Patent ID: 8883184

Claim:
A connective tissue regenerative composition for administration at a site in need of connective tissue regeneration, the composition comprising: a) a bioactive hydrogel matrix that is flowable at physiological temperatures comprising: i. a tissue-derived polypeptide derived from tissue selected from the group consisting of collagens, gelatins, keratin, decorin, aggrecan, and glycoproteins, or a tissue-derived polypeptide derived from extracts of tissue selected from the group consisting of submucosal tissues, arteries, vocal chords, pleura, trachea, bronchi, pulmonary alveolar septa, ligaments, auricular cartilage, abdominal fascia, liver, kidney, neurilemma, arachnoid, dura mater, and pia mater, ii. a polysaccharide or a sulfated polysaccharide, and iii. one or more components selected from the group consisting of polar amino acids, divalent cation chelators, and combinations thereof; and b) a three-dimensional structural framework at least partially containing the bioactive hydrogel matrix and at least partially retaining the hydrogel matrix at the site in need of connective tissue regeneration, the structural framework providing support during connective tissue regeneration and simultaneously providing a space or network of spaces for cellular infiltration; wherein the three-dimensional structural framework is a crosslinked hydrogel formed of at least two polymers crosslinked to one another and that is solid or semi-solid at physiological temperatures, the crosslinked hydrogel comprising one or more components selected from the group consisting of polar amino acids, divalent cation chelators, and combinations thereof.