Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a transplantable tissue which has been cryopreserved with an intracellular cryoprotectant and then thawed. After thawing, the tissue is treated with a diluent (or eluent) solution to reduce the level of cryoprotectant in the cells to a substantially non-toxic level. This is conducted using a single dilution step. Cryoprotectants which are removable in this manner include dimethylsulfoxide, glycerol, propanediol and other compounds which penetrate the cells.The dilution step does not require end point titration and can be conducted over a time period greater than about 5 minutes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 14, 1991
Date of Patent:
November 3, 1992
Assignee:
Cryolife, Inc.
Inventors:
John F. Carpenter, Kelvin G. M. Brockbank
Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 23, 1990
Date of Patent:
October 27, 1992
Assignees:
CryoLife Inc., Medical Univ. of South Carolina
Inventors:
Robert T. McNally, Cameron McCaa, Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Albert E. Heacox, Harvey L. Bank
Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant and DMSO is disclosed as a penetrating cyroprotectant.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 23, 1990
Date of Patent:
September 22, 1992
Assignee:
CryoLife, Inc. & Medical Univ. of South Carolina
Inventors:
Robert T. McNally, Cameron McCaa, Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Albert E. Heacox, Harvey L. Bank
Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of styles insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The styles are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 21, 1987
Date of Patent:
September 8, 1992
Assignees:
CryoLife Inc., Medical Univ. of South Carolina
Inventors:
Robert T. McNally, Cameron McCaa, Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Albert E. Heacox, Harvey L. Bank
Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for cryopreserving musculoskeletal tissues, such as ligaments, tendons and cartilage, by placing such tissue in contact with a composition containing a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solute, which is preferably dimethylsulfoxide, and a glycosaminoglycan, which is preferably chondroitin sulphate, in an amount sufficient to cryopreserve the musculoskeletal tissue. The addition of a glycosaminoglycan to a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solute permits a broad range of cooling rates to be employed, rather than the very narrow ranges which are employed using a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solvent without the glycosaminoglycan. Also disclosed are a freezing schedule designed to maximize retention of tissue cell viability and biomechanical properties during and after the freezing process, and a thawing schedule which maximizes cell viability.
Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 23, 1990
Date of Patent:
June 16, 1992
Assignees:
CryoLife, Inc., Medical Univ. of South Carolina
Inventors:
Robert T. McNally, Cameron McCaa, Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Albert E. Heacox, Harvey L. Bank
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of maintaining viability of a cell, tissue or organ. The method involves maintaining the cell, tissue or organ in contact with a storage solution comprising transferrin and selenium at a subambient temperature in a non-frozen state. The invention further relates to a storage solution suitable for use in the above-described method. In one embodiment, the solution comprises insulin, transferrin, hydrocortisone, selenium and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 9, 1989
Date of Patent:
May 5, 1992
Assignee:
CryoLife, Inc.
Inventors:
Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Katherine A. Anderegg
Abstract: A novel class of nonpermeating cryoprotectants which, when mixed with certain known penetrating cryoprotectants, provide a useful medium for protection of living cells during a cryopreservation process. Algae-derived polysaccharides such as agarose and alginate are useful as nonpermeating cryoprotectants as they form a gel matrix when cooled, protect against ice crystal formation, and yield improved viability of cells when thawed.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for use in the preparation of autologous or single-donor fibrin sealant. The invention further relates to a method of preparing fibrin sealant.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 3, 1990
Date of Patent:
July 9, 1991
Assignee:
CryoLife, Inc.
Inventors:
Brenda S. Morse, A. Denise Turner, John F. Carpenter
Abstract: A method of freezing, storing and thawing collagen-rich tissue, such as heart valves. The method includes a freezing profile for freezing the tissue down to the temperature of liquid nitrogen with minimal tissue damage due to ice crystal formation. Heart valves cryopreserved according to the present process exhibit a high cell viability when thawed and are suitable for implanting in human patients.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 2, 1987
Date of Patent:
January 2, 1990
Assignee:
CryoLife, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert T. McNally, Albert Heacox, Kelvin G. M. Brockbank, Harvey L. Bank
Abstract: A freezing agent for maintaining supercold temperatures. Solid carbon dioxide is impregnated with liquid nitrogen so that the liquid nitrogen diffuses through the lattice of crystals making up the solid carbon dioxide. The liquid nitrogen maintains the solid carbon dioxide at supercold temperature for a long period of time. The nitrogen-impregnated solid carbon dioxide can be in the form of nuggets for lining or packing a cooling container, and a frozen biological sample can be maintained at supercold temperature within the container for many hours.