US 7846728

Here's a concise summary of US patent 7846728:

US Patent: 7846728

• Title: Tissue engineering in vivo with vascularized scaffolds
• Assignee: BioStruxs LLC
• Inventors: Mai Nguyen Brooks, James P Watson
• Filing Date: October 9, 2007
• Issue Date: December 7, 2010
• Abstract: The patent describes a novel method for producing tissue or an organ in a mammal by implanting a three-dimensional biodegradable scaffold in vivo. These scaffolds are designed to overcome the limitations in developing large organs using tissue engineering by addressing issues such as a lack of well-developed vascular supply, tissue resorption, loss of cell function, and untoward side effects.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a physical implant. It consists of a three-dimensional scaffold shell with an interior and an exterior. Inside this shell is a tissue matrix. This tissue matrix is unique because it includes multiple folds of vascularized omentum (a fatty tissue in the abdomen) combined with excised fat tissue that is specifically inserted between these omentum folds. A key aspect is that the scaffold material is distinct from the tissue matrix it contains.
• Independent Claim 5: This claim describes a method for creating an implant using a three-dimensional scaffold shell to contain a tissue matrix. The method involves several steps:
  1. Providing a cell mixture: Cells harvested from an organ are prepared, ensuring they are immunocompatible with the patient.
  2. Identifying a growth site: A location within the patient is chosen that has existing vascular tissue with intact arterial and venous blood flow, and the capacity to support the growth of the cell mixture.
  3. Introducing the scaffold: A three-dimensional scaffold shell is placed into this identified growth site. The vascular tissue at the site is positioned within the scaffold's interior, maintaining its connection and blood flow with the patient.
  4. Introducing the cell mixture: The prepared cell mixture is then introduced into the scaffold's interior, where it interacts with the vascular tissue.
  5. Incubation: The scaffold, containing the vascularized tissue and cell mixture, is allowed to remain and grow within the patient's body at the growth site until it forms the desired implant and tissue matrix.
  6. Removal: Once the implant has formed, it is removed from the initial growth site.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of CAFC 2026 dockets did not reveal any active cases specifically citing US patent 7846728 as of April 26, 2026.