Patents Assigned to Cryolife, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7621959
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: CryoLife, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Umit Yuksel, Steven P. Walsh, Kirby S. Black
  • Patent number: 7621954
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: CryoLife, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Umit Yuksel, Steven P. Walsh, Kirby S. Black
  • Patent number: 7449315
    Abstract: Energy-reversible acyl conjugates, intermediates, and related compositions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl W. Gilbert, Eleanor B. McGowan, Kirby S. Black, T. Gregory P. Harper
  • Patent number: 7318998
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to tissue decellularization and, in particular to a method of treating tissues, for example, heart valves, tendons and ligaments, so as to render them acellular and thereby limit mineralization and/or immunoreactivity upon implementation in vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Goldstein, Kirby S. Black
  • Publication number: 20070167644
    Abstract: Energy-reversible acyl conjugates, intermediates, and related compositions are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: CRYOLIFE, INC.
    Inventors: Carl Gilbert, Eleanor McGowan, Kirby Black, T. Gregory Harper
  • Patent number: 7226615
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: CryoLife, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Ümit Yüksel, Ana T. Bird, Kirby S. Black
  • Patent number: 7157458
    Abstract: Energy-reversible acyl conjugates, intermediates, and related compositions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl W. Gilbert, Eleanor B. McGowan, Kirby S. Black, T. Gregory P. Harper
  • Patent number: 7129035
    Abstract: This invention relates to the sterilization and preservation of tissue for storage. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of using a solution to form a preserved tissue. The solution includes a radical scavenger at a concentration believed to reduce the damage to the tissue that could otherwise occur during sterilization with ionizing radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: CryoLife, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Goldstein, Joseph Hamby, Steven P. Walsh, Kirby S. Black
  • Publication number: 20050191281
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: CRYOLIFE, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Ollerenshaw, Steven Goldstein, Kirby Black
  • Publication number: 20050163819
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Cryolife, Inc
    Inventors: K. Yuksel, Ana Bird, Kirby Black
  • Patent number: 6921412
    Abstract: Self-supporting, shaped, three-dimensional cross-linked proteinaceous biopolymeric materials that may be implanted in vivo, and methods of making such materials are disclosed. The biopolymeric materials most preferably include reinforcing media, such as biocompatible fibrous or particulate materials. In use, the preformed, shaped biopolymeric materials may be applied to tissue in need of repair and then sealed around its edges with a liquid bioadhesive. In such a manner, repaired tissue which is capable of withstanding physiological pressures may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirby S. Black, K. Umit Yuksel, Aaron J. Trygstad
  • Publication number: 20050158364
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Yuksel, Ana Bird, Kirby Black
  • Publication number: 20050102030
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Applicant: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Yuksel, Steven Walsh, Kirby Black
  • Patent number: 6866686
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Ollerenshaw, Steven Goldstein, Kirby S. Black
  • Patent number: 6852114
    Abstract: Osteoarticular allografts are transplanted by techniques which ensure substantial surface contour matching. Specifically, surgical techniques are provided whereby a plug from an osteochondral allograft may be transplanted to a cavity site which remains after a condylar defect is removed from a patient's condyle. In this regard, the present invention essentially includes placing an osteochondral allograft in substantially the same orientation as the patient condyle, and then removing the transplantable plug therefrom and forming the cavity site in the patient condyle while maintaining their relative same orientation. In this manner, the surface of the transplanted plug is matched to the contour of the excised osteochondral tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Cerundolo
  • Patent number: 6849262
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of coating the lumenal surface of a blood vessel, or other tissue cavity, and to compositions suitable for use in same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Ollerenshaw, Umit Yuksel, Kirby S. Black
  • Patent number: 6774116
    Abstract: A prodrug composition containing a cinnamate moiety and a biologically active molecule moiety which can be released by hydrolysis or activated by light is disclosed. The cinnamate moiety can have substituents of various electronically donating or electronically withdrawing groups to modify the cinnamate moiety's electric properties as well as photo reactivities for the purpose of achieving a proper hydrolysis rate of the acyl bond between the biologically active molecule moiety and the cinnamic acid backbone. The biologically active molecule can be any biologically active agent or diagnostic, for example, a chemotherapeutic such as a paclitaxel, campotothecin, doxorubicin, amethopterin, etoposide, or fluconazole. The prodrug composition can be modified to add a carrier moiety on the prodrug composition for targeting or to facilitate uptake of the drug. The prodrug compositions can be activated with an energy source to release the drug at the desired site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl W. Gilbert, Eleanor B. McGowan, Kirby S. Black, T. Gregory P. Harper
  • Patent number: 6685726
    Abstract: A method of anastomosing two hollow bodily organs using a bioadhesive. The method involves apposing apertures in the organs to be joined and applying the bloadhesive, thereby joining the apertures in the organs and allowing movement of fluid or semi-solid material from one of the two organs to the second organ. A device for anastomosing two hollow organs. The device has two inflatable balloons, one of which is placed into the lumen of each of the two organs to be joined. Inflation of the balloons holds the apertures together while the bioadhesives is applied. The device allows for endoscopic anastomosis of blood vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Cryolife, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirby S. Black, Steve Gundry, Ümit Yüksel
  • Publication number: 20030228692
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to tissue decellularization and, in particular to a method of treating tissues, for example, heart valves, tendons and ligaments, so as to render them acellular and thereby limit mineralization and/or immunoreactivity upon implementation in vivo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: CRYOLIFE, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Goldstein, Kirby S. Black
  • Publication number: 20020183244
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of coating the lumenal surface of a blood vessel, or other tissue cavity, and to compositions suitable for use in same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: CRYOLIFE, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Ollerenshaw, Umit Yuksel, Kirby S. Black