The present invention provides an artificial bionic blood vessel and a manufacturing method thereof. The artificial bionic blood vessel includes a three-layer-structured artificial bionic blood vessel body, where the three-layer structure of the artificial bionic blood vessel consists of a natural silk layer, a diluted liquid silica-gel layer and a weaved tube layer, the diluted liquid silica-gel layer is located on the inner side of the natural silk layer, the weaved tube layer is located on the outer side of the natural silk layer, and the weaved tube layer is made of catgut by weaving.

The invention is directed to a composition comprising a fibrin hydrogel conjugated to peptides of laminin-111 (L1) and methods for repairing damaged salivary tissue using the composition.

The present invention relates to a nasolacrimal duct insertion member comprising a shape memory polymer for treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction/stenosis, wherein the shape memory polymer comprises a crosslinkable functional group, such that the nasolacrimal duct insertion member has a melting point suitable for implantation into a living body.

Methods are described for generating autologous tissue grafts, including generating grafts at the point of care, which include isolated cell populations that are enriched with stem cells and are mixed with biological fillers including hyaluronic acid and derivatives thereof. The hyaluronic acid localizes the cells to a desired injection site and stimulates collagen production thus enhancing the viability and the longevity of the graft.

The present invention provides tissue equivalent scaffold structures and methods of production thereof. Such methods include providing a casting chamber comprising an elongate mould portion, axially disposing a lumen template within the elongate mould portion, and at least partly filling the casting chamber with a gel casting material comprising a matrix of fibrils or fibres and an interstitial fluid phase, such that a portion of the lumen template extends above the casting material. The fluid phase of the gel is allow to flow axially out of the elongate mould portion, in a restricted manner, thereby resulting in axial densification of the gel casting material to form a tissue equivalent tubular scaffold. Tissue equivalent scaffold structures according to the present invention are able to support cell populations both within the walls and on the surface of the construct. They have enhanced mechanical strength due to increased collagen density, and are customisable in terms of luminal diameter and wall thickness. They may find application in tubular tissue engineering.

One aspect of the invention provides a method of preventing or reducing stenosis in a subject. The method includes implanting a passivated graft comprising vein into an artery. The implanting of the graft replaces and/or bypasses a diseased segment of the artery. The passivated graft including vein is prepared by exposing the exterior surface of the passivated graft comprising vein to a tissue structure stabilizing agent (“TSSA”) under conditions sufficient to promote cross-linking of proteins within the vein.

Compositions and methods of transplanting cells by grafting strategies into solid organs (especially internal organs) are provided. These methods and compositions can be used to repair diseased organs or to establish models of disease states in experimental hosts. The method involves attachment onto the surface of a tissue or organ, a patch graft, a “bandaid-like” covering, containing epithelial cells with supporting early lineage stage mesenchymal cells. The cells are incorporated into soft gel-forming biomaterials prepared under serum-free, defined conditions comprised of nutrients, lipids, vitamins, and regulatory signals that collectively support stemness of the donor cells. The graft is covered with a biodegradable, biocompatible, bioresorbable backing used to affix the graft to the target site. The cells in the graft migrate into and throughout the tissue such that within a couple of weeks they are uniformly dispersed within the recipient (host) tissue. The mechanisms by which engraftment and integration of donor cells into the organ or tissue involve multiple membrane-associated and secreted forms of MMPs.

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

A biocompatible textile and methods for its use and fabrication are disclosed. The textile may be fabricated from electrospun fibers forming windings on a mandrel, in which the windings form openings having a mesh size between adjacent windings. The textile may also be fabricated by the addition of solvent-soluble particles incorporated into the textile while the windings are formed. Such particles may be removed by exposing the textile to a solvent, thereby dissolving them. Disclosed are also replacements for animal organs composed of material including at least one layer of an electrospun fiber textile having a mesh size. Such replacements for animal organs may include biocompatible textiles treated with a surface treatment process.

A ureteral stent is provided. The stent may include a first section having a first wall defining a first luminal section. The stent may further include a second section having a second wall defining a second luminal section. The second section can be enabled to substantially close at times external pressure is applied to the stent.