Scaffold for cardiac patch

Abstract

A biocompatible and biodegradable medical device patch actuating primarily as soft tissue structural reinforcement. The device has a layered architecture, where the primary serves as suturing layer and mechanical support to a thick porous scaffold which can be coated with a mimic-like extra cellular matrix (ECM). The device can be provided to the end user under the format of independent layers that can be cut and assembled to the specific need to the end user and patient. The layers are assembled without the need of any adhesive. Totally haemocompatible and of behavior superior to polytetrafluoroethylene used for any soft tissue repaired, the field of this invention is demonstrated for cardiovascular therapy but should not be limited to it. It is of practical relevance of vein, tendon and hernias and dermal treatments.

1 . A composition comprising a hydrogel formed using one or more self-assembling peptides, wherein the self-assembling peptides:
 a) are 8 to 12 amino acid residues in length;   b) terminates in one or more K residues;   c) have an at least 5 amino acid sequence upstream of the K residue where every other amino acid residue is the same amino acid residue of a first type.   
     
     
         2 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid residue of the first type is an F or V residue. 
     
     
         3 . The composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a self-assembling peptide terminates in KXK, where X is selected from F or V residues. 
     
     
         4 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein every other intervening amino acid residue is the same amino acid residue of a second type. 
     
     
         5 . The composition as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the amino acid residue of the second type is an E residue. 
     
     
         6 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the self-assembling peptides are selected from the sequences SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a biocompatible and biodegradable scaffold comprising synthetic and/or natural polymers, wherein the synthetic polymer is selected one or more of polylactic acid, glycolic acid, lactone, polyglycerol sebacate, copolymer of synthetic polymers and combinations thereof, and wherein the natural polymer is selected from one or more of chitosan, sodium alginate and cellulose. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the lactone is polycaprolactone (PCL). 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the copolymer of synthetic polymers is L-lactide/ -caprolactone, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and/or L-lactide/ -caprolactone. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the synthetic polymer is PCL. 
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a support comprising polyurethane. 
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one trophic agent, preferably wherein said trophic agent is selected from BMP, IGF, VEGF and PRP. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one growth factor, wherein said growth factor is hepatocyte and/or insulin growth factor. 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one drug, wherein said drug is selected from 5-azacytidine and dexamethasone. 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising cells. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 1 , for use in therapy. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1 , for use in, or in combination with, drug delivery. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 1 , for use in a method of tissue regeneration in a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the tissue regeneration is cardiac tissue regeneration. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 1 , use in the treatment of myocardial infarction, curettage or transmural infarct treatment, preferably in the treatment of myocardial infarction. 
     
     
         21 . A cardiac patch comprising the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . The cardiac patch according to  claim 21 , for use in the treatment of myocardial infarction.