Abstract: The present invention provides a tissue regeneration substrate that has the ability to release a basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and like cell growth factors in a sustained manner, into which cells can easily enter, and that is suitably used for regeneration of tissues. Specifically, the present invention provides a tissue regeneration substrate that comprises a cell growth factor adsorbed in a bioabsorbable porous substrate that contains collagen and gelatin, and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: An antiadhesive material that is excellent in biocompatibility and bioabsorbability, as well as excellent strength in suturing and bonding, is provided. A reinforcing material 12 made of a biodegradable polymer is placed in a gelatin solution so that the reinforcing material 12 is impregnated with the solution, and the gelatin is caused to gelate and dried. By so doing, an antiadhesive material in which a gelatin film 11 and the reinforcing material 12 are integrated is obtained. The reinforcing material 12 preferably is arranged in a portion of the gelatin film 11 to be subjected to suturing, and preferably is arranged along a periphery of the gelatin film 11. The gelatin film 11 preferably is a cross-linked gelatin film, and the reinforcing material 12 preferably is a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a material for revascularization which enables the regeneration of a blood vessel at an extremely high efficiency by being transplanted into a defect of the blood vessel. The present invention provides a tubular material for revascularization comprising a foamed body comprising a bioabsorbable material, a reinforcing member comprising a bioabsorbable material for reinforcing the foamed body, and a reinforcing yarn comprising a bioabsorbable material for reinforcing the foamed body, wherein the reinforcing yarn and the reinforcing member are located at the center or outer face of the foamed body, the inner face thereof is the foamed body, the reinforcing yarn is wound around in a spiral-shaped, ring-shaped or X-shaped manner, and the reinforcing yarn comprises a glycolide-?-caprolactone copolymer.

Abstract: The scaffold for culturing a cardiovascular tissue of the present invention is a scaffold for culturing a cardiovascular tissue, which is tubular, and comprises a foamed polymer comprising a bioabsorbable material reinforced with a reinforcing material comprising a bioabsorbable material, the foamed polymer comprising lactide (D, L, DL isomer)-?-caprolactone copolymer containing lactide (D, L, DL isomer) in a content of 50 to 54 mole % and ?-caprolactone in a content of 50 to 46 mole %, and the reinforcing material being covered with the foamed polymer.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a material for revascularization which enables the regeneration of a blood vessel at an extremely high efficiency by being transplanted into a defect of the blood vessel. The present invention provides a tubular material for revascularization comprising a foamed body comprising a bioabsorbable material, a reinforcing member comprising a bioabsorbable material for reinforcing the foamed body, and a reinforcing yarn comprising a bioabsorbable material for reinforcing the foamed body, wherein the reinforcing yarn and the reinforcing member are located at the center or outer face of the foamed body, the inner face thereof is the foamed body, the reinforcing yarn is wound around in a spiral-shaped, ring-shaped or X-shaped manner, and the reinforcing yarn comprises a glycolide-?-caprolactone copolymer.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a prosthetic material for living organs, which can sufficiently withstand the arterial pressure and thereby can prevent leakage of blood or rupture of blood vessels, and which serves as a scaffold for vascular tissue regeneration, and does not necessitate repeated surgeries or the like. The invention is a prosthetic material for living organs, which comprises a laminate including a film layer and a porous layer, said film layer comprising a bioabsorbable material, said porous layer comprising a bioabsorbable material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for cartilage tissue engineering using scaffolds in simulated microgravity culture. This invention enables engineering of homogeneous cartilage tissue using bone marrow cells in a more rapid manner in a simulated microgravity environment, while allowing control of the configuration of the resulting cartilage tissue.

Abstract: The scaffold for culturing a cardiovascular tissue of the present invention is a scaffold for culturing a cardiovascular tissue, which is tubular, and comprises a foamed polymer comprising a bioabsorbable material reinforced with a reinforcing material comprising a bioabsorbable material, the foamed polymer comprising lactide (D, L, DL isomer)-?-caprolactone copolymer containing lactide (D, L, DL isomer) in a content of 50 to 54 mole % and ?-caprolactone in a content of 50 to 46 mole %, and the reinforcing material being covered with the foamed polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tissue regeneration substrate that has the ability to release a basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and like cell growth factors in a sustained manner, into which cells can easily enter, and that is suitably used for regeneration of tissues. Specifically, the present invention provides a tissue regeneration substrate that comprises a cell growth factor adsorbed in a bioabsorbable porous substrate that contains collagen and gelatin, and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: The substrate for culturing a cardiovascular tissue of the present invention is a substrate for culturing a cardiovascular tissue, which is tubular, and comprises a foam comprising a bioabsorbable material reinforced with a reinforcing material comprising a bioabsorbable material, the foam comprising lactide (D, L, DL isomer)-?-caprolactone copolymer containing lactide (D, L, DL isomer) in a content of 50 to 54 mole % and ?-caprolactone in a content of 50 to 46 mole %, and the reinforcing material being covered with the foam.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial dura mater characterized by comprising at least a sheet of a biodegradable and bioabsorbable synthetic polymer and having a storage modulus at ordinary temperature of from 1×107 to 5×108 (Pa); and a process for producing an artificial dura mater characterized by dissolving a lactide/?-caprolactone copolymer (in a molar ratio ranging from 40/60 to 60/40) in a solvent, filtering the resultant solution and casting the same followed by air drying.

Abstract: A base material for tissue regeneration (10) includes a collagen sponge (11) formed in a three-dimensional shape and a mesh support member (12) that supports the collagen sponge (11) in an externally accessible state. In the structure of the base material for tissue regeneration (10), the mesh support member (12) is provided to surround the collagen sponge (11). Even when the collagen sponge (11) formed in the three-dimensional shape has a difficulty in keeping its shape, the mesh support (12) effectively functions to keep the three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial dura mater characterized by comprising at least a sheet of a biodegradable and bioabsorbable synthetic polymer and having a storage modulus at ordinary temperature of from 1×107 to 5×108 (Pa); and a process for producing an artificial dura mater characterized by dissolving a lactide/&egr;-caprolactone copolymer (in a molar ratio ranging from 40/60 to 60/40) in a solvent, filtering the resultant solution and casting the same followed by air drying.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial dura mater characterized by comprising at least a sheet of a biodegradable and bioabsorbable synthetic polymer and having a storage modulus at ordinary temperature of from 1×107 to 5×108 (Pa); and a process for producing an artificial dura mater characterized by dissolving a lactide/&egr;-caprolactone copolymer (in a molar ratio ranging from 40/60 to 60/40) in a solvent, filtering the resultant solution and casting the same followed by air drying.

Abstract: An artificial cornea comprising an optical element made of an optically transparent material, having a front surface and a posterior surface, and a skirt provided so as to support with surrounding at least a part of the optical element, characterized in that the skirt is provided with a flange on its side facing the interior of eyes during implantation of the artificial cornea and the flange radially protrudes outward from the skirt. The artificial cornea can be well compatible with ocular tissue, prevent leakage of intraocular aqueous humor and intraocular invasion of bacteria, reduce stimulation on palpebral conjunctiva and further, inhibit progression of the down growth, and which has no possibility of reduction in transparency of the optical element due to the down growth as well as detachment and extrusion from the implanted state.

Abstract: The invention provides an artificial dura mater comprising a sheet made of bioabsorbable synthetic polymers formed from copolymers of lactic acid and .epsilon.-caprolactone.

Abstract: An artificial hair having a physiologically active surface which is formed by a such manner that protein (collagen) molecules are bonded chemically to the graft-polymerized chains introduced onto the surface of the artificial hair. When the artificial hair is implanted into a human body skin, the collagen layer 11 fixed to the surface of the artificial hair having a root part 12 is integrally assimilated and bonded to collagens in the epidermis 4, the corium layer 5, the subcutaneous tissue 6 and the galea 7, whereby the artificial hair can be firmly fixed. Thus, this artificial hair exhibits a low infection rate, a high success rate and cannot be accompanied by down-growth phenomenon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scleral plug made of lactic acid copolymer; a scleral plug containing a drug that is designed to gradually release the drug into a vitreous body; and a scleral plug that is used to treat or prevent diseases of the retina or to promote recovery from damage after vitreous surgery taking advantage of its sustained release action for drug delivery.

Abstract: A bio-degradable/absorbable barrier membrane is coated thereon with sucrose esters of fatty acids. The sucrose esters of fatty acids is one or more members selected from the group consisting of monoester, diester, and polyester. The fatty acid is one or more members selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, and myristic acid. These higher fatty acids may be mixed with a lower fatty acid.

Abstract: A cellulosic polymer wherein at least a part of the hydroxyl groups of the cellulosic polymer is modified as represented by the following general formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl group, X is a strong negative atomic group, and Y is ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be the same or different and each represents a member selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl group and a C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 cycloalkyl group, or ##STR3## Y is wherein R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 may be the same or different and each represents a member selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl group, a C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 cycloalkyl group and a C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl group, and n is from 1 to 10. Using the cellulosic polymer, a blood-treating device is assembled.