University of Michigan

Robert G Dennis

Paul E Kosnik

William M Kuzon, Jr

Ellen M Arruda

John A Faulkner

David J Mooney

William Leo Murphy

Paul S Cederna

Ravi K Birla

Sarah C Calve

Keith R Baar

Gregory H Borschel

Neil M Cole

Marvin O Boluyl

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the production of scaffolds, such scaffolds to be used for a variety of purposes, including tissue engineering. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of fused crystals, such as fused salt crystals to form a framework. The methods for producing the scaffolds of this invention improve the porosity, interconnectivity and ease of manufacture as compared to prior art methods.

Tissue engineering scaffolds

A system and method are provided for forming a connective tissue construct, such as a tendon construct, in vitro. A substrate is provided with at least two anchors secured thereto in spaced relationship. Fibroblast cells are provided on the substrate in the absence of a synthetic matrix, where at least some of the cells are in contact with the anchors. The cells are cultured in vitro under conditions to allow the cells to self-organize and become confluent between the anchors, where the anchors are receptive to the cells and allow the cells to attach thereto while permitting the cells to detach from the substrate to form a three-dimensional connective tissue construct.

System and method for forming a connective tissue construct

A system and method for forming a cardiac muscle construct are provided, the system including a substrate and cardiac cells provided on the substrate in the absence of a scaffold. The cardiac cells are cultured in vitro under conditions to allow the cells to become confluent and detach from the substrate to form a three-dimensional cardiac muscle construct.

System and method for forming a cardiac muscle construct

A mammalian muscle construct and a method for producing the construct are provided. The mammalian muscle construct includes a substrate and a plurality of separate anchors secured to the substrate. Myogenic precursor cells are provided on the substrate with at least some of the cells in contact with the anchors. The myogenic precursor cells are cultured in vitro under conditions to allow the cells to become confluent between the anchors. The anchors are receptive to the cells and allow the cells to attach thereto, such that placement of the anchors controls the size and shape of the muscle construct formed. Specifically, the anchors include separate fragments of biocompatible material secured to the substrate, wherein cell adhesion molecules are associated with each fragment to facilitate attachment of the precursor cells to the fragment.

Mammalian muscle construct and method for producing same

A method for chemically acellularizing a biological tissue sample, such as a peripheral nerve, is provided. The method includes disrupting the cell membranes of the biological tissue sample, and then denaturing intracellular proteins within the cells of the tissue sample and removing the denatured proteins from the cells while preserving the extracellular matrix to produce an acellularized tissue construct.

Method for chemically acellularizing a biological tissue sample

A system and method are provided for adaptively controlling a muscle tissue specimen in order to emulate its in vivo environment. The system includes at least one stimulator for stimulating the muscle tissue specimen based on an initial control signal, wherein the stimulation preferably includes electrical and/or mechanical stimulation. A response signal is generated based on a response of the muscle tissue specimen to the step of stimulating. The response signal preferably represents force production of the tissue specimen. A controller is provided for modifying the initial control signal based on the response signal to obtain a final control signal, wherein the final control signal is used to elicit a desired response from the muscle tissue specimen. Advantageously, the system and method of the present invention can be used to adaptively control the stimulation of a muscle tissue specimen in a tissue culture environment.

System and method for emulating an in vivo environment of a tissue specimen

System and method for emulating an in vivo environment of a muscle

A Michelson interferometer is used to determine the displacement of a force loaded member, the loaded member having a reflective surface applied thereto to reflect light back to a beam splitter in the interferometer apparatus. Light is also reflected back from a reflective surface attached to a stationary member. The interaction of the reflected light from the movable and stationary member interacts to form an interference fringe pattern which may be used to determine the amount of displacement and, therefor, the force applied to the loaded member. The apparatus is comprised of a material which is substantially resistive to thermal deformation.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Robert G Dennis