Method for producing a collagen membrane and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a method of producing a collagen membrane that has particular mechanical properties. In particular, the present invention relates to a method A of producing a collagen membrane comprising the steps of (i) isolating a collagen-containing tissue and incubating same in an ethanol solution; (ii) incubating the collagen-containing tissue from step (i) in a first solution comprising an inorganic salt and an anionic surfactant in order to denature non-collagenous proteins contained therein; (iii) incubating the collagen-containing tissue produced in step (ii) in a second solution comprising an inorganic acid until the collagen in said material is denatured; and (iv) incubating the collagen-containing tissue produced in step (iii) in a third solution comprising an inorganic acid with simultaneous mechanical stimulation for sufficient time to enable the collagen bundles in said collagen-containing tissue to align; wherein the mechanical stimulation comprises applying tension cyclically to the collagen-containing tissue.
1. A collagen-containing membrane comprising:
(i) greater than 80% (w/w) type I collagen fibres or bundles in a knitted structure;
(ii) a modulus of greater than 300 MPa; and
(iii) an extension at maximum load of less than 85%
wherein the collagen-containing membrane has a first surface and a second surface that are distinct from each other with the first surface being a smooth surface having compact collagen bundles and the second surface being a rough, porous surface of loose collagen fibres.
2. The collagen-containing membrane of claim 1 , which comprises greater than 85% (w/w) type I collagen.
3. The collagen-containing membrane of claim 1 , which comprises greater than 90% (w/w) type I collagen.
4. The collagen-containing membrane of claim 1 , wherein the collagen bundles, collagen fibres, or both are from a sheep, a cow, a pig or a human.
5. The collagen-containing membrane of claim 1 , wherein the collagen bundles, collagen fibres, or both are from a human.
6. The collagen-containing membrane of claim 1 , wherein the collagen bundles, collagen fibres, or both are autologous.