Abstract: The present invention is a new nonantigenic keratinous protein material that may be used as a number of purposes, including correction of soft tissue deficiencies and the creation of biomedical implants and implant coatings. The present invention also includes processes for using the nonantigenic keratinous protein material for soft tissue augmentation, creating implants, and the coating of biocompatible implants. The nonantigenic keratinous protein material can be formed by obtaining nonantigenic keratinous protein and processing it to a powder form. If hair from the recipient or a compatible doner is used, it is bleached and rinsed, then dried and chopped into about 0.25 inch pieces. The keratinous protein is then homogenized in a solvent to a particular size generally in the range of about 0.1 to about 500 .mu.m. The particles are then ultrasonicated in a solvent.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 19, 1992
Date of Patent:
October 25, 1994
Assignee:
Robert Allen Smith
Inventors:
Robert A. Smith, Cheryl R. Blanchard, James Lankford, Jr.