SERICIN EXTRACTED FABRICS
Silk is purified to eliminate immunogenic components (particularly sericin) and is used to form fabric that is used to form tissue-supporting prosthetic devices for implantation. The fabrics can carry functional groups, drugs, and other biological reagents. Applications include hernia repair, tissue wall reconstruction, and organ support, such as bladder slings. The silk fibers are arranged in parallel and, optionally, intertwined (e.g., twisted) to form a construct; sericin may be extracted at any point during the formation of the fabric, leaving a construct of silk fibroin fibers having excellent tensile strength and other mechanical properties.
1 . A fabric comprising one or more individual yarns comprised of sericin-extracted native fibroin fibers.
2 . A method for supporting a tissue in an individual, comprising implanting a the fabric of claim 1 in contact with the tissue, to thereby support the tissue within the individual.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the fabric is implanted into the individual at the location of a body wall.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the fabric is implanted in the thorax of the individual.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the fabric is implanted to immobilize an organ of the individual.
6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the fabric is implanted in the individual following surgery.
7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein implanting is selected from the group consisting of sewing, stapling, gluing, and laying in place without tensioning.