Abstract: The invention relates to a bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue matrix, a bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue, a method for the production thereof and the use of the same. Said tissue matrix and bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue are obtained by preparing the necessary natural tissue, conserving at least one vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel connector (10) for surgically connecting two vessels and/or prosthetics to each other, comprising a sleeve-shaped body (1), the walls of which are designed to be elastic, such that the force acting on the ligature or suture is limited to the extent that no pressure points or necroses occur in the vessel. It is made of two substantially rigid outer rings (2), delimiting the sleeve-shaped body, and webs (3) present between the rings, wherein at least regions of individual webs have a shape (4) deviating from a straight line over longer distances, and it has at least one ring-shaped region (5) of higher elasticity between the rigid rings. The connector provides a blood-tight connection of at least two natural or artificial vessels, including prosthetic connections, a prosthesis to a natural vessel, or two prostheses to each other.

Abstract: A method for performing cardiovascular and surgical procedures includes providing a conduit in the form of a graft/canula placed using balloon dilatation catheter and providing a fixing mechanism for the graft/canula. At least one opening is formed through a wall of the heart substantially at the apex. The escape of blood is prevented through the use of the fixing mechanism. Each of these steps is performed while the heart is beating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a bioartificial heart tissue graft, which leads to excellent biomechanical properties on the product and guarantees a high cell freedom with optimal preservation of the matrix. During the method, biological cells of a heart tissue preparation, particularly a heart valve or a heart vessel adhering in and/or to an extracellular matrix, are removed in-vitro. The method comprises that following steps carried out in this sequence: a) providing the heart tissue preparation of natural origin; b) removing cells, which are located in the tissue, from the extracellular matrix with the aid of an acellularization solution consisting of an aqueous solution of at least one strong anionic detergent and at least containing sodium deoxycholate; c) osmotically treating the tissue with distilled or deionized water, and; d) treating the tissue with a physiological saline solution with continuous flow or exchanging of the rinsing solution three times.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for improving cardiac output. The methods involve establishing a fluid communication pathway between the left ventricle and another natural or prosthetic structure. In one method, a conduit is implanted between the left ventricle and the descending aorta where ventricular blood flows from the left ventricle directly into the descending aorta and bypassing the aortic valve. The devices include such conduits and valves for forming the fluid communication pathways.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for improving cardiac output. The methods involve establishing a fluid communication pathway between the left ventricle and another natural or prosthetic structure. In one method, a conduit is implanted between the left ventricle and the descending aorta where ventricular blood flows from the left ventricle directly into the descending aorta and bypassing the aortic valve. The devices include such conduits and valves for forming the fluid communication pathways.

Abstract: The vessel connecting means or the connector for surgically connecting two vessels together comprises a tubular body having a smaller diameter in the center region than at the ends and has at least two penetrations through which pairs of circular surgical needles are inserted. The connector provides a blood-tight connection of two natural or artificial vessels, including prosthesis connections, a prosthesis with a natural vessel, or even two prostheses. The vessel connection can be made very much faster, more easily, and more reliably with the new mechanical connector than with a conventional circumferential surgical suture.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing a three-dimensional bioartificial tissue having viable cells in or on a matrix, and by which cells and matrix can be cultivated into a tissue or a precursor of a tissue, a vascularized tissue of biological materials, obtained by this process, and an experimental reactor for scientific purposes and for producing clinically usable tissues and organs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising embryonic stem cells or haematopoietic stem cells or precursor cells being obtained by differentiation of said embryonic stem cells as well as trophoblasts, trophoblasts precursor and/or placental cell derived from said trophopblasts, all cell types being derived from the same embryonic stem cell origin. Further, the present invention relates to the induction of immune tolerance in an Individual as well as methods for cell, tissue and organ transplantation. The composition according to the present invention may be used in the treatment or therapy of transplantation or gene therapy or in the field of tissue engineering.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for improving cardiac output. The methods involve establishing a fluid communication pathway between the left ventricle and another natural or prosthetic structure. In one method, a conduit is implanted between the left ventricle and the descending aorta where ventricular blood flows from the left ventricle directly into the descending aorta and bypassing the aortic valve. The devices include such conduits and valves for forming the fluid communication pathways.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue matrix, a bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue, a method for the production thereof and the use of the same. Said tissue matrix and bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue are obtained by preparing the necessary natural tissue, conserving at least one vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a recipient-specific transformed synthetic or natural acellularized matrix for the production of an individual venous valve prosthesis.

Abstract: A stent made of a self-expandable or balloon-expandable metal mesh fabric that can be widened to a diameter larger than that of the descending aorta. The stent has a flexible lining of vessel-replacing material, wherein the lining covers it at least partly in longitudinal direction and forms a tubular segment which projects beyond the end of the stent at least at one end and which functions as the vascular prosthesis. Such implantable arrangements (1) make it possible to achieve short surgical times, especially during the treatment of aortic arch aneurysms involving the cephalic arteries.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing a three-dimensional bioartificial tissue having viable cells in or on a matrix, and by which cells and matrix can be cultivated into a tissue or a precursor of a tissue, a vascularized tissue of biological materials, obtained by this process, and an experimental reactor for scientific purposes and for producing clinically usable tissues and organs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing a three-dimensional bioartificial tissue having viable cells in or on a matrix, and by which cells and matrix can be cultivated into a tissue or a precursor of a tissue, a vascularized tissue of biological materials, obtained by this process, and an experimental reactor for scientific purposes and for producing clinically usable tissues and organs.

Abstract: Cells with the capability to generate excitation in a heart muscle tissue are used in this invention as biological cardiac pacemakers. That is done by suspending the dissociated cells and injecting them at a suitable position into the heart of a patient. The suspension can contain medicinal additives.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing a three-dimensional bioartificial tissue having viable cells in or on a matrix, and by which cells and matrix can be cultivated into a tissue or a precursor of a tissue, a vascularized tissue of biological materials, obtained by this process, and an experimental reactor for scientific purposes and for producing clinically usable tissues and organs.