Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for providing anonymous cloud encryption are provided. One embodiment of a method for providing anonymous cloud encryption includes communicating an anonymizing token to a key broker. Additionally, the method may include communicating at least one encryption key associated with the anonymizing token to the key broker. The method may also include conducting a secure anonymous transaction with a cloud service using at least one of the encryption keys associated with the anonymizing token.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for providing anonymous cloud encryption are provided. One embodiment of a method for providing anonymous cloud encryption includes communicating an anonymizing token to a key broker. Additionally, the method may include communicating at least one encryption key associated with the anonymizing token to the key broker. The method may also include conducting a secure anonymous transaction with a cloud service using at least one of the encryption keys associated with the anonymizing token.

Abstract: Biocompatible prostheses, specifically, biocompatible heart valves, are described having incorporated therein an effective amount of coating applied thereto to render the valve resistant to in vivo pathologic thrombus formation and in vivo pathologic mineralization. Preferably, the coating is derived from a precursor having the formula: X—Y—Z wherein X is a chemically reactive group capable, upon activation, of bonding to the surface of the heart valve; Y is either null or a relatively inert skeletal moiety resistant to cleavage in aqueous physiological fluids; and Z is a functionally active moiety or a biocompatible agent.

Abstract: A biocompatible heart valve is described having incorporated therein an effective amount of applied coating to render the valve resistant to in vivo pathologic thrombus formation and resistant to in vivo pathologic calcification.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method of cross-linking a tissue, comprising treating the tissue under effective cross-linking conditions with a diunsaturated organic compound comprising structure I: wherein R, R′, and R″ are each independently an organic moiety having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Also disclosed is a cross-linked biological tissue produced by treating the tissue according to the above method.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing antimicrobial, antithrombogenic medical devices. The method employs an antimicrobial treatment process wherein an antimicrobial agent is dissolved in an appropriate solvent and the resulting solution is contacted with a portion of a medical device of interest. The antimicrobial treatment process is advantageously performed without the need for additional compounds to facilitate antimicrobial agent uptake into the device. The method further comprises an antithrombogenic treatment process wherein antithrombogenic agents or materials are applied or otherwise associated with at least some portion of the medical device.

Abstract: A method for treating biomaterial is provided in which a biological tissue, typically after being cross-linked, is contacted with an anticalcification treatment solution under condition effective to render the biomaterial resistant to in vivo calcification upon implantation in a host animal. The anticalcification treatment solutions comprise higher alcohol solutions, a polyol solutions and/or a polar aprotic organic solvent solutions.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method of cross-linking a tissue, comprising treating the tissue under effective cross-linking conditions with a diunsaturated organic compound comprising structure I: 1

Abstract: A method of cross-linking a tissue, comprising treating the tissue under effective cross-linking conditions with a fluid comprising a compound comprising P(CH2OH)3Xn, wherein X is selected from C1-C10 carboxyl, sulfonic acid, sulfonic acid salts, C1-C10 alcohol, or halogens, and n is an integer from 0 to 2, inclusive, and all —X and —CH2OH groups are bonded to the phosphorus atom. In one embodiment, the compound is &bgr;-(tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphino)proprionic acid (THPP).

Abstract: Vascular grafts, and methods for making the same, are provided. The vascular grafts comprise a graft tissue derived from a biological source that is enclosed within an external synthetic sleeve. The synthetic sleeve has an extended length that is greater than the length of the graft tissue. However, the sleeve is longitudinally compressed such that it has a resting length substantially similar to the length of the graft tissue.

Abstract: Biocompatible prostheses, specifically, biocompatible heart valves, are described having incorporated therein an effective amount of coating applied thereto to render the valve resistant to in vivo pathologic thrombus formation and in vivo pathologic mineralization.

Abstract: This invention relates, in general, to a process for cross-linking and stabilizing proteinaceous material, and in particular, to a process for oxidizing collagenous material, by oxidizing the tissue. The invention also relates to the resulting cross-linked product. The method comprises immersing the material to be cross-linked in a solution comprising compounds designed to generate the radical species singlet oxygen or other oxidizing intermediates without the addition of an external energy source. Immersing collagen containing tissue in a solution comprising an oxidizing agent and sufficient dissolved oxygen, under controlled conditions of pH and temperature, provides a cross-linked and stabilized collagen containing tissue that resists chemical and enzymatic degradation.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing antimicrobial, antithrombogenic medical devices. The method employs an antimicrobial treatment process wherein an antimicrobial agent is dissolved in an appropriate solvent and the resulting solution is contacted with a portion of a medical device of interest. The antimicrobial treatment process is advantageously performed without the need for additional compounds to facilitate antimicrobial agent uptake into the device. The method further comprises an antithrombogenic treatment process wherein antithrombogenic agents or materials are applied or otherwise associated with at least some portion of the medical device.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to the process of fixating tissue to obtain tissue for bioprosthetic applications. The fixating process comprises exposing the tissue to a fluid comprising activated difunctional or polyfunctional acids that can react with amino groups in tissue under mild conditions. Activating moieties include disuccinimidyl moieties, n-hydroxy disuccinimidyl moieties, sulfo-disuccinimidyl moieties, and mixtures thereof. The acid is preferably aliphatic difunctional or polyfunctional acids, more preferably a naturally occurring aliphatic difunctional or polyfunctional acids. Even more preferred is an acid consisting of glutaric, suberic acid, sebacic acid, tartaric acid, or mixtures thereof. The activated difunctional or polyfunctional acids are esters comprising the difunctional or polyfunctional acids and the activating moieties.

Abstract: This invention relates to tanning biomaterial to obtain calcification resistant biomaterial with good mechanical properties for bioprosthetic applications. The biomaterial of the invention is obtained by tanning tissue by any method except by oxidation, and then at a later time tanning the tissue by any of the oxidative fixation methods. The process was shown to provide beneficial results with the most frequently used fixation process, which involves fixating tissue with glutaraldehyde. Tissue fixated with glutaraldehyde and then by oxidative fixation has a lower calcification potential than does glutaraldehyde-only tanned tissue and has mechanical properties more similar to glutaraldehyde tanned tissue than to oxidative stabilized tissue. In particular, a process is described where tissue is fixed with glutaraldehyde followed by photoxidation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an iodine-based solution, and a method of using that solution, which sterilizes tissue implants without denaturing the proteins in the implant and without inducing calcification of the implant in vivo. Preferably, the tissue implants sterilized using the present invention are fixed without using glutaraldehyde. Most preferably, the tissue implants are fixed by photooxidation.

Abstract: A lead assembly for a cardiac pacemaker is formed by an electrical conductor having one end connected to the pacemaker and a heart engaging electrode member attached to the opposite end. The electrode member has a profiled contact surface having at least one diametrically extending groove and a coating of iridium oxide thereon. The profiled electrode member offers at least a pair of edges to both grip the heart tissue to reduce relative movement of the electrode while focusing the discharge of the pulses thereby allowing reduction in the polarizing pacing voltage.

Abstract: A polyamide molding composition having good flame retardant and mold release characteristics and improved moldability comprises a nylon polyamide; 500-5000 ppm each of C.sub.12 -C.sub.20 aliphatic alcohol and an aluminum salt of a C.sub.12 -C.sub.20 fatty acid such that the ratio of the parts of salt to the parts of alcohol is at least about 1; and 100-600 ppm of a zinc salt of a C.sub.12 -C.sub.20 fatty acid.

Abstract: A polyamide molding composition having good flame-retardant and mold release characteristics that comprises a polyamide and from 500 to 5000 parts per million each of a C.sub.12 to C.sub.20 aliphatic alcohol and an aluminum salt of a C.sub.12 to C.sub.20 fatty acid such that the ratio of the parts of salt to the parts of alcohol is at least 1.0.