Abstract: A device for sample collection, sample separation and for aseptically, controllably and precisely transferring at least one of the separated portions is disclosed. The device utilizes a metering syringe to collect a sample, such as blood, the metering syringe with the sample therein is centrifuged, the metering syringe is connected to a sterile syringe contained within sterile packaging, the metering syringe is used to controllably, precisely and aseptically meter a separated portion into the sterile syringe, the sterile syringe with the separated portion therein is then given to appropriate personnel within a sterile field without performing any further transferring steps.

Abstract: Production of human procollagen or collagen in cells which ordinarily do not produce these molecules is effected by constructing expression systems compatible with mammary glands of non-human mammals. For example, expression systems can be microinjected into fertilized oocytes and reimplanted in foster mothers and carried to term in order to obtain transgenic non-human mammals capable of producing milk containing recombinant human procollagen or collagen. Human procollagen or collagen produced in this manner can be made of a single collagen type uncontaminated by other human or non-human collagens.

Abstract: The current invention is a biomedical implant comprising a biomedical matrix material and a biodegradable porosifying agent. As the porosifying agent degrades in situ, an implant with an inter-connecting network is formed. The resultant mechanically stable implant allows for tissue and fluid influx into the matrix. The invention is also directed to a method for repair of mammalian tissue using the above-described implant.

Abstract: A system for separating compounds of relatively low molecular weight substantially not greater than about one kilodalton from compounds having relatively high molecular weights substantially an order of magnitude greater or more than the low molecular weight compounds in a liquid mixture. The system includes a chromatographic column packed with uniformly distributed rigid, solid, porous particles having chromatographically active, hydrophobic surfaces, average diameters of not less than about 30 .mu.m, and average pore diameters sufficiently small to substantially exclude introduction of the compounds of relatively high molecular weight into the pores. The mixture is pumped through the interstitial volume between the particles at a reduced velocity greater than about 5,000, until a band of the high molecular weight compounds exits the column. The low molecular weight compounds are then eluted and are recovered separately from the relatively high molecular weight compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thrombin-containing hemostatic compositions, their preparation and use. In particular, it relates to hemostatic compositions comprising stabilized thrombin and microfibrillar collagen in an aqueous medium. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compositions are used in a kit comprising two different components, one of which is autologous patient's plasma as the source of fibrinogen, and the other of which is the thrombin-containing composition which also contains microfibrillar collagen having an average diameter of about 3-30 nanometers.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymer compositions comprise a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (--NH.sub.2) or thiol (--SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer which contains, or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further comprise other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the packaging and handling of sterile syringes. More specifically, a syringe and a syringe package are sterilized. The sterilized syringe is placed into the sterilized syringe package, which package is sealed to enclose the sterilized syringe. A fluid is introduced into the sterilized syringe. The sterilized syringe with fluid is then delivered into a sterile field by removing the syringe from the syringe package. The syringe package is preferably a peal-open sheath with a fitting member at one end. The fitting member extends partially into and partially out of the syringe package. It has a connector inside the syringe package for connecting to the sterile syringe, which connector is fluidly connected to an exterior connector. Thus, the fitting member provides a fluid connection from outside the syringe package to the enclosed sterile syringe.

Abstract: High pressure liquid chromatographic apparatus in which a fluid mixture containing at least one solute that is reactive with chromatographically reactive surfaces in the column is loaded into the column, and a number of plugs of different eluant fluids are injected into that column. The injections are made in a manner that minimizes the amount of eluant required. In one embodiment, the injections are made to insure that flow of at least the eluant fluids through the column will occur, preferably with a substantially flat wave front, at speeds corresponding to reduced velocities greater than about 5,000, i.e. at flow rates sufficient to induce turbulent flow in those fluids, thereby minimizing the time required for the entire succession of mixture and eluant fluids to traverse the column.

Abstract: Production of human procollagen or collagen in cells which ordinarily do not produce these molecules is effected by constructing expression systems compatible with mammary glands of non-human mammals. For example, expression systems can be microinjected into fertilized oocytes and reimplanted in foster mothers and carried to term in order to obtain transgenic non-human mammals capable of producing milk containing recombinant human procollagen or collagen. Human procollagen or collagen produced in this manner can be made of a single collagen type uncontaminated by other human or non-human collagens.

Abstract: Collagen-based compositions useful in the attachment of tissues, or the attachment of tissues to synthetic implant materials, are disclosed. The compositions comprise collagen crosslinked using a multifunctionally activated synthetic hydrophilic polymer. A particularly preferred composition comprises fibrillar collagen, a fiber disassembly agent, and a multifunctionally activated synthetic hydrophilic polymer. Methods are disclosed for using the compositions to effect the attachment of a native tissue to the surface of another native tissue, a non-native tissue, or a synthetic implant. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions to prevent the formation of surgical adhesions.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for liquid chromatography at improved analytical and preparative speeds and quantities involves flow of fluids through the column at flow rates sufficient to induce turbulent flow in those fluids. In one embodiment, the apparatus and method includes a substantially uniform chromatography column created by packing together a multiplicity of rigid, solid, porous particles having diameters of not less than about 30 .mu.m, surfaces of the particles being chromatographically active. A fluid mixture containing at least one solute that is reactive with the particle surfaces is injected into the column and subsequently eluted therefrom by a eluant fluid flow, both the injection and elution being effected at a velocity sufficient to induce flow within at least a substantial portion of the interstitial volume between the particles at a reduced velocity greater than about 5,000.

Abstract: Production of human procollagen or collagen in cells which ordinarily do not produce these molecules is effected by constructing expression systems compatible with mammary glands of non-human mammals. For example, expression systems can be microinjected into fertilized oocytes and reimplanted in foster mothers and carried to term in order to obtain transgenic non-human mammals capable of producing milk containing recombinant human procollagen or collagen. Human procollagen or collagen produced in this manner can be made of a single collagen type uncontaminated by other human or non-human collagens.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymer compositions comprise a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (--NH.sub.2) or thiol (--SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer which contains, or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further comprise other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents.

Abstract: High pressure liquid chromatographic apparatus in which a fluid mixture containing at least one solute that is reactive with chromatographically reactive surfaces in the column is loaded into the column, and a number of plugs of different eluant fluids are injected into that column. The injections are made in a manner that minimizes the amount of eluant required. In one embodiment, the injections are made to insure that flow of at least the eluant fluids through the column will occur, preferably with a substantially flat wave front, at speeds corresponding to reduced velocities greater than about 5,000, i.e. at flow rates sufficient to induce turbulent flow in those fluids, thereby minimizing the time required for the entire succession of mixture and eluant fluids to traverse the column.

Abstract: Collagen-based compositions useful in the attachment of tissues, or the attachment of tissues to synthetic implant materials, are disclosed. The compositions comprise collagen crosslinked using a multifunctionally activated synthetic hydrophilic polymer. A particularly preferred composition comprises fibrillar collagen, a fiber disassembly agent, and a multifunctionally activated synthetic hydrophilic polymer. Methods are disclosed for using the compositions to effect the attachment of a native tissue to the surface of another native tissue, a non-native tissue, or a synthetic implant. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions to prevent the formation of surgical adhesions.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for liquid chromatography at improved analytical and preparative speeds and quantities involves flow of fluids through the column at flow rates sufficient to induce turbulent flow in those fluids. In one embodiment, the apparatus and method includes a substantially uniform chromatography column created by packing together a multiplicity of rigid, solid, porous particles having diameters of not less than about 30 .mu.m, surfaces of the particles being chromatographically active. A fluid mixture containing at least one solute that is reactive with the particle surfaces is injected into the column and subsequently eluted therefrom by a eluant fluid flow, both the injection and elution being effected at a velocity sufficient to induce flow within at least a substantial portion of the interstitial volume between the particles at a reduced velocity greater than about 5,000.

Abstract: It has been discovered that it is possible to treat solutions of connective tissue material for the inactivation of prions in a manner such that connective tissue molecules are not adversely affected by the inactivation treatment. For example, solubilized atelopeptide collagen can be treated with sodium hydroxide for the inactivation of prions and other infectious agents without affecting the ability of the solubilized collagen to form stable fibers.

Abstract: Method of chromatographically separating a mixture by contacting said mixture under chromatographic separation conditions with a chromatographic separation stationary phase comprising an N-acyl diazepine polymer. In a preferred from, the polymer has been rendered substantially alkali-stable by substitution for the hydrogen at the C3 position on the diazepine ring.

Abstract: Method of chromatographically separating a mixture by contacting said mixture under chromatographic separation conditions with a chromatographic separation stationary phase comprising an N-acyl diazepine polymer. In a preferred from, the polymer has been rendered substantially alkali-stable by substitution for the hydrogen at the C3 position on the diazepine ring.