U.S. patent application number 13/608475 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-03 for human amniotic membrane lyophilized grafts.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALPHA TISSUE, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Terry W. Broussard. Invention is credited to Terry W. Broussard.
Application Number | 20140186461 13/608475 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51017458 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140186461 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Broussard; Terry W. |
July 3, 2014 |
Human Amniotic Membrane Lyophilized Grafts
Abstract
Described herein are human amniotic membrane tissue grafts
derived from the placenta. The grafts are composed of three layers
as seen in the amniotic membrane in utero. These grafts are
processed using physiologic solutions, lyophilized and terminal
sterilized (via gamma irradiation in a frozen state) that thereby
preserves the graft in such a manner as to retain the naturally
occurring biological properties of the amniotic membrane and offer
a sterile graft for transplantation. By dehydration via
lyophilization and terminal sterilization, the graft has the
advantage of storage at ambient temperatures for prolonged periods
of time prior to transplantation.
Inventors: |
Broussard; Terry W.; (The
Woodlands, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Broussard; Terry W. |
The Woodlands |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ALPHA TISSUE, INC.
Stone Mountain
GA
|
Family ID: |
51017458 |
Appl. No.: |
13/608475 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
424/582 ;
623/23.72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 27/60 20130101;
A61L 27/3662 20130101; A61L 27/3604 20130101; A61L 2430/10
20130101; A61L 27/507 20130101; A61L 27/3641 20130101; A61L 27/3691
20130101; A61L 2430/34 20130101; A61L 27/3679 20130101; C12N 5/0605
20130101; A61K 35/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/582 ;
623/23.72 |
International
Class: |
A61K 35/50 20060101
A61K035/50; A61F 2/02 20060101 A61F002/02 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A tissue graft comprising a freeze dried human amniotic
membrane, said amniotic membrane comprising the following layers in
the following order: a) a first epithelium layer, b) a second
basement membrane layer, and c) a third stroma layer comprising an
upper compact layer, a middle fibroblast layer, and a lower spongy
layer.
14. The tissue graft of claim 13, wherein said amniotic membrane
contains naturally occurring growth factors and a collagen
matrix.
15. The tissue graft of claim 13, having a thickness ranging from
60-150 microns.
16. A method of repairing tissues in a patient, said method
comprising wrapping or replacing a damaged tissue with the tissue
graft of claims 13.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said damaged tissue is a
damaged tendon, damaged oral tissue, damaged gastrointestinal
mucosa, damaged epidermal tissue, damaged cardiac tissue, damaged
arterial tissue or damaged venous tissue.
18. A method of repairing tissues in a patient, said method
comprising wrapping or replacing a damaged tissue with the tissue
graft of claims 14.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said damaged tissue is a
damaged tendon, damaged oral tissue, damaged gastrointestinal
mucosa, damaged epidermal tissue, damaged cardiac tissue, damaged
arterial tissue or damaged venous tissue.
20. A method of repairing tissues in a patient, said method
comprising wrapping or replacing a damaged tissue with the tissue
graft of claims 15.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said damaged tissue is a
damaged tendon, damaged oral tissue, damaged gastrointestinal
mucosa, damaged epidermal tissue, damaged cardiac tissue, damaged
arterial tissue or damaged venous tissue.
22. A method for preparing a tissue graft, comprising the steps: a)
obtaining human placental tissue; b) separating amniotic membrane
from said placental tissue; c) cleaning said separated amniotic
membrane; d) lyophilizing said cleaned amniotic membrane; and e)
packaging said lyophilized amniotic membrane to provide a tissue
graft.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising sterilizing said
amniotic membrane.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the amniotic membrane is
terminally sterilized using gamma irradiation while frozen.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein the amniotic membrane is
cleaned with a physiologic saline solution.
26. The method of claim 22, wherein the placenta or amniotic
membrane is tested for infectious disease before proceeding.
27. The method of claim 22, further comprising sectioning said
amniotic membrane before packaging.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL
[0004] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Human amniotic membrane derived from the placenta has been
used for nearly 100 years as a transplantable biomaterial for the
surgical reconstruction of various tissues in the human body. Such
a membrane has been utilized widely in the management of ocular
surface disorders; utilized as a biological dressing or graft for
skin (burns, skin wounds, skin ulcers); utilized to prevent tissue
adhesion in surgical procedures of the spine, abdomen and pelvis;
utilized as a wrap for tendon and nerve repair procedures; and
utilized as a graft for dental/oral procedures. Normally, such a
membrane has is either dehydrated or cryopreserved prior to storage
until ready for surgical transplantation.
[0006] The placental tissue, from which the amniotic membrane is
derived, is harvested after birth or after elective Cesarean
section surgery. At full term of gestation, the fetal membranes of
the placenta are comprised of two principal layers: (1) the outer
chorion layer which is in contact with maternal cells and forms the
outer aspect of the sac, and (2) the inner amniotic membrane layer
which contains large amounts of collagen and is bathed by amniotic
fluid contained within the sac. The amniotic membrane is a thin,
translucent, elastic tissue which forms the innermost layer of the
amniotic sac and the placenta. Histologically, the amniotic
membrane is comprised of 3 layers (FIG. 2): an epithelial
monolayer, a basement membrane and stroma. The stroma can be
further subdivided into a compact layer, a fibroblast layer
containing a loose network of fibroblasts, and a spongy layer.
[0007] There are storage challenges with the amniotic membrane in
the cryopreserved forms as this requires refrigeration or freezing
to maintain these tissue grafts. The dried forms of the amniotic
membrane has a storage advantage however, the methods of
drying/dehydration involve the use of heat, chemicals and sometimes
the removal of the epithelial layer which renders an altered
histologic profile and contributes to the destruction or reduction
of the naturally occurring biological properties of the amniotic
membrane as seen in nature. Described herein are amniotic membranes
which are dehydrated via a lyophilized (freeze dried) method
without using heat or chemicals to hereby better preserve the
naturally occurring biological properties of the amniotic membrane
seen in nature. Such grafts, when properly prepared, can be stored
at ambient temperatures for prolonged periods of time until ready
for transplantation while maintaining the histologic and biological
properties seen in utero.
[0008] Amnion membrane as a tissue graft provides a natural
biological barrier, a matrix for cell migration and proliferation,
and naturally occurring growth factors and other biological
components that contribute to healing at the site of
transplantation. Such a membrane when transplanted has the added
benefit of the absence of immune rejection due to the lack of most
of the major histocompatibility (HLA) antigens and viable
cells.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Described herein are human tissue grafts derived from the
placenta comprised of the amniotic membrane which is processed
using physiologic solutions, lyophilization and terminal
sterilization (via gamma irradiation in a frozen state) that
thereby preserves the graft in such a manner as to retain the
naturally occurring biological properties of the amniotic membrane
and offer a sterile graft for transplantation. By dehydration via
lyophilization and terminal sterilization, the graft has the
advantage of storage at ambient temperatures for prolonged periods
of time prior to transplantation. The advantage of this invention
is that it solves the problem existing for the cryopreserved
grafts, namely, the need for refrigeration or frozen storage of the
graft in a wet state. This invention also solves the problem
existing for the heat/chemical dried grafts, namely, the deprived
biological properties remaining in a graft that has been dehydrated
using heat and chemicals and/or the removal of the epithelium
layer. The advantages of the invention will be realized by practice
of the aspects of the description and claims subsequently
described. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are illustrative
and exemplary only and are not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the following
aspects.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a process overview flowchart for the recovery and
manufacture of the tissue grafts described herein.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exemplary histological representation sketch of
the layers of the tissue grafts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] First it is to be understood that the aspects of the methods
to be described are not limited to specific compounds, exact
methods described or uses as such may vary. FIG. 1 depicts a
process overview flowchart for the recovery and manufacture of the
tissue grafts described herein.
[0014] Step 1: Informed Consent Obtained, Donor Pre-Screened for
Eligibility and Suitability
[0015] Initially, the potential female donor is approached and
written informed consent is obtained following standard industry
practices and the guidelines set forth by AATB. The potential donor
must fully understand the donation process and give their informed
consent to the process and to the testing of their blood for
diseases that may affect the suitability of their placenta tissues
for use.
[0016] After written consent is obtained, the donor is pre-screened
for eligibility and suitability to donate her placenta at delivery.
Screening involves assessment for risk factors to communicable
diseases as specified in the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA)
Donor Eligibility Guidance documents and regulations for Good
Tissue Practices (GTP) for human tissue products intended for human
transplantation. Additionally, standards put forth by the American
Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) are also used as guidelines for
donor eligibility criteria. After initial pre-screening information
is reviewed, a determination is made as to whether the donor is
eligible to donate and plans are made for the recovery of the
placenta upon delivery.
[0017] Step 2: Recover Placenta for Donor Meeting Pre-Screening
Criteria
[0018] The recovery of the placenta takes place in a hospital or
birthing center where it is collected during a live Cesarean
section or vaginal delivery birth. The placenta is recovered by the
operating room or delivery personnel and placed in sterile
designated containers, labeled with distinct donor identification
information. The packaged placenta is then either shipped on wet or
dry ice to the processing facility or it is temporarily stored in a
freezer until it can be shipped to the processing facility.
[0019] Step 3: Test Donor Blood for Infectious Diseases per
Criteria
[0020] Blood samples are drawn from the donor within 7 days before
or after delivery and sent to a CLIA accredited contract laboratory
to be tested for communicable diseases such as hepatitis, AIDS,
Syphilis, and West Nile Virus using FDA licensed test kits, where
appropriate. The specific list of tests for these communicable
diseases that are performed are per the current FDA Donor
Eligibility and GTP requirements and per AATB's standards.
[0021] Step 4: Inspect & Release Placenta If/When All Critiera
Met
[0022] The placenta container is inspected at the processing
facility upon receipt. All donor medical history charts are
compiled and reviewed to include completed behavioral, sexual,
medical, clinical, and health questionnaires, results of serology
testing for communicable diseases, pre-natal history and medical
records and hospital/birthing center delivery records. Once all
donor criteria are met, the placenta is released for
processing.
[0023] Step 5: Process Tissue to Separate Amnion
[0024] The placenta is thawed (if previously frozen) in a
controlled environment and all processing methods are conducted in
a controlled environment following FDA's GTP and AATB standards.
Equipment and the facilities used are cleaned and decontaminated
and all major processing steps are documented following industry
practice, FDA regulations and AATB standards. Critical processes
are validated per FDA requirements. Work areas are draped prior to
usage and supplies and instruments are either sterile or clean with
known manufacturing methods to control incoming bioburden.
[0025] The placenta is inspected for abnormalities and
pre-processing samples are taken to determine the baseline
Bioburden. Placentas passing inspection are further processed by
separating the amnion layers from both sides of the placenta from
the chorion layers and the rest of the placenta. The isolated
amnion layers in the form of continuous sheets of tissue are then
further processed.
[0026] Step 6: Soak, Rinse & Clean Amnion with Physiologic
Saline Solutions
[0027] The isolated amnion sheets are further processed by briefly
soaking for up to 1 hour at room temperature in a physiologic
saline solution such as Earle's Balanced Salt Solution (1.times.)
or Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (1.times.) with periodic gentle
mixing to disassociate blood from the amnion. During this time,
multiple subsequent rinses with Earle's or Hank's, as needed, may
be performed to further remove the blood during the soak time.
During or upon completion of the soak and rinse processes, any
remaining blood clots or blood on the surface of the amnion may be
manually removed. The resultant amnion sheets are now ready for
lyophilization.
[0028] Step 7: Lyophilize (Freeze Dry)
[0029] The amnion sheets are spread out on parchment paper with the
stromal side face down, placed on lyophilization trays, placed in
sealed lyophilization bags and lyophilized at approximately -40 to
-45.degree. C. for 20-48 hours using standard lyophilization
methods until moisture is removed and desired drying is achieved.
Freeze dry time may vary depending on the thickness of the tissue
and the size of the amnion sheets.
[0030] Step 8: Cut, Section & Package
[0031] The freeze dried (lyophilized) amnion sheets are sectioned
into desired sizes (e.g. 4 cm.times.4 cm, 4 cm.times.6 cm, etc.)
using any sharp cutting device (e.g. a scalpel, a device similar to
a pizza cutter, etc.), packaged and sealed (e.g. heat sealed,
vacuum sealed, etc.).
[0032] Step 9: Inspect & Test
[0033] Routine quality inspections of each unit are performed to
ensure that manufacturing criteria are met in the areas of size,
appearance, package integrity, etc. Standard residual moisture
tests may be performed on random units to ensure consistency of the
freeze drying process.
[0034] Step 10: Sterilize--Gamma Irradiate Amniotic Membrane While
Frozen
[0035] The lyophilized amnion products are shipped to a contract
sterilizer to be gamma irradiated by a validated method to achieve
a Sterility Assurance Level (SAL) of 10-6. The gamma irradiation is
performed on dry ice with product in the frozen state to circumvent
damage to the tissue. Sterilized product is returned to the
possession of the processor for a final inspection.
[0036] Step 11: Final Inspection
[0037] Sterilized product returned from the contract sterilizer is
inspected at by the processing facility for final release.
Inspection will include package integrity inspection and final
labeling inspection, to name a few. Units passing inspection are
released for storage, distribution and subsequent
transplantation.
* * * * *