Fibrin microthreads
AssigneeWorcester Polytechnic Institute
InventorsKevin G. Cornwell, George D. Pins, Kristen Billiar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Compositions that include fibrin microthreads are provided. The compositions can include one or more therapeutic agents including cytokines and interleukins, extracellular matrix proteins and/or biologically active fragments thereof (e.g., RGD-containing peptides), hormones, vitamins, nucleic acids, chemotherapeutics, antibiotics, and cells. Also provided are methods of making compositions that include fibrin microthreads. Also provided are methods for using the compositions to repair or ameliorate damaged or defective organs or tissues.
Claims10
1-50. (canceled)
A method of repairing a tissue, comprising suturing a tissue in need of repair with a fibrin microthread to cause tissue repair, wherein the fibrin microthread is formed by a process comprising the steps of:
- combining a first volume of fibrinogen and a second volume of a molecule capable of forming fibrin from the fibrinogen to form a mixture;
- transferring the mixture to a lumen containing device;
- disposing a distal end of the lumen containing device in an aqueous bath;
- moving the distal end of the lumen containing device through the aqueous bath while extruding the mixture from the distal end of the lumen containing device into the aqueous bath;
- and
- incubating the mixture in the aqueous bath for a predetermined incubation time to form the fibrin microthread.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.