Abstract: The present invention suppresses the strength reduction or degeneration of a tissue after the tissue is dried and/or sterilized, for the tissue comprising biological components and the like. Specifically, biological tissue is immersed in a trehalose solution and shaken, thereby impregnating the biological tissue with the trehalose solution. The trehalose solution used here is one obtained by dissolving trehalose in a phosphate buffered saline, the concentration of trehalose being preferably in the range of 20 wt % to 35 wt %. Thereafter, the biological tissue is dried to remove moisture in the biological tissue, and sterilized with ethylene oxide gas.

Abstract: To provide a mixing device, a mixing tube, a drug solution injecting system, and a drug solution mixing method capable of evenly and efficiently mixing a plurality of kinds of drug solutions. The mixing device according to the present invention includes: a swirling flow generating chamber; a first inflow opening for introducing a first drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber in a direction parallel to a central axis of the swirling flow; a second inflow opening for introducing a second drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber so as to generate a swirling flow of the second drug solution having a specific gravity lower than that of the first drug solution; an outflow opening for discharging a mixed drug solution; and a narrowing chamber which is interposed between the swirling flow generating chamber and the outflow opening and has a space continuously narrowed toward the outflow opening.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayered cell sheet characterized in fabricating a vascular bed that constructs a vascular network extending to the surface from a channel for perfusing a medium, the channel being embedded in a gel; and layering a cell sheet onto the vascular bed to construct a vascular network in the cell sheet. This manufacturing method makes it possible to construct a vascular network in the cell sheet and to fabricate a thick multilayered cell sheet in a simple manner by layering cell sheets. Such a thick multilayered cell sheet is useful as an in-vivo tissue substitute in regenerative medicine involving a variety of tissues.

Abstract: An artificial mitral valve has a ring, an anterior cusp-side region, a posterior cusp-side region and a valve leaflet connected along an outer edge of the ring. The valve leaflet includes an anterior cusp forming member connected to the anterior cusp-side region and a posterior cusp forming member connected to the posterior cusp-side region. The anterior cusp forming member is provided with has an upper edge joined to the ring and a lower edge that forms a bifurcated portion. The upper edge is made up of a pair of right and left edges that incline inward and upward from the right and left sides, and a curved edge interposed between the inclined edges that curves along the anterior cusp-side region. The posterior cusp forming member has an upper edge joined to the ring and a lower edge that forms a bifurcated portion.

Abstract: To provide a mixing device, a mixing tube, a drug solution injecting system, and a drug solution mixing method capable of evenly and efficiently mixing a plurality of kinds of drug solutions. The mixing device according to the present invention includes: a swirling flow generating chamber; a first inflow opening for introducing a first drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber in a direction parallel to a central axis of the swirling flow; a second inflow opening for introducing a second drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber so as to generate a swirling flow of the second drug solution having a specific gravity lower than that of the first drug solution; an outflow opening for discharging a mixed drug solution; and a narrowing chamber which is interposed between the swirling flow generating chamber and the outflow opening and has a space continuously narrowed toward the outflow opening.

Abstract: To provide a mixing device, a mixing tube, a drug solution injecting system, and a drug solution mixing method capable of evenly and efficiently mixing a plurality of kinds of drug solutions. The mixing device according to the present invention includes: a swirling flow generating chamber; a first inflow opening for introducing a first drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber in a direction parallel to a central axis of the swirling flow; a second inflow opening for introducing a second drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber so as to generate a swirling flow of the second drug solution having a specific gravity lower than that of the first drug solution; an outflow opening for discharging a mixed drug solution; and a narrowing chamber which is interposed between the swirling flow generating chamber and the outflow opening and has a space continuously narrowed toward the outflow opening.

Abstract: The present invention suppresses the strength reduction or degeneration of a tissue after the tissue is dried and/or sterilized, for the tissue comprising biological components and the like. Specifically, biological tissue is immersed in a trehalose solution and shaken, thereby impregnating the biological tissue with the trehalose solution. The trehalose solution used here is one obtained by dissolving trehalose in a phosphate buffered saline, the concentration of trehalose being preferably in the range of 20 wt % to 35 wt %. Thereafter, the biological tissue is dried to remove moisture in the biological tissue, and sterilized with ethylene oxide gas.

Abstract: A system (10) for forming and maintaining a biological tissue by which a biological tissue can be artificially formed by culturing cells, which comprises a pulse pump (12), a circulation pathway (13) having such a circuit structure as allowing a liquid cell culture medium discharged from the pulse pump (12) to return into the pulse pump (12), and a cell culture section (14A) and a gas exchange section (14B) provided along the circulation pathway (13). The cell culture section (14A) holds a cell holder (H) in such a manner to form a first channel wherein the liquid cell culture medium flowing in the circulation pathway (13) passes through the cell holder (H) and returns into the circulation pathway (13) and a second channel wherein the liquid cell culture medium flowing in the circulation pathway (13) passes outside the cell holder (H) and returns into the circulation pathway thereby bringing about a difference in pressure between the liquid cell culture medium passing through the respective channels.

Abstract: An artificial mitral valve has a ring, an anterior cusp-side region, a posterior cusp-side region and a valve leaflet connected along an outer edge of the ring. The valve leaflet includes an anterior cusp forming member connected to the anterior cusp-side region and a posterior cusp forming member connected to the posterior cusp-side region. The anterior cusp forming member is provided with has an upper edge joined to the ring and a lower edge that forms a bifurcated portion. The upper edge is made up of a pair of right and left edges that incline inward and upward from the right and left sides, and a curved edge interposed between the inclined edges that curves along the anterior cusp-side region. The posterior cusp forming member has an upper edge joined to the ring and a lower edge that forms a bifurcated portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method whereby a narrowed part similar to an actual lesioned blood vessel can be easily obtained. A mold (10) comprises first and second molded members (16, 17) having inner spaces (29, 40, 57) passing through in the axial direction and an axial member (18) detachably inserted through the individual inner spaces (29, 40, 57) of the individual molded members (16, 17). The molded members (16, 17) have tapered front parts (27, 27) respectively. In the state of facing the front ends (20) of the tapered front parts (27) to each other and thus forming a concave (12), the axial member (18) is attached. A first material (75) made of a mixed material comprising calcium carbonate or the like and silicone or the like is applied to the concave (12). A second material (76) such as silicone is applied to the entire outer periphery of the mold (10). After hardening the materials (75, 76), the mold (10) is withdrawn by detaching the axial member (18) and dividing the concave (12).

Abstract: An artificial mitral valve has a ring, an anterior cusp-side region, a posterior cusp-side region and a valve leaflet connected along an outer edge of the ring. The valve leaflet includes an anterior cusp forming member connected to the anterior cusp-side region and a posterior cusp forming member connected to the posterior cusp-side region. The anterior cusp forming member has an upper edge joined to the ring and a lower edge that forms a bifurcated portion. The upper edge is made up of a pair of right and left edges that incline inward and upward from the right and left sides, and a curved edge interposed between the inclined edges that curves along the anterior cusp-side region. The posterior cusp forming member has an upper edge joined to the ring and a lower edge that forms a bifurcated portion.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an endurance test apparatus whereby the behaviors of a vessel caused by a biomechanical burden can be simulated using a relatively simple constitution so that the endurance of a medical instrument (for example, a stent or an artificial vessel after anastomosis) can be tested in a similar state to an actual vessel, and an endurance test method therefor. Namely, an endurance test apparatus (10) comprises a simulated vessel (31) made of an elastic body, first and second holding members (32, 33) respectively supporting the both ends in the axial direction of the simulated vessel (31) and making the both ends relatively rotatable and interval-adjustable, and first and second motors (14, 15) operating these holding members (32, 33). The simulated vessel (31) is supported by the first and second holding members (32, 33) in a state stretched from its inherent length under a tensile force.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayered cell sheet characterized in fabricating a vascular bed that constructs a vascular network extending to the surface from a channel for perfusing a medium, the channel being embedded in a gel; and layering a cell sheet onto the vascular bed to construct a vascular network in the cell sheet. This manufacturing method makes it possible to construct a vascular network in the cell sheet and to fabricate a thick multilayered cell sheet in a simple manner by layering cell sheets. Such a thick multilayered cell sheet is useful as an in-vivo tissue substitute in regenerative medicine involving a variety of tissues.

Abstract: A blood vessel model for medical training not deforming with time and approximated to a real blood vessel without using any other tool when the blood vessel wall of the simulated blood vessel is incised or cut off. The blood vessel model 10 includes a simulated blood vessel 11 simulating a blood vessel and artificially fabricated and a base 12 supporting the simulated blood vessel 11. The simulated blood vessel 11 has a circumferentially exposed part and the other part buried in the base 12. The base 12 has a jointed part 24 disposed in a position below the simulated blood vessel 11 and formed by joining forming edges 26A, 26A of a cutout 26 extending along the simulated blood vessel 11 to impart a tensile stress in the diameter-increasing direction to the simulated blood vessel 11.

Abstract: To provide a mixing device, a mixing tube, a drug solution injecting system, and a drug solution mixing method capable of evenly and efficiently mixing a plurality of kinds of drug solutions. The mixing device according to the present invention includes: a swirling flow generating chamber; a first inflow opening for introducing a first drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber in a direction parallel to a central axis of the swirling flow; a second inflow opening for introducing a second drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber so as to generate a swirling flow of the second drug solution having a specific gravity lower than that of the first drug solution; an outflow opening for discharging a mixed drug solution; and a narrowing chamber which is interposed between the swirling flow generating chamber and the outflow opening and has a space continuously narrowed toward the outflow opening.

Abstract: An artificial mitral valve 10 is provided with a ring 12 divided along the circumferential direction into two; an anterior cusp-side region 44 and a posterior cusp-side region 45 and an artificial valve leaflet 11 connected along an outer edge of the ring 12. The artificial valve leaflet 11 is made up of a symmetric anterior cusp forming member 14 connected to the anterior cusp-side region 44 and a symmetric posterior cusp forming member 15 connected to the posterior cusp-side region 45. The anterior cusp forming member 14 is provided with an upper edge 17 joined to the ring 12 and a lower edge 22 connected to the upper edge 17 and forming a bifurcated portion 20. The upper edge 17 is made up of a pair of right and left inclined edges 24 inclined inward and upward from the right and left sides and a curved edge 25 interposed between the inclined edges 24 and curve-shaped along a reference region 48 of the anterior cusp-side region 44.

Abstract: A blood vessel model for medical training not deforming with time and approximated to a real blood vessel without using any other tool when the blood vessel wall of the simulated blood vessel is incised or cut off. The blood vessel model 10 includes a simulated blood vessel 11 simulating a blood vessel and artificially fabricated and a base 12 supporting the simulated blood vessel 11. The simulated blood vessel 11 has a circumferentially exposed part and the other part buried in the base 12. The base 12 has a jointed part 24 disposed in a position below the simulated blood vessel 11 and formed by joining forming edges 26A, 26A of a cutout 26 extending along the simulated blood vessel 11 to impart a tensile stress in the diameter-increasing direction to the simulated blood vessel 11.

Abstract: In the transplant of a living organism tissue, such as a heart valve, taken from an animal, etc. into a human body, a cell removing solution for removing original cells from the living organism tissue is provided with flow approximately equal to the bloodstream of transplant recipient living body, and the living organism tissue is placed in the flow so as to effect immersion of the living organism tissue in the cell removing solution. In the immersion, it is preferred that the living organism tissue placed in the cell removing solution, while being rotated, be irradiated with microwave. As a result, original cells can be removed from the living organism tissue uniformly and reliably, so that the biocompatibility of living organism tissue after transplant can be enhanced.

Abstract: A system for evaluating training 1 comprises a pulsating flow generating unit 11 for imparting a pulsating flow to a designated fluid, a coronary artery flow generating unit 12 that branches off from that pulsating flow generating unit 11 and by which a flow condition of that pulsating flow can be converted to generate a coronary artery flow, and a surgery training unit 13 provided between the pulsating flow generating unit 11 and the coronary artery flow generating unit 12 and that operates to enable coronary artery bypass surgery training under pulsation. This system for evaluating training 1 has a circuit configured to enable the coronary artery flow fluid generated by the coronary artery flow generating unit 12 to pass through a simulated blood vessel that has been subjected to a designated treatment in training using the surgery training unit 13.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method whereby a narrowed part similar to an actual lesioned blood vessel can be easily obtained. A mold (10) comprises first and second molded members (16, 17) having inner spaces (29, 40, 57) passing through in the axial direction and an axial member (18) detachably inserted through the individual inner spaces (29, 40, 57) of the individual molded members (16, 17). The molded members (16, 17) have tapered front parts (27, 27) respectively. In the state of facing the front ends (20) of the tapered front parts (27) to each other and thus forming a concave (12), the axial member (18) is attached. A first material (75) made of a mixed material comprising calcium carbonate or the like and silicone or the like is applied to the concave (12). A second material (76) such as silicone is applied to the entire outer periphery of the mold (10). After hardening the materials (75, 76), the mold (10) is withdrawn by detaching the axial member (18) and dividing the concave (12).