Device and method for repair of urological structures

Abstract

A tissue engineering construct made from a nonwoven fabric. The fabric is made from first and second staple fibers. The first staple fibers are made from a first biocompatible, bioabsorbable material, and the second staple fibers are made from a second biocompatible, bioabsorbable material. The first material has a melting temperature lower than the second material. The fabric is formed into a three-dimensional construct suitable for the repair of urinary tract structures.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An acellular device for urological repair, comprising:
 a device comprising a nonwoven fabric, wherein said fabric comprises staple fibers further comprising a first biocompatible, bioabsorbable material a second biocompatible, bioabsorbable material, where the first biocompatible bioabsorbable material is poly(p-dioxanone).   and wherein said device has a shape suitable for urologic structure repair.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first biocompatible material comprises poly(p-diaoxanone). 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second biocompatible material comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(glycolide) and poly(glycolide-co-lactide). 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein in the shape is a three-dimensional shape selected from the group consisting of spheres, hemispheres, prisms, cylinders, cones, and combinations thereof 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein nonwoven fabric comprises about 50% to about 75% by weight of the first biocompatible, bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second staple fibers have a length from about 0.75 inches to about 2.0 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device has an internal cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shape is suitable for bladder repair. 
     
     
         9 . A method of repairing a urinary structure comprising the steps of:
 A. providing an acellular repair device comprising:
 a nonwoven fabric, wherein said fabric comprises the staple fibers further comprising a first biocompatible, bioabsorbable material and a second biocompatible, bioabsorbable material, where the first biocompatible bioabsorbable material is poly(p-dioxanone), and wherein said fabric is formed into a three-dimensional shape having an opening and a cavity suitable for urinary structure repair; and, 
   B. attaching the opening on the acellular repair device to a urinary structure.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the first biocompatible material comprises poly(p-diaoxanone). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second biocompatible material comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(glycolide) and poly(glycolide-co-lactide). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein in the shape is selected from the group consisting of spheres, hemispheres, prisms, cylinders, cones, and combinations thereof 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the nonwoven fabric comprises about 50% to about 75% by weight of the first biocompatible, bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second staple fibers have a length from about 0.75 inches to about 2.0 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the device has an internal cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the urinary structure comprises a bladder. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the urinary structure comprises a bladder. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising the additional steps of performing a partial bladder cystectomy and attaching the urinary repair device to a remaining section of the bladder.