Electroporation of tissue products

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods for reducing bioburden on a tissue product, as well as the tissue products produced according to the disclosed methods. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods of electroporating tissue in the presence of one or more bactericides in order to reduce bioburden. The methods allow for reduced exposure to electrical energy and/or bactericide while reducing bioburden.

1 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A tissue product comprising a human or animal tissue that has been
 contacted with one or more bactericides; and   exposed to one or more electrical pulses.   
     
     
         27 . The tissue product of  claim 26 , wherein the tissue product has substantially reduced bioburden, as compared to the bioburden on a tissue that has not been contacted with one or more bactericides and exposed to one or more electrical pulses. 
     
     
         28 . The tissue product of  claim 27 , wherein the bioburden on the tissue has been reduced by at least about 50%. 
     
     
         29 . The tissue product of  claim 26 , wherein the tissue product comprises an intact extracellular matrix. 
     
     
         30 . The tissue product of  claim 26 , wherein the bactericide comprises one or more microbial growth inhibitors, cytotoxic agents, oxidants, and/or antibiotics. 
     
     
         31 . The tissue product of  claim 26 , wherein the bactericide comprises one or more of a peroxide, oxidizer, antimicrobial metal, quaternary ammonium compound, or charged bactericidal compound. 
     
     
         32 . The tissue product of  claim 26 , wherein the bactericide comprises one or more of peracetic acid (PAA), ozone, hypochlorite, silver, zinc, copper, benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, or chitosan. 
     
     
         33 . The tissue product of  claim 26 , wherein the bactericide comprises PAA. 
     
     
         34 . The tissue product of  claim 32 , wherein the PAA is at a concentration of about 0.01%-2% weight/volume. 
     
     
         35 . The tissue product of  claim 33 , wherein the PAA is at a concentration of about 0.2% weight/volume. 
     
     
         36 . The tissue product of  claim 26 , wherein the bactericide is at a concentration sufficient to substantially reduce bioburden on the tissue. 
     
     
         37 . The tissue product of  claim 26 , wherein the tissue product has been irradiated using e-beam radiation. 
     
     
         38 . The tissue product of  claim 26 , wherein the tissue product comprises decellularized tissue.