Vascularized tissue graft

• US 7,998,735 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2004
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Victorian Tissue Engineering Centre Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Victorian Tissue Engineering Centre Pty Limited
• Inventors: Messina, Aurora, Penington, Anthony J, Knight, Kenneth R, Morrison, Wayne A
• Primary Examiner(s): DRISCOLL, LORA E BARNHART
• Application Number:
  US10/888,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20050056291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,595 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 435/325
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/062 Apparatus for the production of blood vessels made from natural tissue or with layers of living cells prostheses made from natural tissue or living cells A61L27/507
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/44 Vessels; Vascular smooth muscle cells; Endothelial cells; Endothelial progenitor cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/08 for producing artificial tissue or for ex-vivo cultivation of tissue prostheses A61F2/00, grafts A61L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/14 Scaffolds; Matrices in general C12N5/0068
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/04 Filters; Permeable or porous membranes or plates, e.g. dialysis
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/10 Perfusion
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2510/00 Genetically modified cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2533/30 Synthetic polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2533/40 Polyhydroxyacids, e.g. polymers of glycolic or lactic acid (PGA, PLA, PLGA); Bioresorbable polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2533/90 Substrates of biological origin, e.g. extracellular matrix, decellularised tissue
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0062 General methods for three-dimensional culture
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0653 Adipocytes; Adipose tissue

Abstract

Improved methods for tissue engineering including tissue transplantation, augmentation and regeneration are described. These methods utilize a support matrix in the generation of an anatomical construct that includes donor vascularized tissue. The support matrix may be devised such that it has size and shape adapted to simulate the dimensions of tissue to be transplanted, augmented and/or repaired.

Claims

1. A method of growing vascularized adipose tissue to a size and shape that stimulates a volume or structure of a tissue to be augmented at a desired site in a donor subject, comprising:

a) creating a functional circulation on a vascular pedicle comprising fat or adipose tissue attached thereto in a donor subject;

b) enclosing the vascular pedicle within a fabricated chamber, the chamber having internal dimensions which are of said size and shape, wherein the chamber is filled with added reconstituted basement membrane preparation;

c) implanting the chamber containing the vascular pedicle into the donor subject at a site where such an anatomical construct can be created; and

d) leaving the chamber in the implantation site for a period sufficient that donor vascularized adipose tissue grows to the size and shape of the chamber, wherein the donor vascularized adipose tissue is viable for transfer to the desired site.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transferring the donor vascularized adipose tissue to a desired site of a recipient, thereby augmenting the volume or structure of tissue at the desired site of the recipient.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising anastomosing blood vessels of the donor vascularized adipose tissue to an artery and vein at said desired site.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reconstituted basement membrane preparation comprises MATRIGEL™

preparation.