Abstract: The present inventors succeeded in culturing thick three-dimensional muscle tissue in which the muscle fibers are oriented in the same direction by providing channels for transporting a culture medium inside a hydrogel containing skeletal myoblasts. The three-dimensional muscle tissue produced according to the invention is expected to have a steak-like texture. Additionally, in regenerative medicine applications, damage in extensive and thick muscle tissue is expected to be healed with a single treatment by using thick three-dimensional muscle tissue.

Abstract: A method of producing a 3D tissue composite, comprising: a preparation step in which a multiple number of sheet-shaped first structures containing first cells are prepared, wherein at least one of the multiple number of first structures holds a second structure containing second cells; a stacking step in which the multiple number of first structures are stacked to form a 3D composite; and a culturing step in which the 3D composite is cultured to form a 3D tissue composite containing first tissues formed from the first cells and second tissues formed from the second cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method for a three-dimensional muscle tissue including the steps of: preparing an approximately rectangular first cell module containing skeletal myoblasts in a hydrogel, and having a plurality of approximately rectangular holes parallel to each other, and an approximately rectangular second cell module containing skeletal myoblasts in a hydrogel, and having a plurality of approximately rectangular holes parallel to each other at positions different from those of the first cell module in a vertical direction; alternately stacking the prepared first cell module and the prepared second cell module to obtain a stack; subjecting the skeletal myoblasts contained in the obtained stack to proliferation culture; and inducing the proliferated skeletal myoblasts to differentiate into myotubes.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial tissue perfusion device capable of analyzing the interaction between a vascular cell layer and a parenchymal cell layer with high accuracy. An artificial tissue perfusion device includes a co-culture system (C) in which a plurality of types of cell are cultured. The co-culture system has a tubular well part (10) having a culture space (11) inside; a base material (20) having a perfusion flow path (26) which extends in a predetermined direction and is perfused with a medium, and a holding part (23) which opens to the perfusion flow path and holds the well part attachably and detachably; and a gel membrane (30) having a form of a porous membrane and disposed at an end portion of the well part facing the perfusion flow path in a case where the well part is held by the holding part.

Abstract: The method for producing a three-dimensional artificial tissue is a method in which a three-dimensional artificial tissue extending in a predetermined direction is produced. The method includes: preparing a device including a culture tank having a culturing space surrounded by sidewalls, and a flow channel-forming member that penetrates through the sidewalls that face each other and is suspended in the culturing space along a predetermined direction; culturing cells in the culturing space and thereby forming a three-dimensional artificial tissue through which the flow channel-forming member penetrates; and removing the flow channel-forming member from the three-dimensional artificial tissue and thereby forming a perfusion flow channel that penetrates through the three-dimensional artificial tissue.

Abstract: The method for producing a three-dimensional artificial tissue is a method in which a three-dimensional artificial tissue extending in a predetermined direction is produced. The method includes: preparing a device including a culture tank having a culturing space surrounded by sidewalls, and a flow channel-forming member that penetrates through the sidewalls that face each other and is suspended in the culturing space along a predetermined direction; culturing cells in the culturing space and thereby forming a three-dimensional artificial tissue through which the flow channel-forming member penetrates; and removing the flow channel-forming member from the three-dimensional artificial tissue and thereby forming a perfusion flow channel that penetrates through the three-dimensional artificial tissue.

Abstract: A method for preparing a biomaterial comprising a gel layer which forms a core region, and cells (cover cells) which cover around the gel layer, said method comprising the steps of: (a) bringing a biocompatible oil or a vegetable oil or a mixture thereof with a mineral oil into contact with a solution containing a gel-forming component to form monodisperse droplets; (b) inducing gelation of the monodisperse droplets to give gel beads; and (c) seeding the cover cells over the surface of the gel beads.

Abstract: A medical fixed balloon disposed in an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity so as to fix the insertion portion to the inside of the body cavity, comprising: an inflation membrane inflated by supplying a fluid into an inside of the inflation membrane and whose outer peripheral surface is brought into contact with an inner wall of the body cavity, the inflation membrane having regions extended with a predetermined extension rate and having a plurality of low extension regions of a lower extension rate than the predetermined extension rate, formed on a line segment from a base end to a distal end along an insertion axis of the insertion portion.

Abstract: An aspect of the actuator for the moving body in tube according to the present invention is characterized by including: a first expansion/contraction member which includes a first portion that fills between the moving body in tube and the tube wall at the time of being expanded to come into contact with the tube wall, and a second portion that is brought into contact with the tube wall to generate propulsive force, and a part of which is fixed to the moving body in tube; a drive device which drives the first expansion/contraction member; and a control section which controls the first expansion/contraction member and the drive device, and is characterized in that the control section performs control so that the first portion of the first expansion/contraction member is made to become the second portion by the drive by the drive device so as to change the relative position between the moving body in tube and the tube wall.