Patents by Inventor Martin P. Vacanti

Martin P. Vacanti has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Biological scaffolding material
    Publication number: 20040137613
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of generating a natural, living biological matrix that can serve as, or form a part of, a natural biological scaffold. The matrix is generated by incubating together biological cells and cellular debris. Any naturally occurring cell can be a biological cell included in the matrix. The invention also provides methods of treating a patient by implanting the matrix or scaffolding into a tissue of the patient, thereby augmenting the existing tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Martin P. Vacanti, Charles A. Vacanti
  • Guided development and support of hydrogel-cell compositions
    Publication number: 20040101518
    Abstract: The invention features a method for generating new tissue by obtaining a liquid hydrogel-cell composition including a hydrogel and tissue precursor cells; delivering the liquid hydrogel-cell composition into a permeable, biocompatible support structure; and allowing the liquid hydrogel-cell composition to solidify within the support structure and the tissue precursor cells to grow and generate new tissue. The invention also features a tissue forming structure including a permeable, biocompatible support structure having a predetermined shape that corresponds to the shape of desired tissue; and a hydrogel-cell composition at least partially filling the support structure, wherein the hydrogel-cell composition includes a hydrogel and tissue precursor cells. The new tissue forming structure can be used in new methods to generate various tissues (e.g., to treat defective tissue) including new bone, cartilage, and nervous tissue such as spinal cord tissue. The invention also new isolated nervous system stem cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: University of Massachussetts, a Massachusetts corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Vacanti, Joseph P. Vacanti, Martin P. Vacanti
  • Spore-like cells and uses thereof
    Publication number: 20040057942
    Abstract: Highly undifferentiated spore-like cells can be isolated from many different tissues and bodily fluids and used to treat a wide variety of disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: University of Massachusetts, a Massachusetts corporation
    Inventors: Martin P. Vacanti, Charles A. Vacanti
  • Compositions and methods for generating skin
    Publication number: 20040033598
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for growing new skin, which can be used to repair or replace skin that has been damaged or removed by a variety of insults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: University of Massachusetts, a Massachusetts corporation
    Inventors: Martin P. Vacanti, Charles A. Vacanti
  • Isolation of spore-like cells from tissues exposed to extreme conditions
    Publication number: 20020151050
    Abstract: Highly undifferentiated spore-like cells can be isolated from many different tissues and bodily fluids after those tissues and fluids have been exposed to extreme conditions. The spore-like cells can be used to treat a wide variety of disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Charles A. Vacanti, Martin P. Vacanti
  • Guided development and support of hydrogel-cell compositions
    Patent number: 6171610
    Abstract: The invention features a method for generating new tissue by obtaining a liquid hydrogel-cell composition including a hydrogel and tissue precursor cells; delivering the liquid hydrogel-cell composition into a permeable, biocompatible support structure; and allowing the liquid hydrogel-cell composition to solidify within the support structure and the tissue precursor cells to grow and generate new tissue. The invention also features a tissue forming structure including a permeable, biocompatible support structure having a predetermined shape that corresponds to the shape of desired tissue; and a hydrogel-cell composition at least partially filling the support structure, wherein the hydrogel-cell composition includes a hydrogel and tissue precursor cells. The new tissue forming structure can be used in new methods to generate various tissues (e.g., to treat defective tissue) including new bone, cartilage, and nervous tissue such as spinal cord tissue. The invention also new isolated nervous system stem cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignees: University of Massachusetts, The Children's Medical Center Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Vacanti, Joseph P. Vacanti, Martin P. Vacanti