Hologic, Inc.
HYDROGEL-BASED IMPLANTABLE DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract:

Methods and devices for facilitating post-resection tissue formation to accelerate healing are provided. A hydrogel scaffold with encapsulated cells may be prepared. The encapsulated cells may be cells of the patient undergoing the resection that correspond to a type of the tissue resected. The hydrogel scaffold may be integrated with a frame to form an implantable device for insertion into a cavity created by the resection. The hydrogel scaffold and the frame may be bioabsorbable, and the frame may include non-bioabsorbable, radiopaque markers spaced along the frame. Upon insertion of the implantable device into the cavity, the encapsulated cells may interact with native cells to facilitate new tissue formation within the hydrogel scaffold and other areas of the cavity, the frame may provide temporary structural support for the cavity to reduce deformations as new tissue is being formed, and the markers may enable identification of the resection site.