Abstract: The present invention relates to a collagenous material and to a process for the manufacture thereof. The process is for the manufacture of a collagenous material from a plurality of collagen particles, wherein said collagen particles are derived from a natural tissue material and are substantially free of non-fibrous tissue proteins, cellular elements and lipids or lipid residues, and wherein said collagen particles comprise fragments of collagen fibres displaying original collagen fibre architecture and molecular ultrastracture of said natural tissue material, said process comprising steps of treating the collagen particles with an aqueous acid solution to swell the collagen particles; and collectively dehydrating the swollen collagen particles. The collagenous material may be used, for example, in wound care.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collagen pad and to processes for the manufacture thereof. One aspect of the invention provides a process for the manufacture of a collagen pad from a plurality of collagen particles, said process comprising steps of forming a dispersion of the collagen particles in an aqueous acid solution; and adding a flocculating agent to the dispersion to form a collagen floe. A further aspect of the invention provides a process for the manufacture of a collagen pad, wherein said process comprises a step of centrifuging the product of a flocculation reaction, said flocculation reaction comprising adding a flocculating agent to a dispersion of collagen particles in an aqueous acid solution to form a collagen floe. The collagen pad may be used, for example, in wound care.

Abstract: Implant compositions are disclosed consisting of a biocompatible carrier medium such as a saline or dextran solution and particles of collagenous material dispersed therein. The collagenous material is derived from tissue which has been milled to provide fragments of collagen fibers which preserve the architecture of the original fibers and their molecular structure. The collagenous material is also substantially free of non-fibrous tissue proteins, glycoproteins, cellular elements and lipids or lipid residues, and is non-cytotoxic. By suitable choice of particle size and concentration, the composition may be presented in injectable form or as a paste. The compositions are suitable for application in cosmetic and reconstruction surgery.