Described herein are tissue grafts derived from the placenta that possess good adhesion to biological tissues and are useful in wound healing applications. In one aspect, the tissue graft includes (1) two or more layers of amnion, wherein at least one layer of amnion is cross-linked, (2) two or more layers of chorion, wherein at least one layer of chorion is cross-linked, or (3) one or more layers of amnion and chorion, wherein at least one layer of amnion and/or chorion is cross-linked. In another aspect, the grafts are composed of amnion and chorion cross-linked with one another. In a further aspect, the grafts have one or more layers sandwiched between the amnion and chorion membranes. The amnion and/or the chorion are treated with a cross-linking agent prior to the formation of the graft. The presence of the cross-linking agent present on the graft also enhances adhesion to the biological tissue of interest. Also described herein are methods for making and using the tissue grafts.

The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods for reducing or eliminating the thrombogenicity of a graft by modifying the graft with a cell-derived extracellular matrix lacking thrombospondin-2 (TSP2-null ECM) to render it non-thrombogenic when transplanted to a subject in need thereof. The invention also provides a method for improving the biocompatibility of a medical device or an implant by modifying the medical device or implant with a cell-derived TSP2-null ECM, whereby the medical device or implant is rendered non-thrombogenic and pro-migratory.

This invention is directed to an anastomosing stent comprising an internal frame and an external casing, and methods of use thereof.

A tissue graft for soft tissue repair or reconstruction comprising a sheet of a biopolymer-based matrix having a plurality of small perforations and a plurality of large perforations. The small perforations are sized to facilitate clotting and granulation tissue development within the perforations which, in turn, facilitates revascularization and cell repopulation in the patient. The large perforations are sized to reduce the occurrence of clotting and granulation tissue development within the perforations so that extravascular tissue fluids accumulating at the implant site can drain through the tissue graft. The large perforations enhance mammal tissue anchoring by permitting mammal tissue to compress into the perforations increasing mammal tissue contact area.

A heterogeneous patient-based breast phantom that mimics the anatomy and properties of real breast tissues when screened with ionizing and nonionizing imaging modalities is described. The heterogeneous breast phantom includes a skin mimicking segment; an adipose tissue mimicking segment; a fibro-glandular tissue mimicking segment; and a pectoral muscle mimicking segment wherein each segment is shaped and arranged such that the breast phantom represents a breast tissue. Performance of the breast phantom was characterized by mass attenuation coefficient, electron density and effective atomic number. Further, performance of breast phantoms was confirmed CT and breast MM machines.

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 biodegradable mesh implant for use in soft tissue repair, in particular surgical hernia, chronic wound healing or fistula repair, within the body of a patient is disclosed. The mesh implant includes a porous, hydrophilic biodegradable polymeric carrier mesh and fibroblasts on or within the polymeric carrier mesh. The carrier mesh includes a sponge-like structure with interconnected pores of different sizes, has a water contact angle of less than 75° and is made of at least a first polymer comprising polylactic acid as a main component.

Disclosed are apparatus and methods for blood and other biological fluid purification using a membrane with cell containing vascular channel systems and filtration channel systems. Also disclosed are methods of making the apparatus as well as methods of making membranes.

Provided are methods for improving the efficacy and success of cell-based therapies by administration of stem cells which have been preconditioned with an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEHI), as well as kits, stents and patches for administering sEHI-preconditioned stem cells, as sole active agent or in combination with an agent that increases the production and or levels of EETs.

An implantable medical device may comprise an elongated tubular body having a scaffolding forming a plurality of cells. A polymeric covering may be disposed over at least a portion of the stent. The covering may include a plurality of voids formed in an outer surface thereof. An extracellular matrix material coating may be disposed over the polymeric covering and within the plurality of voids.