Abstract: The present invention is a method of forming egressing hair shafts comprising making a wound in the skin and placing hair follicle progenitor cells on the wound, wherein an egressing hair shaft is formed from the hair follicle progenitor cells. The present invention is also a method of forming new skin comprising making a wound in the skin and placing skin forming cells on the wound, wherein new skin is formed from the skin forming cells.

Abstract: Porous, bioabsorbable scaffolds for tissue engineering of human hair follicles, methods for their manufacture and methods of their use in creating new hair.

Abstract: A method assay for rapidly and reproducibly generating hair follicles from dissociated epithelial and mesenchymal cells is disclosed. The method serves both as a tool for measuring the trichogenic (i.e., hair growth-inducing) property of cells and for studying the mechanisms dissociated cells employ to assemble an organ. In a method of this application dissociated cells, isolated from newborn mouse skin, are injected into adult mouse truncal skin, hair follicles develop. This process involves the aggregation of epithelial cells to form clusters which are sculpted by apoptosis to generate “infundibular cysts”. From the “infundibular cysts” hair germs form followed by follicular buds and then pegs which grow asymmetrically to differentiate into cycling mature pilosebaceous structures. Using various techniques, exposure of the “infundibular cysts” by puncturing, piercing, or scratching the skin and, in an approach, covering the exposed cysts with a wound dressing material produced egressing hair follicles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved scaffold which is constructed to mimic the architecture of the native hair follicle. The present invention also relates to the use of specific compositions and methods of manufacture to produce scaffolds that combine biocompatibility with the desired rates of bioabsorption. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a biomimetic hair follicle graft and a method for seeding the graft with cells and implanting the graft into the skin where the growth of a new hair shaft is desired. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for hair multiplication in which cells are multiplied in culture and aliquoted into a multitude of bioabsorbable scaffolds in combination with cultured keratinocytes or other allogenic cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filamentary structure for the introduction of agents into a living host, comprising a filament comprising a solid core and a porous sheath which coats at least a portion of the solid core. When the filamentary structure is to be permanently implanted into a living host, both the solid core and the porous sheath are bioabsorbable. When the filamentary structure is to be temporarily implanted into the skin of a living host to deliver agents, such as cells, therein, the porous sheath is preferably bioabsorbable but the core need only be biocompatable, not bioabsorabable. The devices and methods of the present invention enable one to regenerate hair follicles, to introduce genetically altered cells or encapsulated cells to a living host transdermally, to regenerate bones, and to deliver drugs transdermally.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filamentary structure for the introduction of agents into a living host, comprising a filament comprising a solid core and a porous sheath which coats at least a portion of the solid core. When the filamentary structure is to be permanently implanted into a living host, both the solid core and the porous sheath are bioabsorbable. When the filamentary structure is to be temporarily implanted into the skin of a living host to deliver agents, such as cells, therein, the porous sheath is preferably bioabsorbable but the core need only be biocompatable, not bioabsorabable. The devices and methods of the present invention enable one to regenerate hair follicles, to introduce genetically altered cells or encapsulated cells to a living host transdermally, to regenerate bones, and to deliver drugs transdermally.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioabsorbable fibers, comprising a semicrystalline fiber-forming core polymer and an amorphous sheath polymer, wherein the core polymer and sheath polymer are separately melt extruded and connected to one another through an adhesive bond. The present invention also relates to reinforced composites of the bioabsorbable fibers, and to devices comprising the reinforced composites. The devices are suitable for in vivo implantation. Some embodiments of the present devices can also support high loads, making then useful for fracture fixation and spinal fusion. The invention also relates to methods of making the various materials of the invention.