Abstract: Biomaterials with enhanced properties such as improved strength, flexibility, durability and reduced thickness are useful in the fabrication of biomedical devices, particularly those subjected to continuous or non-continuous loads where repeated flexibility and long-term durability are required. These enhanced properties can be attributed to elevated levels of elastin, altered collagen types, and other biochemical changes which contribute to these enhanced properties. Examples of devices which would be improved by use of such tissue include heart valves, including percutaneous heart valves, and vascular grafts, patches and the like. Such enhanced materials can be sourced from specific populations of animals, such as neonatal calves, or in range-fed adult cattle, or can be fabricated or created from cell populations exhibiting such properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in processing “raw” pericardium. The apparatus includes a mold having a generally hemispheroid dome and a support base upon which the mold is mounted. The hemispheroid dome has a diameter suitable for stretching a pericardium over the dome. Also, a method for processing “raw” pericardium. The method involves stretching raw pericardium over a mold such that the pericardium conforms to the shape of the mold and the mold stretches the pericardium. This is followed by separating at least some of the fat layer off the pericardial tissue layer where the pericardium is mounted over the mold and finally removing fat from the total pericardium surface.