Elastic tissue matrix derived hydrogel

Abstract

A tissue-derived hydrogel, as well as methods of making and using such hydrogels, are provided.

1 . A tissue filler comprising:
 an arterial tissue matrix that has been treated with elastase to produce a swollen and softened arterial tissue matrix having a disrupted elastin network and in the form of a moldable putty that will conform to the shape of a space in which it is implanted, and wherein the arterial tissue matrix has an increased malleability after the elastase treatment as compared to the acellular tissue matrix prior to elastase treatment.   
     
     
         2 . The tissue filler of  claim 1 , wherein the arterial tissue matrix is aortic tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue filler of  claim 2 , wherein the aortic tissue is porcine aortic tissue. 
     
     
         4 . The tissue filler of  claim 1 , wherein the arterial tissue matrix is acellular. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue filler of  claim 1 , wherein the elastase-treated arterial tissue matrix expands to a volume that is 200-300% larger than the volume of untreated arterial tissue when placed in an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue filler of  claim 4 , wherein the arterial tissue matrix can expand after implantation into a tissue to fill a space left by a tissue removal operation. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue filler of  claim 1 , wherein the arterial tissue matrix is treated with elastase at a concentration of between 0.021 and 5.35 units per ml for 5 to 96 hours. 
     
     
         8 . A method of treating a tissue of the face or neck, comprising:
 implanting a tissue filler into the tissue, wherein the tissue filler comprises an arterial tissue matrix from which some but not all of the elastin has been removed, and wherein the arterial tissue matrix used to prepare the tissue filler has been subjected to at least one round of freezing and thawing followed by removal of at least some elastin from the arterial tissue matrix, and wherein the arterial tissue matrix is not cross-linked prior to implantation.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the treatment with elastase causes the arterial tissue matrix to substantially swell and soften. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the arterial tissue matrix is aortic tissue. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the aortic tissue is porcine aortic tissue. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the arterial tissue matrix is decellularized. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a non-denaturing detergent solution is used to decellularize the arterial tissue matrix. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein decellularizing the arterial tissue matrix includes placing the arterial tissue matrix in a composition containing detergent for at least 24 hours. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the elastin has been removed from the arterial tissue matrix by exposing the arterial tissue matrix to elastase at a concentration of between about 0.021 and 5.35 units/ml for 5 to 96 hours. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the arterial tissue matrix is placed in the solution containing elastase for 5 to 14 hours in order to partially degrade elastin. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tissue filler swells to fill a space in the tissue of the face or neck. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tissue filler is implanted after removal of a tumor from the face or neck. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tissue filler enhances the coagulation of blood at the site of the tumor removal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tissue filler promotes tissue repair and regeneration. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tissue filler is impregnated with a pharmaceutical agent and releases the pharmaceutical agent over time as the implanted tissue filler is gradually dissolved and reabsorbed into the tissue. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent is an anticancer agent, a growth factor, a pain relief agent, an antimicrobial agent, or combinations thereof.