Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a patient with visco-surgery, particularly ocular visco-surgery, utilizing a collagen-based viscoelastic solution having a reversibly high viscosity. The invention also relates to collagen-based viscoelastic solutions which further include mucopolysaccarides or growth factors.

Abstract: A method of smoothing irregular corneal surfaces and removing protuberances from corneal surfaces by photoablative excimer 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: The present invention provides a biologically compatible collagenous reaction product comprising ethylenically unsaturated monomerically substituted collagen, the monomeric substituents being essentially free of nitrogen, e.g., methyacrylate, styrene, polyvinyl, ethylene. The collagenous reaction product can be polymerized, e.g., by exposure to UV irradiation, chemical agents or atmospheric oxygen, and molded to form useful medical implant articles. Methods of preparation are also provided.

Abstract: Injectable collagen-based compositions can be used in methods to fill a lens capsular sac, following lens extraction procedures, to form a new intraocular lens. Purified soluble or partially fibrillar collagen may be modified with acylating agents, sulfonating agents or combinations thereof to form a clear, transparent collagen composition having indices of refraction between about 1.2 to 1.6. The modified collagen may injected into a lens capsular sac to form an intraocular lens (IOL) in situ. The IOL is clear, transparent, resistant to epithelialization and is capable of accommodation. The collagen-based IOL produced by the method of the present invention may remain in its original viscous liquid state or may be polymerized into a soft gel. The collagen-based IOL may be used to replace diseased or natural lens to treat cataracts, presbyopia, myopia and hyperopia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for bonding soft tissues. The method comprises the steps of (a) applying a polymerizable collagen composition onto at least portion of a surface of at least one of a first tissue and a second tissue, (b) exposing the polymerizable collagen composition to an initiator so as to initiate polymerization of the polymerizable collagen composition and (c) contacting the first tissue and the second tissue so that the exposed polymerizable collagen composition forms a bond between the first tissue and the second tissue.

Abstract: Production of a chemically modified, crosslinkable, telopeptide-containing, naturally crosslinked, solubilized collagen from tissue obtained from a sole human donor, for implanting in the same donor, by chemically modifying the tissue, e.g. by acylation and/or esterification, to form an autoimplantable, crosslinkable, telopeptide-containing, naturally crosslinked, collagen product, as a completely solubilized collagen solution, optionally of high index of refraction for correcting sight or as a partially solubilized collagen suspension; and use of the product for altering the condition of in situ tissue of the same human donor by autoimplantation, such as by crosslinking the product to form an implant device, by placing an effective amount of the product at the tissue site and crosslinking the product in situ, or by partially crosslinking the product and placing an effective amount thereof at the tissue site and optionally further crosslinking the product in situ.

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: The present invention provides a biologically compatible collagenous reaction product comprising ethylenically unsaturated or polymeric substituted collagen, the monomeric substituents being essentially free of nitrogen, e.g., methacrylate, styrene, polyvinyl, ethylene. The collagenous reaction product can be polymerized, e.g., by exposure to UV irradiation, chemical agents or atmospheric oxygen, and molded to form useful medical implant articles. Methods of preparation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biologically compatible collagenous reaction product comprising ethylenically unsaturated or polymeric substituted collagen, the monomeric substituents being essentially free of nitrogen, e.g., methacrylate styrene, polyvinyl, ethylene. The collagenous reaction product can be polymerized, e.g., by exposure to UV irradiation, chemical agents or atmospheric oxygen, and molded to form useful medical implant articles. Methods of preparation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-biodegradable corneal implant comprising (1) a polymerized transparent collagenous core having acylated amine or esterified carboxyl groups, and (2) a polymerized periphery surrounding the core, the periphery comprising fibrous collagen, e.g., Type I, being in the form of fibrils under suitable physiological conditions, or fibrillar collagenous material prepared from intact tissue. A method of preparing such an implant is also provided.

Abstract: Production of a chemically modified, crosslinkable, telopeptide-containing, naturally crosslinked, solubilized collagen from tissue obtained from a sole human donor, for implanting in the same donor, by chemically modifying the tissue, e.g. by acylation and/or esterification, to form an autoimplantable, crosslinkable, telopeptide-containing naturally crosslinked, collagen, product, as a completely solubilized collagen solution, optionally of high index of refraction for correcting sight, or as a partially solubilized collagen suspension; and use of the product for altering the condition of in situ tissue of the same human donor by autoimplantation, such as by crosslinking the product to form an implant device, by placing an effective amount of the product at the tissue site and crosslinking the product in situ, or by partially crosslinking the product and placing an effective amount thereof at the tissue site and optionally further crosslinking the product in situ.

Abstract: Solutions of sodium hyaluronate in physiological saline with a kinematic viscosity of from 45,000 to 64,000 cSt. are found to effect a smaller increase in post-operative intra-ocular pressure following use as an aid in opthalmological surgery, when the weight average molecular weight of the hyaluronate is within the range of from 1 to 2 million Daltons.

Abstract: Chemically-modified collagen is prepared by reacting native collagen with a di or tri-carboxylic acid halide, di or tri-sulfonyl halide, di or tri-anhydride, or di or tri-reative active ester coupling agent. The reaction is done in a controlled manner so that the degree of cross-linking is limited. Any remaining lysine epsilon amino groups present in the coupled collagen product may be converted to carboxyamido or sulfonamido groups by acid halide, anhydride, sulfonyl halide or active ester amine-modifying agents. The resultant product when dissolved in a physiological buffer provides a viscoelastic solution having therapeutic application in a variety of surgical procedures, particularly in ophthalmic surgery. This viscoelastic solution "melts," i.e., exhibits a dramatic loss of viscosity, when subjected to temperatures of between 32.degree. and 48.degree. C.

Abstract: Chemically-modified collagen is prepared by reacting native collagen with a di or tri-carboxylic acid halide, di or tri-sulfonyl halide, di or tri-anhydride, or di or tri-reactive active ester coupling agent. The reaction is done in a controlled manner so that the degree of cross-linking is limited. Any remaining lysine epsilon amino groups present in the coupled collagen product may be converted to carboxyamido or sulfonamido groups by acid halide, anhydride, sulfonyl halide or active ester amine-modifying agents. The resultant product when dissolved in a physiological buffer provides a viscoelastic solution having therapeutic application in a variety of surgical procedures, particularly in ophthalmic surgery. This viscoelastic solution "melts," i.e., exhibits a dramatic loss of viscosity, when subjected to temperatures of between 32.degree. and 48.degree. C.

Abstract: The effect of earth gravity on the self assembly of tropocollagen molecules into collagen fibrils and on the aggregation of fibrils into collagen gels has been found to be surprisingly detrimental to the preparation of desirable biomaterials. Chemically and physically uniform biomaterials for use in repair or replacement of damaged or diseased human tissue and organs are prepared by otherwise conventional reconstitution of soluble tropocollagen carried out, however, under less than one gravity, preferably under zero gravity. Surprisingly better properties of the collagen aggregate suggest that improved biomaterials may be prepared from the uniform gels.