organ repair or replacement. The methods can include the steps of obtaining smooth muscle cells; culturing the muscle cells to form a smooth muscle cell construct of directionally oriented smooth muscle cells; disposing the smooth muscle cell construct around a tubular scaffold; and culturing construct and scaffold in a growth media until a smooth muscle cell structure is achieved. The step of obtain smooth muscle cells can further include obtaining autologous smooth muscle cells from a subject. In one preferred embodiment, the muscle cells can first be on a fibrin substrate to form a muscle construct, which is then disposed around a tubular scaffold, for example, a chitosan scaffold. The methods of the present invention can further include connecting two or more tubular structures together to form an elongate composite structure.

A prosthetic atrioventricular tissue valve comprising a continuous tubular member formed from a first biocompatible material, the tubular member having proximal and distal ends, and at least one valve leaflet formed therein, the distal end of the tubular member including cardiovascular structure engagement means for connecting the tubular member to a cardiovascular structure, the cardiovascular structure engagement means comprising a plurality of elongated members that extend distally from the distal end of the tubular member.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a cell population comprising myocardium-committed cells that differentiate into and survive as myocardial cells under a myocardial tissue environment. Specifically, the method is characterized in that adipose-tissue-derived multi-lineage/multi-potent progenitor cells are cultured in the presence of a polyamine. The present invention further relates to a cell population comprising the myocardium-committed cells, a cell preparation comprising the cell population, or a cell sheet. The present invention further relates to a method for treating a heart disease, which comprises administering the cell population to a subject.

A prosthetic heart valve provided herein can include a cultured cell tissue leaflet. In some cases, a prosthetic heart valve can include a plurality of leaflets secured together and retained within the expandable tubular member. The cultured cell tissue can be obtained by culturing fibroblast cells, smooth muscle cells, or a combination thereof to form a sheet of cultured cells and chemically cross-linking the fibroblast cells while under tension. In some cases, the cultured cell tissue can be radially tensioned. In some cases, the cultured cell tissue can be bi-axially tensioned.

An improved device and method for extended repair and regeneration of muscle tissue. An exemplary device comprises (a) a scaffold comprising an ECM component; (b) a combination of growth factors such as VEGF and IGF; and (c) a population of myogenic cells. Implantation of the device leads to muscle regeneration and repair over an extended period of time.