Abstract: The invention is directed to a class of fiber or strand suspension compositions that may be processed further into viscoelastic pastes or porous solids. The preferred compositions of the invention comprise biologically derived or biologically compatible materials, such as collagen, that can be injected or implanted for tissue augmentation or repair. This invention is also directed to methods of making these compositions and to apparatus that can be used to make the compositions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to bioengineered vascular graft support prostheses prepared from cleaned tissue material derived from animal sources. The bioengineered graft prostheses of the invention are prepared using methods that preserve cell compatibility, strength, and bioremodelability of the processed tissue matrix. The bioengineered graft prostheses are used for implantation, repair, or for use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: The invention is directed to bioengineered tubular graft prostheses prepared from cleaned tissue material derived from animal sources. The bioengineered graft prostheses of the invention are prepared using methods that preserve cell compatibility, strength, and bioremodelability of the processed tissue matrix. The bioengineered graft prostheses are used for implantation, repair, or for use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: The invention is directed to bioengineered graft prostheses prepared from cleaned tissue material derived from animal sources. The bioengineered graft prostheses of the invention are prepared using methods that preserve cell compatibility, strength, and bioremodelability of the processed tissue matrix. The bioengineered graft prostheses are used for implantation, repair, or use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: The invention features modular chambers for culturing cells in which the volume of a chamber can be adjusted without compromising the seal or sterility of the chamber. The invention is based on the principle that the volume of a chamber formed between two plates sandwiching a compressible gasket and a substantially incompressible stop can be adjusted using a gasket that forms a fluid-tight seal between the plates at a plurality of levels of compression. The invention enables the culture of cells between substantially parallel and rigid plates in which a relatively large volume can be used to seed the cells and the holdup volume reduced for perfusion without opening or otherwise disassembling the system to compromise its liquidtightness and sterility. The new closed, modular and scalable cell-culturing chamber can be thus perfused and used to culture cells (e.g., hepatocytes) with high levels of cell function in organ (e.g.

Abstract: The invention is directed to collagenous tissues which have been treated to remove non-collagenous components such as cells, cellular debris, and other extracellular matrix components, such as proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, normally found in native tissues. Treatment of the tissue with alkali, chelating agents, acids and salts removes non-collagenous components from the collagenous tissue matrix while controlling the amount of swelling and dissolution so that the resultant collagen matrix retains its structural organization, integrity and bioremodelable properties. The process circumvents the need to use detergents and enzymes which detrimentally affect the cell compatibility, strength and bioremodelability of the collagen matrix. The collagenous tissue matrix is used for implantation, repair, or use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a class of fiber or strand suspension compositions that may be processed further into viscoelastic pastes or porous solids. The preferred compositions of the invention comprise biologically derived or biologically compatible materials, such as collagen, that can be injected or implanted for tissue augmentation or repair. This invention is also directed to methods of making these compositions and to apparatus that can be used to make the compositions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to bioengineered graft prostheses made from two or more superimposed, chemically bonded layers of processed tissue material prepared from cleaned tissue material derived from animal sources. The bioengineered graft prostheses of the invention are prepared using methods that preserve cell compatibility, strength, and bioremodelability of the processed tissue matrix. The bioengineered graft prostheses are used for implantation, repair, or for use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: The invention is directed to bioengineered vascular graft support prostheses prepared from cleaned tissue material derived from animal sources. The bioengineered graft prostheses of the invention are prepared using methods that preserve cell compatibility, strength, and bioremodelability of the processed tissue matrix. The bioengineered graft prostheses are used for implantation, repair, or for use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: The invention features modular cell culturing devices including one or more flat-plate modules, and is based on the discovery that if the flows of liquid medium and oxygenated fluid are separated by a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane, and the cells are grown attached to the liquid side of the membrane, the device can be used to culture cells with transport of oxygen through the membrane (i.e., direct oxygenation), without regard for the flow rate of the liquid medium passing through the device. The new flow-through cell culturing devices can thus be used to culture cells, e.g., hepatocytes, with high levels of cell function in organ, e.g., liver, assist systems, for production of cells, for production of cell-derived products, such as, proteins or viruses, or for systems to treat biological liquids to remove toxins, such as, ammonia, or add cell-synthesized products, or both.

Abstract: The invention features a liver cell culture comprising hepatocytes that have increased detoxification enzyme activity when isolated from a liver of a donor that had been administered at least one induction agent prior isolation of hepatocyte cells. The induced hepatocytes are used in a bioreactor and cultured to produce hepatocyte cell products or metabolize toxins added to the culture. The bioreactor is, or is an integral part of, a liver assist device used to treat a patient in need of liver assist.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of ice seeding a biological samples, such as cells, harvested tissues, and cellular biological constructs such as culture tissue equivalents. The method initiates the formation of ice that is controllable to allow for maximal viability of the sample to be cryopreserved after it has been subsequently thawed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of treating a patient with diseased or damaged organs comprising administering to said patient a bioremodelable collagen-containing material which promotes the production of structural collagen, vascularization and epithelialization by the ingrowth of patient cells, wherein the material undergoes controlled biodegradation occurring with adequate living cell replacement such that the original implanted graft is bioremodeled by the patient's living cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor for a cell treatment of a medium. Said bioreactor comprises an element defining a chamber in which cells for treating the medium are located, a liquid permeable membrane separating the said chamber from a first channel in which flows the medium to be treated, and a gas permeable membrane separating the said chamber from a second channel in which flows a gas containing oxygen.

Abstract: An apparatus for ice seeding during cryopreservation of biological samples such as cells, harvested tissues, and cellular biological constructs such as culture tissues equivalents wherein ice seeding is performed by discharging a liquefied or chilled gas from a nozzle to the surface container containing the biological sample in cryopreservative. Inside a freezing chamber, containers are placed on racks that are located proximal to a sprayrail containing nozzles. Ice seeding is performed by discharge of liquefied or chilled gas from the nozzles to the container surface at the solid-liquid equilibrium temperature of the cryopreservative. Localized cooling of the container surface by the discharge results in ice seed formation within the container.

Abstract: The invention provides injectable collagen compositions that are reconstituted collagen fiber segments made from acid extracted collagen with telopeptides in a biocompatible carrier, with the collagen concentration in the composition ranging up to 200 mg/mL.

Abstract: The invention is directed to collagenous tissues which have been treated to remove non-collagenous components such as cells, cellular debris, and other extracellular matrix components, such as proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, normally found in native tissues. Treatment of the tissue with alkali, chelating agents, acids and salts removes non-collagenous components from the collagenous tissue matrix while controlling the amount of swelling and dissolution so that the resultant collagen matrix retains its structural organization, integrity and bioremodelable properties. The process circumvents the need to use detergents and enzymes which detrimentally affect the cell compatibility, strength and bioremodelability of the collagen matrix. The collagenous tissue matrix is used for implantation, repair, or use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an efficient cryopreservation package desgin of harvested mammalian tissues and living cultured tissue equivalents made by in vitro technology. The invention involves immersing a mammalian tissue or cultured tissue equivalent in a cryoprotectant solution, agitating the cryoprotectant solution and the immersed tissue to achieve effective penetration of the cryoprotectant solution into the tissue, and then freezing the tissue at a very slow freezing rate. In the freezing step, extracellular ice formation is initiated by seeding. The cryopreserved tissue may be stored for indefinite periods of time prior to use. The cultured tissue equivalent is an in vitro model of the equivalent human tissue, such as skin or cornea, which, when retrieved from storage can be used for transplantation or implantation in vivo or for screening compounds in vitro.

Abstract: This invention is directed to cryopreservation of harvested mammalian tissues and living cultured tissue equivalents made by in vitro technology. The invention involves immersing a mammalian tissue or cultured tissue equivalent in a cryoprotectant solution, agitating the cryoprotectant solution and the immersed tissue to achieve effective penetration of the cryoprotectant solution into the tissue, and then freezing the tissue at a very slow freezing rate at 0.3.degree. C. or less/min. In the freezing step, extracellular ice formation is initiated by seeding. The cryopreserved tissue may be stored for indefinite periods of time prior to use. The cultured tissue equivalent is an in vitro model of the equivalent human tissue, such as skin or cornea, which, when retrieved from storage can be used for transplantation or implantation in vivo or for screening compounds in vitro.

Abstract: An assembly and components therefor are disclosed for use in the field of cell and tissue culture. The assembly includes a base having one or more wells, and a cell culture insert which is mountable to the base such that the bottom wall of the insert is suspended within the well. Each well has a generally rectangular configuration such that openings are provided at each corner of the well for introducing fluid to the well. A cover is provided for protecting the assembly and maintaining the position of the cell culture insert.