Biomaterials and methods and uses for repair or augmentation of tissues are provided. In particular, the invention provides a multi-layered, naturally occurring multi-axial oriented biomaterial comprising predominately type I collagen fibers. The invention further provides methods and uses for repair or augmentation of tissues using biomaterials of the invention.

A biodegradable in vivo supporting device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a coated stent device includes a biodegradable metal alloy scaffold made from a magnesium alloy, iron alloy, zinc alloy, or combination thereof, and the metal scaffold comprises a plurality of metal struts. The metal struts are at least partially covered with a biodegradable polymer coating. A method for making and a method for using a biodegradable in vivo supporting device are also disclosed.

A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

A barrier layer and corresponding method of making provide anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and anti-adhesion functionality for a medical device implantable in a patient. The barrier layer can be combined with a medical device structure to provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing, non-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory response. The barrier layer is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent.

A pouch-like structure useful for mechanically preventing distension and/or resisting dilation of the heart and for supporting the hearts function by controllable and paracrine support of a failing heart in a mammal, is composed at least partly of engineered tissue with genetically engineered cells other than cardiac myocytes. The genetically engineered cells contain a gene encoding a paracrine factor which is under control of an inducible promoter system or a heterologous promoter system. The preparation of the pouch-like structure may be used for therapeutic, disease modelling, and drug development applications.

Materials for soft tissue repair, and in particular, material for hernia repair. These materials may be configured as an implant, such as a graft, that may be implanted into a patient in need thereof, such as a patient having a hernia or undergoing a hernia repair surgical procedure. These grafts may include a first layer comprising a substrate (e.g., mesh) and a second layer comprising a sheet of anti-adhesive material. The layers may be attached with a plurality of relatively small attachment sites that are separated by regions in which the two layers are not attached, to provide a highly compliant graft.

A cardiothoracic construct fabricated from human birth tissue comprising at least one cross-linked amniotic membrane, or at least one cross-linked chorionic membrane, or at least one amniotic membrane, or at least one chorionic membrane, or any combination thereof wherein the membrane(s) is/are treated with at least one alcohol composition followed by terminal sterilization is provided. Methods of processing a membrane to form a cardiothoracic construct and methods of preventing adhesion after a cardiac surgical procedure are also provided.

A method of preventing or reducing the occurrence and/or development of a hernia within a subject at risk of developing a hernia includes implanting a graft material in contact with an opening in an abdominal wall. The graft material promotes healing of the abdominal wall and includes placental or placental derived tissue.

An atraumatic detection/stimulation lead is disclosed. The lead includes at least one microcable having a core cable comprising a plurality of elementary metal strands. One of the microcables has provided at its distal end an atraumatic protection device. The atraumatic protection device includes a protective coating on the distal ends of the elementary strands of the microcable, and the protective coating is covered by a protective cap of deformable material. The protective cap may be a conical distal end adapted to deform and axially flatten out. The microcable may have an overall diameter less than or equal to 1.5 French (0.50 mm).

The invention provides implantable devices and membranes suitable for implantation in a body lumen, as well as methods and processes for their preparation.