System and method for forming bioengineered tubular graft prostheses

Abstract

An apparatus for forming a tube construct from a planar sheet matrix includes a stand supporting two opposing mounts and spanning between the opposing mounts are a mandrel, a porous rod, and a spring-loaded roller held in parallel arrangement; a guide for aligning and engaging the mandrel on the opposing mounts; and a means for imparting a tangential force on the planar sheet matrix to prevent wrinkling. The porous rod has a lumen running its length and has pores that communicate between the lumen of the porous rod through to the surface of the rod for water to uniformly pass through. The spring-loaded roller runs along the length of the porous rod creating a line of contact between the roller and the mandrel. The mandrel is contacted with a planar sheet of matrix and is rotated such that successive portions of the matrix contact the porous rod and become lightly moistened by the water passing through the pores of the porous rod and become wrapped around the mandrel to form a tube construct.

1 . A method for forming a tube construct from a planar sheet matrix, comprising: 
 flagging a planar sheet matrix by aligning a mandrel along one edge of the sheet and contacting it to the sheet so that the planar sheet matrix and the mandrel adhere,    rolling the flagged planar sheet matrix around the mandrel while maintaining even tension on the sheet and smoothing out bubbles or creases using a roller as it is rolled onto the mandrel until the sheet contacts and overlaps itself to a degree to form a bonding region that keeps the tissue in a tubular form.