Abstract: An implant material in the form of a natural animal tissue crosslinked into a pre-formed shape, the tissue being adapted to substantially retain its shape when implanted into a body. Suitable tissues include fibro-serous membranes such as pericardium. Suitable crosslinking agents include aldehydes (e.g., glutaraldehyde), epoxides, isocyanates, carbodiimides, isothiocyanates, glycidalethers, and acyl azides. The implant material can be processed in either the supple or non-supple form, by the judicious use of ethanol and/or other dehydrating solutions in the course of its processing.

Abstract: A non-crosslinked, decellularized and purified mammalian tissue (e.g., bovine pericardium) having particular use as an implantable resorbable material. The material is treated by alkylating its primary amine groups in a manner sufficient to reduce the antigenicity of the tissue, permitting the treated tissue to be used in vivo and without crosslinking, and in turn, permitting it to be resorbable. The material can be used in surgical repair of soft tissue deficiencies for a certain period of time while the implant itself is gradually remodeled or absorbed by the host. Also provided are a method of preparing such a material, as well as a method of using such a material for surgical repair.

Abstract: A method for preparing heterogeneous graft material from animal tissue in which the harvested tissue is cleaned, chemically cross-linked and then vacuum-dried to remove substantially all moisture therefrom. The vacuum-dried animal tissue is then double-wrapped and subjected to radiation sterilization while in its packaged dry state. Electron beam sterilization is a preferred method. At the time of use, the outer wrap is opened and the inner sterile package is placed in the sterile field in the operating room. When the tissue specimen is removed from its inner wrap, it may be rehydrated in sterile saline to restore its soft, supple hand, or it may be implanted in its dry state at the implanting surgeon's discretion, in which case, the tissue would undergo rehydration with the patient's own body fluids.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing reinforced surgical fastener suture lines to prevent tissue tearing and fluid leakage following the creation of an anastomosis, the closing of margins following the removal of diseased tissue, and/or the ligating and dividing of individual blood vessels. A retainer assembly is provided having an alignment frame and a pressure equalization member. The alignment frame includes an internally disposed receiving area for housing the pressure equalization member and a pair of guide channels disposed in fluid communication with the receiving area for guiding the jaw members of a surgical fastener applying device into contact with pledget material disposed within the receiving area.

Abstract: A prosthetic article for surgical implantation within the body of a host in a surgical stapling procedure comprises a strip of host-tissue-compatible animal tissue material that is initially removably affixed between the spaced-apart legs a U-shaped buttress member to create a tubular configuration that can readily slip over the jaws of a conventional surgical stapler. When the staple gun is fired, the staples penetrate through the strips of animal tissue and the host tissue and thus serve to reinforce the staple line. Because the buttress member is releasibly attached to the strip of animal tissue, the buttress member can be readily separated and discarded following the firing of a staple gun.

Abstract: To reinforce a line of surgical staples in host tissue, a strip of xenogeneic or autogenic tissue, such as cross-linked pericardium or dura mater harvested from horses, cows, pigs, sheep and humans, is appropriately adhered to the apposed surfaces of a staple cartridge supporting jaw and an anvil jaw of a surgical staple gun so that when tissue to be excised is positioned between the jaws and the staple gun is fired, the staples will penetrate the two layers of animal tissue and the intervening host tissue. Actuation of the cutting blade on the stapler or the use of a separate cutting instrument severs the tissue and the two layers of animal tissue along the staple line. When used in performing a lung reduction procedure, the animal tissue reinforcing strips create an air-tight seal about the staples preventing air leaks.

Abstract: A prosthetic article for surgical implantation within the body of a host in a surgical stapling procedure comprises a strip of host-tissue-compatible animal tissue material that is initially removably affixed between the spaced-apart legs a U-shaped buttress member to create a tubular configuration that can readily slip over the jaws of a conventional surgical stapler. When the staple gun is fired, the staples penetrate through the strips of animal tissue and the host tissue and thus serve to reinforce the staple line. Because the buttress member is releasibly attached to the strip of animal tissue, the buttress member can be readily separated and discarded following the firing of a staple gun.

Abstract: An implanted flow meter device for monitoring blood flow through a vascular graft is described. At the time that the vascular graft is implanted, a ring-like clip having Doppler crystal transducers mounted thereon is made to surround the graft with the acoustic axis of the transducers being generally longitudinally and internally directed relative to the graft. At the same time, an electrical plug-type connector is subcutaneously implanted at a desirable access site and electrical conductors connect terminals on that plug to the Doppler crystal transducers. When a blood flow reading is desired, a small incision can be made at the implant site to provide access to the plug-type connector, allowing a Doppler transmitter/receiver to be connected to that transducers via the plug connection.