Cell delivery patch for myocardial tissue engineering

Patent Number: 7,396,537

Various types of stem cell therapeutics are being attempted for cardiac conditions. On the one hand, it is known that infarcts induce mobilization of stem cells, and that this may be part of an endogenous regenerative response. Accordingly, the intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells has demonstrated a regenerative activity in patients after heart attacks. This approach may be useful for other types of stem cells such as the Endometrial Regenerative Cells or cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells, both of which can be used as allogeneic, off the shelf, products.

One straight forward approach of delivery of stem cells into injured heart tissue includes the use of seeding stem cells into a patch and delivering that patch to the cardiac tissue. This is what the current patent is teaching.

The patent's main subject matter can be rapidly ascertained by looking at the first independent claim, which essentially covers a patch that is useful for administration of cells into an animal's heart. The patch is made of a hydrogel layer composed of a collagen, cells, and molecules that allow the cells to grow and maintain viability. The patch also contains another layer made of a mesh that forms a composite construct. Additionally the patch contains a reinforcement layer that covers the patch and is flexible so as to be able to beat with the heart.

This patent is useful because it appears not to be restricted to particular growth factors or cell types for delivery.

View this patent on the USPTO website.