Abstract: An apparatus for closing and sealing a vascular puncture is connected to an energy supply such that heat is generated in, or thermally conducted to, the tissue, thereby thermally fusing the vascular tissue together. The method for closing and sealing a vascular puncture comprises applying radio frequency or other energy to the tissue, the energy being sufficient to thermally fuse the tissue together, thus sealing the puncture. Embodiments of depth finding and guiding devices, as well as blood vessel occluders, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic article for surgical implantation within the body of a host in a surgical stapling procedure comprises a strip of host-tissue-compatible animal tissue material that is initially removably affixed between the spaced-apart legs a U-shaped buttress member to create a tubular configuration that can readily slip over the jaws of a conventional surgical stapler. When the staple gun is fired, the staples penetrate through the strips of animal tissue and the host tissue and thus serve to reinforce the staple line. Because the buttress member is releasibly attached to the strip of animal tissue, the buttress member can be readily separated and discarded following the firing of a staple gun.

Abstract: A collagen impregnated vascular graft including drug materials complexed with the collagen to be released slowly from the graft following implant. The graft is a porous synthetic vascular graft substrate having collagen fixed to the graft substrate and cross-linking the collagen in situ to render the porous substrate blood-tight. The drug materials complexed with the collagen fibrils may include antithrombic agents, antibacterial, antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents and the like.

Abstract: A collagen-impregnated vascular graft includes a porous synthetic vascular graft substrate formed by knitting or weaving with at least three applications of dispersed collagen fibrils. Plasticizers are incorporated into the collagen slurry before application and the slurry is applied in separate treatments by massage and flow through techniques, cross-linked by exposure to formaldhyde vapor and dried.

Abstract: A prosthetic ligament has an outer sheath of permeable PTFE yarn surrounding a core of synthetic filaments with stitching through the sheath and core holding the two firmly together to act as a single integral unit when placed in situ.

Abstract: A collagen impregnated synthetic vascular graft including a synthetic vascular graft substrate and cross-linked collagen fibril is formed by depositing an aqueous slurry of collagen fibrils in the lumen of the graft and massaging to insure intimate mixing of the fibrils into the porous structure of the substrate. After massaging, the collagen is dried and cross-linked. Repeated applications and massaging and drying further reduce porosity of the graft.