Methods for Localized Modification of Tissue Products

Abstract

Methods for treating tissue matrices and tissue matrices produced according to the methods are provided. The methods can include treating select portions of a tissue matrix with a cross-linking agent and/or a proteolytic enzyme to produce a tissue matrix with variable mechanical and/or biological properties.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of producing a tissue matrix to support a breast implant after breast reconstruction or breast augmentation, comprising:
 selecting a collagen-containing tissue matrix having an upper convex surface and a lower convex surface; and   cross-linking select portions of the tissue matrix in a pattern having one or more curvilinear segments to produce a tissue matrix having mechanical or biological properties that vary across the tissue matrix.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue matrix is an acellular tissue matrix. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue matrix comprises a dermal tissue matrix. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue matrix is derived from a tissue selected from fascia, pericardial tissue, dura, umbilical cord tissue, placental tissue, cardiac valve tissue, ligament tissue, tendon tissue, arterial tissue, venous tissue, neural connective tissue, urinary bladder tissue, ureter tissue, and intestinal tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein cross-linking select portions of the tissue matrix comprises applying a fluid containing a cross-linking agent to the select portions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein applying a fluid containing a cross-linking agent to the select portions comprises:
 providing a solid surface having one or more channels configured to allow fluid to flow therethough;   contacting the tissue matrix with the surface; and   causing the fluid containing the cross-linking agent to flow through the channels.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more channels are shaped as parallel curvilinear segments. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cross-linking agent comprises at least one of gluteraldehyde and 1-Ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further including treating the tissue matrix to remove at least some of the cells and cellular components from the tissue matrix. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , including removing all the cells and cellular components from the tissue matrix. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein contacting the select portions of the tissue matrix with the cross-linking agent produces different mechanical properties in the select portions than in a portion of the tissue matrix that was not contacted. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein cross-linking the select portions of the tissue matrix in the pattern having one or more curvilinear segments increases the strength or elastic modulus of the tissue matrix in a direction of one or more lines. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein applying the fluid containing the cross-linking agent to the select portions includes applying a fluid containing two or more cross-linking agents to the select portions. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein causing fluid containing a cross-linking agent to flow through the channels further comprises selecting a flow rate of the fluid through the channels based on a desired degree of cross-linking.