Abstract: A method to treat an animal, including a human, having a solid tumor. The method provides a lipophilic lathyrogen. The method administers a therapeutically effective amount of the lipophilic lathyrogen within the solid tumor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to treat a patient having a wound in a tissue structure, where the wound is defined by a wound line, by inhibiting the crosslinking of collagen during the healing of that wound. The method provides a lipophilic lathyrogen, and injects that lipophilic lathyrogen into the tissue structure adjacent the wound line. The wound may result from either injury or surgery. The would may comprise a skin wound, a stenoses, a stricture, a burn, a fibrotic adhesion, and the like.

Abstract: A method to treat an animal, including a human, having a solid tumor. The method provides a lipophilic lathyrogen. The method administers a therapeutically effective amount of the lipophilic lathyrogen within the solid tumor.

Abstract: An antimicrobial wound dressing and method of wound treatment, the wound dressing having a layer of a collagen dressing material impregnated with lyophilized, stabilized chlorine-containing compounds which generate on activation chlorine dioxide, like a mixture of sodium chlorate and sodium chlorite, and an adjacent layer secured thereto containing a dry, activating amount of an acidic compound, such as citric acid, whereby moisture from the wound activates the dry chlorine moiety to treat the wound.

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 method of controlling scar formation in humans byapplying a force to tissue in an amount to create a wound;applying a lathyrogenic agent to the wound;forming the wound into a predetermined stationary or moveable beneficial configuration; andmaintaining the wound in the predetermined configuration and in contact with lathyrogenic agent during healing.

Abstract: An antimicrobial wound dressing and method of wound treatment, the wound dressing having a layer of a collagen dressing material impregnated with lyophilized, stabilized chlorine-containing compounds which generate on activation chlorine dioxide, like a mixture of sodium chlorate and sodium chlorite, and an adjacent layer secured thereto containing a dry, activating amount of an acidic compound, such as citric acid, whereby moisture from the wound activates the dry chlorine moiety to treat the wound.

Abstract: An antimicrobial wound dressing and method of wound treatment, the wound dressing having a layer of a collagen dressing material impregnated with lyophilized, stabilized chlorine-containing compounds which generate on activation chlorine dioxide, like a mixture of sodium chlorate and sodium chlorite, and an adjacent layer secured thereto containing a dry, activating amount of an acidic compound, such as citric acid, whereby moisture from the wound activates the dry chlorine moiety to treat the wound.

Abstract: A method of repairing connective tissue uses a heterograft for supporting ingrowth of ligament or tendon connective tissue to replace damaged connective tissue in a subject which is composed of a plurality of long, thin fibers extracted from animal connective tissue having generally the same mechanical properties as the tissue to be replaced. The individual fibers are extracted by a sequence of chemical treatments and mechanical treatments, purified to eliminate foreign material from the fibers, and cross-linked to a degree that causes their shrinkage temperature to have a preselected value that corresponds to the desired tensile strength, allows only a preselected amount of water retention by the fibers in order to enhance attraction of fibrogenic cells to the fiber surfaces, and avoids producing foreign body reaction to the heterograft. The fibers are maintained generally parallel in a bundle or weave.

Abstract: A thin film of hydrophilic hydrogel is applied to a person's skin, including hands, forearms, and face to prevent shedding of minute skin particulates, to prevent fingerprints, and to prevent transmission of toxic substances through the film.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to use a variety of thin membranes, 1.0 to 2.0 mm thick made of any hydrogel polymer, as a temporary cover on organs exposed to air during surgery. The membranes are characterized by a high water content in excess of 85 weight percent, unique biocompatibility, transparency and pliability. These characteristics prevent drying of the organ surface and reduce bacterial contamination of the exposed tissue.

Abstract: There is disclosed a non-toxic physiologically-acceptable polymeric composition comprised of water insoluble, non-crosslinked polymeric compounds having a solubility parameter of between 9.2 and 15.5 (cal/cc).sup.1/2 dissolved in a polar, non-toxic water miscible solvent, which polymeric composition solidifies when placed in contact with living tissue by absorbtion of water and by gradual release of solvent into the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The disclosure deals with a method of treating fibrotic lesions related to abnormal collagen polymerization by topical administration of lathyrogenic substances, such as .beta.-aminopropionitrile fumarate, aminoacetonitrile, D-penicillamine, into the site of the injury. The lathyrogenic drugs are administered by local injection or onto the skin and percutaneously transported into the site of the lesion. Lathyrogens, administered locally as a single drug or in combination do not produce any local or systemic toxic effects and are improving the function of the pathological fibrosis based on the accumulation of polymerized collagenous protein.

Abstract: An intravaginal insert, serving as a mechanical and chemical contraceptive barrier is described. The insert consists of a thin circular disc bilayer of a resilient and fluid absorbent sponge, preferably made of collagen, laminated on the inside with a soft membrane. Both layers of laminated sponge are connected at the circumference to form a pocket with a small opening. A spermicide, preferably a detergent, is deposited within the matrix of the sponge, which is also buffered to pH 4 to 5. Into a pocket made from this composite material a silastic ring is inserted before wetting the sponge with tap water and inserting it into the upper vault of the vagina to cover the cervix in a similar manner to the standard diaphragm.

Abstract: A contraceptive device and method of contraception as well as a method of making the contraceptive device are described. Native collagen form of fibrillar protein is comminuted and homogenized in an acid environment; noncollagenous material is removed and residual collagen is mixed with water the pH of the resulting slurry is adjusted to 4.5 to 5.0 by the addition of acetic acid; gluteraldehyde is then added and the slurry poured into molds and frozen at approximately -10.degree. centigrade for approximately 20 hours. The frozen mass is then thawed, washed, and immersed in a wash of pH 8 to 9 for approximately 2 hours at 20.degree. centigrade. Sufficient reducing agent is added to the wash to create excess reducing equivalents. The sponge is then immersed in a buffer solution of pH 4 to 5 for a time sufficient to equilibrate to uniform pH. The sponge formed by the above method is then moistened and self-administered in the upper vault of the vagina proximal to the cervix.

Abstract: Method for making a collagen sponge including the following steps. Native collagen form of fibrillar protein is comminuted and homogenized in an acid environment; noncollagenous material is removed and residual collagen is mixed with water the pH of the resulting slurry is adjusted to 4.5 to 5.0 by the addition of acetic acid; gluteraldehyde is then added and the slurry poured into molds and frozen at approximately -10.degree. centigrade for approximately 20 hours. The frozen mass is then thawed, washed, and immersed in a wash of pH 8 to 9 for approximately 2 hours at 20.degree. centigrade. Sufficient reducing agent is added to the wash to create excess reducing equivalents. The sponge is then immersed in a buffer solution of pH 4 to 5 for a time sufficient to equilibrate to uniform pH. The sponge formed by the above method is then moistended and self-administered in the upper vault of the vagina proximal to the cervix. The sponge is then retained for a desired period, usually several days to one month.