Disclosed herein, in certain instances, are tissue grafts derived from UCAM. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, are use for tissue grafts derived from UCAM.

Disclosed herein is a polyurethane composite sheet comprising o a biocompatible and biostable polyurethane elastomer comprising polysiloxane segments, the polyurethane forming a continuous matrix of the sheet; and o a woven or braided fabric having a thickness of 15-150 μm and comprising biocompatible, high-strength polymer fibers; wherein the composite sheet comprises 10-90 mass % of polyurethane, has a thickness of 25-250 μm and an areal density of 5-300 g/m.sup.2; and wherein the composite sheet has, in at least one direction, non-linear uniaxial tensile behavior characterized by a 1%-secant modulus of 20-200 MPa, a hardening transition point at 10-45%, and a tensile strength of at least 25 MPa (measured in water at 37° C.).

The invention relates to a device for use in the transcatheter treatment of mitral valve regurgitation, specifically a coaptation enhancement element for implantation across the valve; a system including the coaptation enhancement element and anchors for implantation; a system including the coaptation enhancement element, catheter and driver; and a method for transcatheter implantation of a coaptation element across a heart valve.

This disclosure describes engineered tissues having structural components embedded therein and methods of making and using such engineered tissues having structural components embedded therein.

A sealing material suitable for a medical implant. The material includes a composite structure of a first component, a second component and a third component. The first component includes at least one biologically inert polymer. The second component includes a hydrogel, which swells up after contact with an aqueous solution by a first volume increase within a first time period. The third component includes a hygroscopic matrix, which swells up after contact with an aqueous solution by a second volume increase within a second time period. The second time period is shorter than the first time period.

A method of preparing a polyisobutylene-based polyurethane for making heart valves is disclosed, wherein the method includes providing a polyisobutylene (PIB) polymer, freshly distilling a diisocyanate compound to create a freshly distilled diisocyanate and providing a chain extender. When the polyisobutylene polymer, the freshly distilled diisocyanate, and the chain extender are combined together by mixing, the created polyisobutylene-based polyurethane exhibits a higher number average molecular weight, a higher ultimate strength, a higher elongation, and a greater toughness than a polyisobutylene-based polyurethane made without a freshly distilled diisocyanate, which makes the polymer particularly useful as a bioprosthetic heart valve.

A therapeutic microporous hydrogel scaffold for use in an animal is disclosed that releases one or more therapeutic agents or drugs. The scaffold uses a drug-releasing microporous annealed particle system that encapsulates drug-loaded nanoparticles into particle building blocks. By modulating nanoparticle hydrophilicity and pre-gel solution viscosity, the particle building blocks were generated with consistent and homogeneous encapsulation of nanoparticles. The scaffold may be used to treat myocardial infarction (MI) using, for example, the drugs forskolin (F) and Repsox (R). The intramyocardial injection of the pre-annealed hydrogel slurry of particles that formed the resultant scaffold improved left ventricular functions, which were further enhanced with increased angiogenesis and reduced fibrosis and inflammatory response. This therapeutic microporous hydrogel scaffold platform represents a new generation of microgel particles for MI therapy and will have broad applications in regenerative medicine and disease therapy.

The metal porous body having a framework of a three-dimensional network structure is disclosed. The framework is formed of a metal film, the framework has an interior that is hollow, and the metal film contains titanium metal or titanium alloy as a main component.

The invention pertains to a method for temporarily conferring advantageous cancer cell phenotypes, such as a higher proliferation rate, resistance to apoptosis and cell death, and resistance to endogenous factors that inhibit cell growth, on non-cancer cells that help repair and regenerate damaged tissues.

A heart valve assembly includes an outer frame. The outer frame is formed from a metallic material and defines a gridded configuration. An inner frame houses a prosthetic heart valve. The inner frame is a graft covering extending around the prosthetic heart valve for providing sealing to the heart valve. The graft covering is one of polyester, PTFE, ePTFE, or a polymer. The outer frame is secured to the graft covering. The outer frame is secured to the graft covering by a plurality of stitches. A plurality of radially extending fibers extend from the graft covering and through the outer metallic frame to form a seal positioned outwardly of the outer frame. The fibers include strands of fibers that terminate in an end thereof outwardly of the outer frame.