Methods of Manufacturing Bioactive Gels from Extracellular Matrix Material

Biologic scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix material (ECM) have been used for the repair of a variety of tissues including the lower urinary tract, esophagus, myocardium, and musculotendinous tissues, often leading to tissue-specific constructive remodeling with minimal or no scar tissue formation. Although use of ECM as scaffolds for preclinical and clinical tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue reconstruction is very promising, challenges remain in the process to manufacture bioactive gels from ECM that retain their bioactivity.