Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A genitourinary cell-matrix structure for implantation into a human comprising: a biocompatible, biodegradable polymeric matrix comprising a plurality of fibers in a nutrient environment; and parenchymal cells of human genitourinary origin attached to and within the matrix in vitro, wherein the matrix provides a scaffold for cell attachment and has a surface area sufficient to provide free exchange of nutrients and waste by diffusion for attached cells to survive in vitro prior to implantation and in the absence of vascularization, and wherein the matrix is formed in a shape for reconstruction of a genitourinary structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A genitourinary cell-matrix structure for implantation into a human comprising: a biocompatible, biodegradable polymeric matrix comprising a plurality of fibers in a nutrient environment; and parenchymal cells of human genitourinary origin attached to and within the matrix in vitro, wherein the matrix provides a scaffold for cell attachment and has a surface area sufficient to provide free exchange of nutrients and waste by diffusion for attached cells to survive in vitro prior to implantation and in the absence of vascularization, and wherein the matrix is formed in a shape for reconstruction of a genitourinary structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyanhydride, polyorthoester, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid and combinations thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising coatings on the the polymer selected from the group consisting of basement membrane components, agar, agarose, gelatin, gum arabic, collagens, fibronectin, laminin, glycosaminoglycans, attachment peptides, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the matrix forms a flexible structure conformable to a biological surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the matrix is formed of a mesh of open nonwoven fibers.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for making a genitourinary cell-matrix structure for implantation into a human comprising: providing a biocompatible, biodegradable polymeric matrix comprising a plurality of fibers in a nutrient environment; and allowing parenchymal cells of human genitourinary origin to attach to and within the matrix to form a genitourinary structure in vitro, wherein the matrix provides a scaffold for cell attachment and has a surface area sufficient to provide free exchange of nutrients and waste by diffusion for the attached cells to survive in vitro prior to implantation and in the absence of vascularization.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for making a genitourinary cell-matrix structure for implantation into a human comprising: providing a biocompatible, biodegradable polymeric matrix comprising a plurality of fibers in a nutrient environment; and allowing parenchymal cells of human genitourinary origin to attach to and within the matrix to form a genitourinary structure in vitro, wherein the matrix provides a scaffold for cell attachment and has a surface area sufficient to provide free exchange of nutrients and waste by diffusion for the attached cells to survive in vitro prior to implantation and in the absence of vascularization.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyanhydride, polyorthoester, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid and combinations thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising coating the polymer with a material selected from the group consisting of basement membrane components, agar, agarose, gelatin, gum arabic, collagens, fibronectin, laminin, glycosaminoglycans, attachment peptides, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the matrix is formed as a flexible structure conformable to a biological surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising implanting the structure to form a urological prosthesis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising allowing the cells to attach on a matrix, allowing the cells to proliferate on the matrix in vitro in a nutrient media, then implanting the matrix in vivo.