Described herein are regenerative approaches with tunable cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions to enhance the ability to regenerate multiple zones within a construct with each zone possessing a unique, optimum, level of cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction.

The chemically cross-linked hydrogel is a hydrogel formed by reaction of silk with a crosslinking agent, and the crosslinking agent is a diglycidyl ether crosslinking agent. The hydrogel is obtained by dissolving silk fibers in a lithium bromide solution and crosslinking through the crosslinking agent. The hydrogel has good elasticity, and can recover more than 90% of its volume/height after being compressed for 100 cycles with a compressive deformation of 20%. The silk is very stable in matrix structure and mechanical properties. After incubation in PBS at 37° C. for 30 days, the content of β-sheets in the secondary structure elements of the silk is less than or equal to 40%, and its compressive modulus is less than or equal to 100% (with a compressive deformation of 20%). The hydrogel has good biocompatibility and adjustable biodegradability, and can be used for repairing or filling tissues in subjects.

This invention is directed to systems and methods for treating a hernia by implanting a tissue graft material.

Compositions containing purified collagen biomaterial derived from tissues, for example, insoluble amnion, soluble amnion, soluble chorion of the human placenta, are provided. The collagen compositions can be used to promote wound healing, promote tissue regeneration, prevent or reduce scarring, reduce local inflammation, minimize tissue rejection, promote graft integration. Methods for using the collagen composition as a biomaterial implant for dermal filling, skin grafting, and hair transplantation are also provided.

The present invention relates to the field of biomedical technology, and relates to a composite membrane comprising a decellularized amniotic membrane, a use of the composite membrane, and a method for preparing the composite membrane.

The present invention provides novel compositions comprising multipotent cells or microvascular tissue, wherein the cells or tissue has been sterilized and/or treated to inactivated viruses, and related methods of using these compositions to treat or prevent tissue injury or disease in an allogeneic subject.

Disclosed are devitalized adipose tissue. Disclosed are compositions comprising devitalized adipose tissue. In some aspects, the compositions further comprise a cryopreservation or lyophilization solution. Disclosed are cryopreserved or lyophilized devitalized adipose tissue. Disclosed are methods of augmenting a soft tissue site of a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising devitalized adipose tissue. Disclosed are methods of treating a subject having fat pad atrophy comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising devitalized adipose tissue. Disclosed are methods of treating a subject having lipodystrophy comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising devitalized adipose tissue. Disclosed are methods of treating a subject having a metabolic disease or condition comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising devitalized adipose tissue.

The growth factor profile, connective tissue matrix constituents, and immunoprivileged status of urodele extracellular matrix (ECM) and accompanying cutaneous tissue, plus the presence of antimicrobial peptides there, render urodele-derived tissue an ideal source for biological scaffolds for xenotransplantation. In particular, a biological scaffold biomaterial can be obtained by a process that entails (A) obtaining a tissue sample from a urodele, where the tissue comprises ECM, inclusive of the basement membrane, and (B) subjecting the tissue sample to a decellularization process that maintains the structural and functional integrity of the extracellular matrix, by virtue of retaining its fibrous and on-fibrous proteins, glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans, while removing sufficient cellular components of the sample to reduce or eliminate antigenicity and immunogenicity for xenograft purposes. The resultant urodele-derived biomaterial can be used to enhance restoration of skin homeostasis, to reduce the severity, durations and associated damage caused by post-surgical inflammation, and to promote progression of natural healing and regeneration processes. In addition, the biomaterial promotes the formation of remodeled tissue that is comparable in quality, function, and compliance to undamaged human tissue.

A process for evaluating rheological characteristics of an injectable gel including measuring the flexibility, wherein the flexibility is evaluated by measuring the strain at the crossover point of the amplitude sweep. The process may include subjecting an injectable gel to oscillating mechanical stresses to determine G′ and G″ as a function of strain (γ) in an amplitude sweep, determining the crossover point as the point at which G′ and G″ have the same value, determining the strain γ.sub.cross at the crossover point, and determining the flexibility of the injectable gel as γ.sub.cross or proportional to γ.sub.cross. Further, a method of comparison of dermal fillers by measuring their flexibility and a method of evaluation of dermal filler behavior in human skin by measuring the flexibility.

An embodiment includes a penile prosthetic comprising: an expandable conduit; a pump; a reservoir; a first conduit that couples the expandable conduit to the pump; a second conduit that couples the reservoir to the pump; and a plate that couples to the expandable conduit, wherein the plate includes a concave surface. Other embodiments are described herein.