Bladder reconstruction

Abstract

The invention is directed to methods and devices for the reconstruction, repair, augmentation or replacement of laminarily organized luminal organs or tissue structures in a patient in need of such treatment. The device comprises a biocompatible synthetic or natural polymeric matrix shaped to conform to at least a part of the luminal organ or tissue structure with a first cell population on or in a first area and a second cell population such as a smooth muscle cell population in a second area of the polymeric matrix. The method involves grafting the device to an area in a patient in need of treatment. The polymeric matrix comprises a biocompatible and biodegradable material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for the replacement or repair of a bladder, or portion of a bladder, in a human patient in need of such treatment comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a biocompatible synthetic, or natural, polymeric matrix structure in the shape of a bladder, or portion of a bladder, wherein said polymeric matrix is coated with a biocompatible and biodegradable shape-setting material comprising a liquefied poly-lactide-co-glycolide copolymer;   b. depositing at least one first cell population on or in said polymeric matrix; and   c. implanting the shaped polymeric matrix of step (b) into the human patient at a site of a bladder for the formation of a laminarily organized functional bladder structure.