Immunoneutral silk-fiber-based medical devices

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Silk is purified to eliminate immunogenic components (particularly sericin) and 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.