Abstract: The present invention is directed to injectable acid soluble collagen compositions comprising a neutralized solution of an acid soluble collagen, EDTA and preferably a polyol, wherein the composition is injectable at physiological pH and the acid soluble collagen polymerizes upon exposure to tissue. The invention is suitable for use in soft tissue augmentation, promoting soft tissue regeneration and coating medical implants and devices.

Abstract: The disclosure provides collagen-based constructs for use in drug delivery.

Abstract: Methods of stabilizing and organizing collagen fibrils in extracellular matrix of retinal tissues, particularly Bruch's membranes, and stabilizing retinal pigment epithelial layers lining Bruch's membrane are disclosed. The stabilization and organization may be effected by treating retinal tissues with a protein that crosslinks and organizes collagen fibrils, such as decorin. The stabilization and organization methods include treatment of retinal tissues before, during, or after diagnosis of dry macular degeneration, diagnosis of early stages of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema to prevent, retard, or limit progression of disorganization of Bruch's membrane and disorganization of retinal pigment epithelial cells lining Bruch's membrane.

Abstract: Methods of treating a refractive error of the eye are disclosed comprising applying a treatment that induces swelling of the corneal tissue and applying an orthokeratology lens configured to correct the refractive error that provides a controlled distribution of the corneal tissue.

Abstract: An orthokeratological procedure is provided that prevents or retards relaxation of corneal tissue back to the original anterior curvature of the cornea. The procedure comprises applying a stabilizing agent that comprises fibril associated collagens with interrupted triple helices (FACITs) and/or small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans (SLRPs) to the stabilize corneal tissue in a preselected shape.

Abstract: Consistent with the present invention, tissue adhesive compositions and an associated laser exposure system are provided for bonding or sealing biological tissues. The compositions are comprised of chemically derivatized soluble collagen which is formulated to concentrations ranging from 300 mg/ml (30%) to 800 mg/ml (80%) collagen protein. In particular, Type I collagen, for example, is first prepared by extraction from bovine or porcine hide and purified. The collagen preparations are then chemically derivatized with sulfhydryl reagents to improve cohesive strength and with secondary derivatizing agents, such as carboxyl groups, to improve the adhesive strength of the solder to the tissue. The compositions are then formed into viscous solutions, gels or solid films, which when exposed to energy generated from an infrared laser, for example, undergo thermally induced phase transitions.

Abstract: Consistent with the present invention, tissue adhesive compositions and an associated laser exposure system are provided for bonding or sealing biological tissues. The compositions are comprised of chemically derivatized soluble collagen which is formulated to concentrations ranging from 300 mg/ml (30%) to 800 mg/ml (80%) collagen protein. In particular, Type I collagen, for example, is first prepared by extraction from bovine or porcine hide and purified. The collagen preparations are then chemically derivatized with sulfhydryl reagents to improve cohesive strength and with secondary derivatizing agents, such as carboxyl groups, to improve the adhesive strength of the solder to the tissue. The compositions are then formed into viscous solutions, gels or solid films, which when exposed to energy generated from an infrared laser, for example, undergo thermally induced phase transitions.

Abstract: Consistent with the present invention, tissue adhesive compositions and an associated laser exposure system are provided for bonding or sealing biological tissues. The compositions are comprised of chemically derivatized soluble collagen which is formulated to concentrations ranging from 300 mg/ml (30%) to 800 mg/ml (80%) collagen protein. In particular, Type I collagen, for example, is first prepared by extraction from bovine or porcine hide and purified. The collagen preparations are then chemically derivatized with sulfhydryl reagents to improve cohesive strength and with secondary derivatizing agents, such as carboxyl groups, to improve the adhesive strength of the solder to the tissue. The compositions are then formed into viscous solutions, gels or solid films, which when exposed to energy generated from an infrared laser, for example, undergo thermally induced phase transitions.

Abstract: Consistent with the present invention, tissue adhesive compositions and an associated laser exposure system are provided for bonding or sealing biological tissues. The compositions are comprised of chemically derivatized soluble collagen which is formulated to concentrations ranging from 300 mg/ml (30%) to 80 mg/ml (80%) collagen protein. In particular, Type I collagen, for example, is first prepared by extraction from bovine or porcine hide and purified. The collagen preparations are then chemically derivatized with sulfhydryl reagents to improve cohesive strength and with secondary derivatizing agents, such as carboxyl groups, to improve the adhesive strength of the solder to the tissue. The compositions are then formed into viscous solutions, gels or solid films which are used to encapsulate structural components such as a cojoinal network or mesh. The resultant patch which when exposed to energy generated from an infrared laser, for example, undergo thermally induced phase transitions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for processing and dispersing animal tissues that involve exposing processed (e.g., decellularized) tissue to an acylating agent, wherein the ratio of acylating agent to wet tissue weight is about 0.003:1 or less. Preferably, decellularized tissue is exposed to an amount of the acylating agent of about 0.1% to about 0.3% of wet tissue weight for a time ranging from about 30 seconds to about 10 minutes. A dispersed tissue matrix is produced that has a high degree of resistance to digestion by non-collagenase proteases, such as trypsin. In order to produce sufficiently high yields of these trypsin-resistant compositions, the processed tissue is preferably cryomilled to increase its surface area prior to acylation. The dispersed acylated decellularized tissue may be in the form of an injectable composition that can be introduced into tissue of a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are collagen films which rapidly dissolve at 35° C. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of the collagen films and their use as a vehicle for delivering a dose of therapeutic compound to a specific tissue site.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for processing and dispersing animal tissues that involve exposing processed (e.g., decellularized) tissue to an acylating agent, wherein the ratio of acylating agent to wet tissue weight is about 0.003:1 or less. The disclosed methods result in a dispersed tissue matrix that has a high degree of resistance to digestion by non-collagenase proteases, such as trypsin. In order to produce sufficiently high yields of these trypsin-resistant compositions, the processed tissue is preferably cryomilled to increase its surface area prior to acylation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating a malignancy in an animal by introducing into the animal a radioactive isotope, or stable element subsequently made radioactive, covalently linked to a collagen. Also disclosed herein are such radiolabeled collagen compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are collagen films which rapidly dissolve at 35° C. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of the collagen films and their use as a vehicle for delivering a dose of therapeutic compound to a specific tissue site.

Abstract: A method of smoothing irregular corneal surfaces and removing protuberances from corneal surfaces by photoablative eximer laser keratectomy is provided. Collagen compositions for use in making collagen modulators useful in photoablative procedures are described. These compositions are applied to irregular corneal surfaces in sufficient amounts to at least fill in depressions or other irregularities on a corneal surface and are converted into a modulator, as a gel or polymerized film, prior to photoablation. The collagen modulators facilitate the photoablative smoothing of irregular corneal surfaces and protect adjacent corneal tissue from undesired photoablation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are collagen films which rapidly dissolve at 35° C. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of the collagen films and their use as a vehicle for delivering a dose of therapeutic compound to a specific tissue site.

Abstract: Methods and products for rapidly sealing a fluid leak in a tissue are provided. A polymerizable protein is applied to a tissue having an opening which creates a fluid leak in the tissue, in order to seal the opening. The tissue area and opening coated with the polymerizable protein are exposed to an initiator in order to polymerize the covering in situ, and create a seal over the opening that prevents fluid leakage. The methods and products to the invention may be used, for example, to seal airholes in lung injuries and to seal anastomoses and suture lines for blood vessels.

Abstract: Collagen-based compositions as adhesives and sealants for medical use and preparation thereof are described. Prior to polymerization, soluble or partially fibrillar collagen monomers in solution are chemically modified with an acylating agent, sulfonating agent or a combination of the foregoing. The collagen compositions prepared accordingly can be used as medical adhesives for bonding soft tissues or be made in to a sealant film for a variety of medical uses such as wound closures and tendon wraps for preventing adhesion formation following surgery.

Abstract: A method of smoothing irregular corneal surfaces and removing protuberances from corneal surfaces by photoablative eximer laser keratectomy is provided. Collagen compositions for use in making collagen modulators useful in photoablative procedures are described. These compositions are applied to irregular corneal surfaces in sufficient amounts to at least fill in depressions or other irregularities on a corneal surface and are converted into a modulator, as a gel or polymerized film, prior to photoablation. The collagen modulators facilitate the photoablative smoothing of irregular corneal surfaces and protect adjacent corneal tissue from undesired photoablation.

Abstract: An method is disclosed for removing Type I collagen-containing tissue adjoining Type II collagen-containing animal tissue comprising treatment of unprocessed Type II collagen-containing tissue in an acidic solution in the presence of an acid proteinase and subjecting the mixture to moderate agitation for a period of time sufficient to cause digestion or separation of the Type I collagen-containing tissue from the Type II collagen-containing tissue. Also disclosed are methods for removing proteoglycans from Type II collagen-containing tissue.