Abstract: A bioprosthetic heart valve is disclosed. In a first aspect of the invention, a prosthetic heart valve comprises three mammalian heart valve leaflets, each valve leaflet including a full root length of tissue, the valve leaflets being affixed to one another to define a fluid flow passage, the fluid flow through which may be governed by the valve leaflets. In a second aspect the heart valve comprises a plurality of heart valve leaflets affixed to one another to define a fluid flow passage, the fluid flow through which may be governed by the valve leaflets; and a permanent trimming guide on at least one of the plurality of valve leaflets. In yet a third aspect of the invention, a bioprosthetic heart valve comprises a plurality of assembled parts, wherein the assembled parts are sutured together by hidden and locking stitches.

Abstract: A bioprosthetic heart valve is disclosed. In a first aspect of the invention, a prosthetic heart valve comprises three mammalian heart valve leaflets, each valve leaflet including a full root length of tissue, the valve leaflets being affixed to one another to define a fluid flow passage, the fluid flow through which may be governed by the valve leaflets. In a second aspect the heart valve comprises a plurality of heart valve leaflets affixed to one another to define a fluid flow passage, the fluid flow through which may be governed by the valve leaflets; and a permanent trimming guide on at least one of the plurality of valve leaflets. In yet a third aspect of the invention, a bioprosthetic heart valve comprises a plurality of assembled parts, wherein the assembled parts are sutured together by hidden and locking stitches.

Abstract: A method extracting lipids from tissue samples, particularly collagenous tissue samples for use in preserving the tissue samples, is disclosed. The product of the method of extracting the lipids is also disclosed. Extraction is accomplished by immersing the tissue sample in a medium which is an aqueous solution of a salt and a sugar that is buffered to maintain pH and which has a high (greater than about 4500 mosm) osmolality.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for reinforcing an anastomotic site (24). The device (14) includes a body (16) and a cuff (18). The body (16) is formed to receive a vascular graft (10). The cuff (18) is coupled to the body (16) and is formed to couple to a target vessel (22) proximate the anastomotic site (24) and to engage the anastomotic site (24). According to one aspect, the cuff (18) is impregnated with medication (30) to be delivered directly to the anastomotic site (24). According to another aspect, the cuff (18) has an adhesive surface (34) for affixation to the target vessel (22).

Abstract: This invention relates to tanning biomaterial to obtain calcification resistant biomaterial with good mechanical properties for bioprosthetic applications. The biomaterial of the invention is obtained by tanning tissue by any method except by oxidation, and then at a later time tanning the tissue by any of the oxidative fixation methods. The process was shown to provide beneficial results with the most frequently used fixation process, which involves fixating tissue with glutaraldehyde. Tissue fixated with glutaraldehyde and then by oxidative fixation has a lower calcification potential than does glutaraldehyde-only tanned tissue and has mechanical properties more similar to glutaraldehyde tanned tissue than to oxidative stabilized tissue. In particular, a process is described where tissue is fixed with glutaraldehyde followed by photoxidation.