Abstract: The present invention pertains to prevention of and/or treatment for filariasis. In particular, the present invention pertains to the use of tylosin A and its analogs and derivatives to prevent or treat filarial worm infection and/or diseases associated with filarial worm infection. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising tylosin A or an analog or derivative thereof for use in preventing or treating filarial worm infection and/or diseases associated with filarial worm infection.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone. The apparatus demineralizes bone by subjecting bone, including, for example, ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to either a rapid high volume pulsatile acidification wave process or to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The pulsatile acidification wave process includes subjecting bone to two or more rapid pulse/drain cycles in which one or more demineralizing acids is rapidly pulsed into a vessel containing bone, and after a desired period of time, is rapidly drained from the vessel. The continuous acid demineralization process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution in which the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the container holding the bone through an ion exchange media.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone. The apparatus demineralizes bone by subjecting bone, including, for example, ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to either a rapid high volume pulsatile acidification wave process or to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The pulsatile acidification wave process includes subjecting bone to two or more rapid pulse/drain cycles in which one or more demineralizing acids is rapidly pulsed into a vessel containing bone, and after a desired period of time, is rapidly drained from the vessel. The continuous acid demineralization process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution in which the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the container holding the bone through an ion exchange media.

Abstract: The invention provides a plasticized bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in natural tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the plasticized bone or soft tissue product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of debriding bone including incubating the bone and associated soft tissue, with one or more debriding solutions where the debriding solution may include one or more alkaline solutions. Incubation is optionally carried out with one or more debriding agents including inert dry granular or particulate material including for example beads, and the granular phase of an alkaline agent, including for example granular sodium hydroxide. The incubating may be carried out with agitation. In another embodiment, the medullary canal of the bone is subjected to a positive pressure stream of debriding solution under conditions sufficient to loosen the associated soft tissue from the bone at the interface of the soft tissue and bone. In a further embodiment, the debriding solution is provided as a gel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone. The apparatus demineralizes bone by subjecting bone, including, for example, ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to either a rapid high volume pulsatile acidification wave process or to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The pulsatile acidification wave process includes subjecting bone to two or more rapid pulse/drain cycles in which one or more demineralizing acids is rapidly pulsed into a vessel containing bone, and after a desired period of time, is rapidly drained from the vessel. The continuous acid demineralization process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution in which the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the container holding the bone through an ion exchange media.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of debriding bone including incubating the bone and associated soft tissue, with one or more debriding solutions where the debriding solution may include one or more alkaline solutions. Incubation is optionally carried out with one or more debriding agents including inert dry granular or particulate material including for example beads, and the granular phase of an alkaline agent, including for example granular sodium hydroxide. The incubating may be carried out with agitation. In another embodiment, the medullary canal of the bone is subjected to a positive pressure stream of debriding solution under conditions sufficient to loosen the associated soft tissue from the bone at the interface of the soft tissue and bone. In a further embodiment, the debriding solution is provided as a gel.

Abstract: The invention provides a plasticized bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in natural tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the plasticized bone or soft tissue product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a textured bone allograft for implantation in a patient, having one or more textured bone surfaces, and methods of making and using the textured bone graft. The textured surface preferably includes a plurality of closely spaced discrete, continuous, or a combination thereof, protrusions. The textured bone allograft is useful for repairing bone defects caused by congenital anomaly, disease, or trauma, in a patient, for example, for restoring vertical support of the anterior column. Implantation of the textured bone allograft results in improved graft stability and osteoinductivity, without a decrease in mechanical strength. The textured bone allograft does not shift, extrude or rotate, after implantation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of debriding bone including incubating the bone and associated soft tissue, with one or more debriding solutions where the debriding solution may include one or more alkaline solutions. Incubation is optionally carried out with one or more debriding agents including inert dry granular or particulate material including for example beads, and the granular phase of an alkaline agent, including for example granular sodium hydroxide. The incubating may be carried out with agitation. In another embodiment, the medullary canal of the bone is subjected to a positive pressure stream of debriding solution under conditions sufficient to loosen the associated soft tissue from the bone at the interface of the soft tissue and bone. In a further embodiment, the debriding solution is provided as a gel.

Abstract: A process for removing essentially all bone marrow from a cut bone graft and the cut bone graft produced thereby. A large substantially intact bone is selected and excess cartilage and associated soft tissues are removed from the surface of the bone. The bone is left whole or may be cut into appropriate smaller pieces constituting cut grafts and bone marrow is removed from the cancellous bone spaces of the small cut grafts through the application of centrifugal force. Prior to and/or following the application of centrifugal force, the bone graft may optionally be pretreated with one or more decontaminating agents, and/or solubilizing agents.