Abstract: A process for the production of prostheses wherein endogenic tissue material is substantially mechanically comminuted and, if necessary, additionally enzymatically digested to tissue particles, whose sizes fall within very narrow limits. A preshaped carrier material is treated with the resultant suspension. In the case of a porous carrier material the suspension is filtered through the material, whereas with less or non-porous carrier material the suspension is applied to the material surface by centrifuging. Unlike the case of corresponding prior art processes, as a result of this improvement, the process according to the invention can be performed very rapidly, i.e., directly during the operation and in a closed system.

Abstract: A non-sterile ultrasonic-Doppler unit (400/500/600) for locating and puncturing blood vessels is at least partly packed sterile with a sterile device (100/200/300), such that it can be used in a sterile field. The probe (600) of the ultrasonic-Doppler unit, has a slot (610) orientated in the axis of the ultrasonic field and is inserted into a sterile cap (300), causing a guide tube (340) for the puncturing needle penetrating this cap to lie in the slot of the probe. The device envelopes the probe completely, such that the non-sterile ultrasonic probe (600) does not contaminate the puncturing needle, the patient's skin nor the surgeon. The cap (300) can contain a coupling member, which guarantees ultrasonic coupling between the probe (600) and the patient's skin, such that the surgeon need not add any gel. All parts of the device are disposable single-use articles.

Abstract: A sterile puncturing device for blood vessels is disclosed which has an ultrasound probe (1) capable of non-sterile use. The probe (1) can be introduced into a capsule (12, 13) in the puncturing device. The apparatus has a fluid-tight bag (16) with sterile contents (10), the bag containing a holder (11) with the capsule for the ultrasound probe, and an entrance lock in the bag wall communicates with the opened capsule. The apparatus is disposable. The ultrasound probe, which can be used repeatedly, is introduced into the device shortly before puncturing.

Abstract: The puncturing device for blood vessels has an ultrasound probe (20) which permits location, based on the Doppler effect, of the blood vessel (50). By means of a guide duct (13) the puncturing needle (30) can be directed at least approximately coaxially relative to the beam transmitted by the probe (20). Puncturing must be performed in a sterile manner. To this end, according to the invention, the probe is enveloped in a sterile covering, this covering having a sterile coupling member (1) in which a reflector (12) for the ultrasound beam and a needle guide duct (13) are situated. The coupling member (1) may be part of the covering; alternatively, however, it may be designed as an attachment to be placed on the covering. The sterile covering with the coupling member (1), which is intended to be used once only, eliminates the need for time-consuming, repeated gas sterilization of the puncturing device.