Abstract: Apparatus and methods for accomplishing fluid drainage and localized cooling of the central nervous system broadly encompassing an intrathecal catheter assembly accomplishing drainage and cooling, and a console apparatus that may contain control, cooling, and drainage subsystems, and use thereof.

Abstract: A connector for fluidly coupling proximal and distal tubular segments of a fluid conduit is provided. In one embodiment, the connector can include a connector body having an outer surface defining a first outer perimeter and an inner surface defining a lumen. The connector can also include a connecting device having an open configuration and a plurality of closed configurations. The connecting device can include first and second members configured to engage each other to secure the fluid conduit to the connector. The connecting device can also include a plurality of closed configurations for securing fluid conduits of different sizes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a blood conduit for fluidly coupling a first vascular segment to a second vascular segment are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for fluidly coupling proximal and distal tubular segments of a fluid conduit in a cardiovascular system is provided. The system may include a first engagement feature disposed on a distal end of the proximal tubular segment. The system also may include a second engagement feature disposed on a proximal end of the distal tubular segment. The first engagement feature may be configured to mate with the second engagement feature. In this manner, continuous flow may be provided between the proximal and distal tubular segments of the fluid conduit. In another embodiment, the proximal and distal tubular segments of the fluid conduit may collectively form a single unitary lumen without a connection device interposed between the segments.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes harvesting a tissue material from a human or an animal donor, treating the tissue material in a nuclease-containing solution, and thereafter treating the tissue material with an alkaline alcohol solution. The nuclease-containing solution includes an antimicrobial. The alkaline alcohol solution comprises sodium hydroxide and ethanol.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a biological tissue for implantation. The method includes providing a biological tissue from a human or animal donor, treating the biological tissue with an antiviral treatment formulation, lysing the biological tissue, decellularizing the biological tissue with a decellularization treatment formulation, and decontaminating the biological tissue with an alkaline alcohol solution. The antiviral treatment formulation may include a solution of peracetic acid and an alcohol, wherein the peracetic acid is present in the antiviral treatment formulation at a concentration from about 0.03% to about 1.2% (v/v). The decellularization solution may include a solution of a polar aprotic solvent, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, benzyl alcohol and ethanol.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to treat a stenosis. A delivery device is provided that has an elongate tubular member coupled therewith. The elongate tubular member has an outside surface that is configured to prevent adherence of in vivo matter. The tubular member has a proximal end and a distal end and is reinforced along its length to maintain open lumen under a transverse load. The tubular member is placed in the vasculature such that the distal end of the elongate tubular member is disposed distal of a stenosis. The proximal end of the elongate tubular member is disposed inside the vessel, preferably at a location proximal of the stenosis. Thereafter, after a therapeutic period, the elongate tubular member is removed intact.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes treating a pericardium tissue material, which has been harvested from a donor and rendered essentially acellular, with a chlorine dioxide treatment solution; and thereafter treating the pericardium tissue material with an antioxidant solution, which comprises ascorbic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes harvesting a tissue material from a human or an animal donor, treating the tissue material in a nuclease-containing solution, and thereafter treating the tissue material with an alkaline alcohol solution. The nuclease-containing solution includes an antimicrobial. The alkaline alcohol solution comprises sodium hydroxide and ethanol.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes harvesting a tissue material from a human or an animal donor, treating the tissue material in a nuclease-containing solution, and thereafter treating the tissue material with an alkaline alcohol solution. The nuclease-containing solution includes an antimicrobial. The alkaline alcohol solution comprises sodium hydroxide and ethanol.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes harvesting a tissue material from a human or an animal donor, treating the tissue material with water or a hypotonic solution to lyse native cells of the tissue material, treating the tissue material in a nuclease-containing solution which includes an antimicrobial, treating the tissue material with an alkaline alcohol solution, treating the tissue material with a chlorine dioxide treatment solution, and sterilizing the tissue material.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes treating a pericardium tissue material, which has been harvested from a donor and rendered essentially acellular, with a chlorine dioxide treatment solution; and thereafter treating the pericardium tissue material with an antioxidant solution, which comprises ascorbic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes harvesting a tissue material from a human or an animal donor, treating the tissue material in a nuclease-containing solution, and thereafter treating the tissue material with an alkaline alcohol solution. The nuclease-containing solution includes an antimicrobial. The alkaline alcohol solution comprises sodium hydroxide and ethanol.

Abstract: Liquid, injectable, aqueous solutions are transformed in situ to an expandable foam-like, space filling, and adherent biomaterial. Preferably, the foam-like biomaterial is the reaction product of a two-part liquid system to achieve the in situ formation thereof. The liquid system is generally comprised of a protein solution and a cross linker solution which may either be premixed and then applied to a site in need of the biomaterial, or simultaneously mixed and delivered through an in-line mixing/dispensing tip directly to the site. In especially preferred embodiments, an expandable foam-like biomaterial includes the reaction product of human or animal-derived protein material and a di- or polyaldehyde in the presence of a bicarbonate and an acidic titrant amounts sufficient to impart a cellular foam structure to the material.

Abstract: Liquid, injectable, aqueous solutions are transformed in situ to an expandable foam-like, space filling, and adherent biomaterial. Preferably, the foam-like biomaterial is the reaction product of a two-part liquid system to achieve the in situ formation thereof. The liquid system is generally comprised of a protein solution and a cross linker solution which may either be premixed and then applied to a site in need of the biomaterial, or simultaneously mixed and delivered through an in-line mixing/dispensing tip directly to the site. In especially preferred embodiments, an expandable foam-like biomaterial includes the reaction product of human or animal-derived protein material and a di- or polyaldehyde in the presence of a bicarbonate and an acidic titrant amounts sufficient to impart a cellular foam structure to the material.

Abstract: A delivery tip extension communicates an adhesive material from a fluid applicator tip to a site within a patient. The delivery tip extension has an elongated shaft with a proximal end portion, a central body portion, and a tapered distal end portion. The central body portion has a length between about 5 cm and about 45 cm. A lumen is defined within and extends along the elongated shaft from a proximal opening to a distal opening. The elongated shaft is relatively more rigid along the central body portion than along the distal end portion to facilitate driving the elongated shaft through the patient with reduced trauma to the patient by the distal end portion. The lumen is sized and shaped along the proximal end portion for securely receiving the fluid applicator tip inserted through the proximal opening such that a dispensing outlet on the fluid applicator tip is in fluid communication with the lumen. The delivery tip extension is sterilized or sterilizable.

Abstract: Bioprosthetic devices include an exterior biological tissue member which at least partly defines a cavity, and a proteinaceous biopolymer which fills the cavity, and intercalates and is chemically bound (fixed) to the tissue of the surrounding biological tissue member. In preferred forms, the bioprosthetic device is a bioprosthetic vertebral disc having a fibrillar outer annulus which surrounds and defines an interior cavity and is formed by removal of at least a substantial portion of the natural gelatinous core therefrom. The cavity defined by the fibrillar outer annulus may then be filled with a flowable proteinaceous biopolymer. Preferably, the proteinaceous biopolymer is a liquid mixture comprised of human or animal-derived protein material and a di- or polyaldehyde, which are allowed to react in situ to form a cross-linked biopolymer within the cavity. The liquid mixture may be formed in advance of being introduced into the cavity, or may be formed simultaneously during introduction into the cavity.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tissue graft material is disclosed. The disclosure also relates to a multipurpose tissue graft material and to methods of using same as a replacement for vascular and non-vascular tissue.

Abstract: An antibiotic composition is provided for use in decontaminating biological tissue, for example, graft tissues for transplantation or preparation for terminal sterilization. The antibiotic composition is a physiological solution includes a lantibiotic, such as nisin. The antibiotic solution is effective to substantially inhibit bacterial growth of at least one type of gram-positive bacteria while substantially maintaining the physiological characteristics of the tissue. The method may include contacting the tissue with the antimicrobial composition at a temperature and for a period of time effective to substantially inhibit bacterial growth of the at least one type of gram-positive bacteria while substantially maintaining the physiological characteristics of the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a tissue graft material. The invention also relates to a multipurpose tissue graft material and to methods of using same as a replacement for vascular and non-vascular tissue.