Extracellular Matrix Technology

Kensey Nash uses our proprietary OPTRIX™ technology to process porcine derived tissues, which results in biologic surgical grafts that are used to reinforce and repair soft tissue defects. Our ability to apply this technology to multiple tissue sources enables us to create customized soft tissue regeneration products for a variety of clinical applications.

OPTRIX™ Tissue Processing Technology

The OPTRIX™ process gently disinfects tissues, inactivates viruses, and removes cells while preserving the natural, open pore structure of the collagen matrix and maintaining the extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The gentle and selective nature of the process results in products with strength and durability, a porous scaffold structure amenable to cell ingrowth, and  retention of ECM components that facilitate rapid cell infiltration and revascularization.

Extracellular Matrices (ECMs)

An ECM in its natural form is the combination of collagen, proteins, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, and other biological materials produced by cells that form the structural and functional components of all soft tissues and organs in the body. The ECM serves as a structural scaffold with receptor sites to orient cells, and a communication portal that provides a means for cells to communicate via signaling factors to regulate a variety of molecular functions. The ECM fundamentally controls the way in which mammals respond to injury and serves as an inductive scaffold for tissue repair and regeneration. KN ECM products are acellular scaffolds and do not function as natural soft tissues.

Demonstrated In-Vitro Biologic Activity¹

Kensey Nash invests in comprehensive analysis of our extracellular matrices to validate the gentle selectivity of the OPTRIX™ process.  Material characterization shows we have preserved the collagen structure while maintaining natural ECM components including elastin, fibronectin, laminin, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, growth factors, and cytokines.^1-3 In vitro animal studies demonstrate the potential for increased biologic activity:¹

• Greater retention of TGF-β and VEGF relative to incumbent commercial products^{2, 3}
• Stimulated human dermal fibroblasts to produce more VEGF than incumbent commercial products^{2, 3}
• More rapid cell infiltration of the mesothelium ECM compared to dermis xenograft products³

Potential Clinical Applications

At Kensey Nash we know that every clinical need poses unique challenges and requires specialized tools.  We have developed two ECM products to provide a range of handling properties and cell infiltration characteristics; porcine dermis for robust strength and durability, and porcine mesothelium for enhanced drape and conformability. The versatility of our OPTRIX™ processing methods provides the opportunity to customize products for a variety of soft tissue reinforcement needs, such as:

Products

• Medeor™ Matrix : Porcine Dermis ECM
• Meso BioMatrix™ Scaffold : Porcine Mesothelium ECM

References
1. BioMaterials. 2010 Sep;31(27):6934-40.
2. BioMaterials. 2010 Sep;31(26):6730-7.
3. Kensey Nash, Data on File

Meso BioMatrix, Medeor and OPTRIX are trademarks of Kensey Nash Corporation