Augmentation of organ function
First Claim
1. An artificial organ construct for augmenting function of an organ comprising:
- a three-dimensional biomatrix formed by perfusing a matrix material with at least one population of cultured cells, such that the cells attach to the matrix material and produce a tissue layer capable of augmenting organ function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and compositions for augmenting organ functions using small-scale matrix implants generated by seeding tissue-specific or undifferentiated cells onto a matrix materials (e.g., a wafer, sponge, or hydrogel). The seeded matrix composition can then be implanted and will develop into an organ-supplementing structure in vivo. Continued growth and differentiation of the seeded cells on the implanted matrix results in the formation of a primitive vascular system in the tissue. The primitive vascular system can then develop into a mature vascular system, and can also support the growth and development of additional cultured cell populations. The seeded matrix system can be used to introduce a variety of different cells and tissues in vivo.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. An artificial organ construct for augmenting function of an organ comprising:
a three-dimensional biomatrix formed by perfusing a matrix material with at least one population of cultured cells, such that the cells attach to the matrix material and produce a tissue layer capable of augmenting organ function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for augmenting organ function comprising:
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perfusing at least one population of cultured cells on or into a matrix material, such that cells attach to the matrix material;
culturing the cells in the matrix material to produce a tissue layer capable of differentiating into an artificial organ contruct, thereby producing a three-dimensional biomatrix;
implanting the three dimensional biomatrix into at least one target site in the organ, such that tissue layer of the three dimensional biomatrix differentiates to provide a gain of function to the organ, thereby augmenting organ function at the target site. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for augmenting kidney function comprising:
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perfusing a population of cultured renal cells on, or into a matrix material, such that renal cells attach to the matrix material;
culturing the cells in the matrix material until the renal cells produce a tissue layer capable of differentiating into a nephron structure, or part of a nephron structure, thereby producing a three dimensional biomatrix; and
implanting the three dimensional biomatrix into at least one target site in the kidney, such that tissue layer of the three dimensional biomatrix differentiates into a nephron structure, or part of a nephron structure, thereby augmenting kidney function at the target site. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An artificial kidney function augmenting construct comprising:
a three-dimensional biomatrix formed by perfusing a matrix material with a population of renal cells, such that the renal cells attach to the matrix and produce a tissue layer that differentiates into a nephron structure, or a part of a nephron structure, thereby augmenting kidney function. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
Specification