A method for treating tissue to form a dry tissue component that is readily rehydrated and does not require rinsing prior to implantation in the human body. The method comprises pretreatment and fixation steps that include penetrating agent molecules having a flexible backbone and at least one polar group; the steps further include cations and anions to enhance integration of penetration agent molecules into and bonding to tissue component structural molecules to provide resistance to cracking of the dry tissue component during bending.

The present disclosure provides fasciculated nerve grafts of customizable lengths and diameters, and methods of preparing the same. The grafts are made by digesting native extracellular matrix (ECM) around the nerve fascicles of a nerve tissue, and the epineurial sheath. One or more of the individual fascicles may then be entubulated in an entubulation material, embedded in or coated with a coating material, or both, to form a fasciculated nerve graft. The fasciculated nerve grafts are customizable and designed to bridge nerve gaps; the modularity of the fasciculated nerve graft allows for restoring continuity to nerve defects of virtually any length and allows for matching the diameter of the patient's recipient nerve.

A method for decellularization of a skin tissue according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a step of preparing a skin tissue to be decellularized; a peeling preparation step of treating the skin tissue with a first solution containing trypsin; and a peeling step of removing subcutaneous fat from the skin tissue after the peeling preparation step.

A method for preserving and reducing the immunogenicity of a tissue, the method including obtaining a first tissue, the first tissue being a wild type tissue or genetically modified tissue; forming a second tissue by immersing the first tissue in a first solution having a cryoprotectant concentration of at least about 75% by weight for at least one hour to kill and lyse the cells of the first tissue; forming a third tissue by removing residual cell materials of the second tissue, the residual cell materials of the second tissue being removed by subjecting the second tissue to decellularization in a bioreactor; and subjecting the third tissue to ice-free cryopreservation.

A bioprosthetic tissue having a reduced propensity to calcify in vivo, the bioprosthetic tissue. The bioprosthetic tissue comprises an aldehyde cross-linked and stressed bioprosthetic tissue comprising exposed calcium, phosphate or immunogenic binding sites that have been reacted with a calcification mitigant. The bioprosthetic tissue has a reduced propensity to calcify in vivo as compared to aldehyde cross-linked bioprosthetic tissue that has not been stressed and reacted with the calcification mitigant.

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 device that allows for either fat graft preparation or cell fraction harvest is disclosed. The device includes a first centrifuge tube configured to receive and process a biological substance, the first centrifuge tube comprising an upper cylindrical portion and a lower conical portion, a sterile tissue inlet fitting, at least one sterile processing fluid inlet fitting, a sterile suction fitting, and at least one sterile extraction port connected to a first extraction tube. The first centrifuge tube further includes an internal space including a screen being positioned therein, the screen being configured to divide the internal space in half, and a filter positioned therein, the filter being positioned below the screen in the lower conical portion of the first centrifuge tube. The device may further include a second centrifuge tube configured to receive and further process the biological substance from the first centrifuge tube. The second centrifuge tube has at least one sterile fitting, wherein the second centrifuge tube is releasably connected via the at least one sterile fitting to one of the at least one sterile extraction ports of the first centrifuge tube.

Disclosed herein is a method of producing acellular cartilage grafts. The method includes steps of, subjecting a cartilage matrix derived from an animal to alkaline, disinfection and decelluarization treatments. The thus produced cartilage graft is devoid of any cellular matters, while maintaining the porosity and integrity of collagen fibers therein, thus is suitable as a xenograft for host cells to grown thereon. Also disclosed herein is a method for treating osteochondral disease of a subject, in which the present acellular cartilage graft is applied to a lesion site of the subject.

The present invention provides compositions for treating soft tissue injuries comprising a collagen matrix and mesenchymal stem cells adhered to the collagen matrix. Methods of making and using compositions comprising a collagen matrix and mesenchymal stem cells adhered to the collagen matrix are also provided.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The compositions of the present invention comprise amniotic membrane of the placenta. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises amniotic membrane powder or solubilized amniotic membrane (SAM). In some aspects, the composition is cell-free and rich in cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins, and other components that improve tissue regeneration. In one aspect, the composition is a hydrogel scaffold that comprises amniotic membrane. The present invention reduces contraction and improves blood vessel development in regenerating tissue.