Cardiac valve replacement
OwnerRichard A. Hopkins, Diane Hoffman-Kiminventors
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Abstract
The invention provides a replacement heart valve which contains an acellular matrix as a structural scaffold. The scaffold is seeded with isolated myofibroblasts and/or endothelial cells prior to implantation into a recipient mammal.
Claims22
A bioprosthetic heart valve comprising an acellular matrix and isolated myofibroblasts wherein at least 60% of the total collagen produced by said myofibroblasts is type I collagen.
A valve comprising an acellular matrix and an isolated myofibroblast, wherein less than 25% of total collagen production by said myofibroblast is type III collagen.
A method of enhancing production of type I collagen by an isolated myofibroblast, comprising culturing said myofibroblast under pulsatile flow conditions.
A method of enhancing viability and contractile activity of myofibroblasts in vitro comprising culturing said myofibroblast under pulsatile flow conditions.
An isolated myofibroblast, wherein said myofibroblast is genetically altered to increase type I collagen production relative to type III collagen production.
A method of manufacturing an artificial heart valve, comprising
- (a) providing an acellular matrix,
- (b) seeding said matrix with isolated myofibroblasts;
- and
- (c) culturing said myofibroblasts under pulsatile flow conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.