Graft for directed vascular and lymphatic regeneration and methods to guide endothelial cell assembly

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a therapeutic device (graft) comprising a collagen membrane having an aligned uniaxial or biaxial structure such that mammalian cells plated on the membrane align mainly along the direction of the collagen fibrils. In a further aspect, a graft comprising a substantially tubular body, wherein the body has an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least one lumen extending therethrough such that a fluid flow through the lumen can direct mammalian cell migration. In a further aspect, mammalian cells or growth and angiogenic factors can be optionally attached to the exterior and/or interior surface of the substantially tubular body. In various aspects, the graft can be used as a vascular prosthesis, a stent, or a nerve regeneration scaffold. Methods of preparing and implanting same are also provided.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.