Abstract: A blood flow path is formed from a heart chamber to a coronary vessel on an exterior surface of a heart wall. A hollow conduit has a vessel portion and a myocardial portion. The vessel portion has an open leading end sized to be inserted into the coronary vessel. The myocardial portion has an open leading end and the myocardium portion is sized to extend through a thickness of the heart wall. The myocardial portion is placed in the heart wall with the open leading end of the myocardial portion protruding into the heart chamber. Blood flow through the conduit from the heart chamber is at least partially blocked. The leading end of the vessel portion is placed in the coronary vessel. Blood flow through the conduit from the heart chamber and into the vessel is then opened.

Abstract: A blood flow path is formed from a heart chamber to a coronary vessel on an exterior surface of a heart wall. A hollow conduit has a vessel portion and a myocardial portion. The vessel portion has an open leading end sized to be inserted into the coronary vessel. The myocardial portion has an open leading end and the myocardium portion is sized to extend through a thickness of the heart wall. The myocardial portion is placed in the heart wall with the open leading end of the myocardial portion protruding into the heart chamber. Blood flow through the conduit from the heart chamber is at least partially blocked. The leading end of the vessel portion is placed in the coronary vessel. Blood flow through the conduit from the heart chamber and into the vessel is then opened.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for sterilizing biological tissues. The invention also includes sterilized biological tissues.

Abstract: The transmyocardial implant for establishing blood flow through the myocardium between a heart chamber and a lumen of a coronary vessel includes a hollow rigid conduit extending between the lumen and the heart chamber. The conduit includes a first portion for placement in the vessel. The first portion includes an attachment location spaced from an open end for securing a suture around the vessel overlying the first portion at the attachment location. The conduit is formed of a rigid material to resist deformation in response to contraction of the myocardium and the conduit is resistant to thrombus. A tissue growth-inducing material is secured to an exterior of the first portion at the attachment location.

Abstract: A blood flow path is formed from a heart chamber to a coronary vessel on an exterior surface of a heart wall. A hollow conduit has a vessel portion and a myocardial portion. The vessel portion has an open leading end sized to be inserted into the coronary vessel. The myocardial portion has an open leading end and the myocardium portion is sized to extend through a thickness of the heart wall. The myocardial portion is placed in the heart wall with the open leading end of the myocardial portion protruding into the heart chamber. Blood flow through the conduit from the heart chamber is at least partially blocked. The leading end of the vessel portion is placed in the coronary vessel. Blood flow through the conduit from the heart chamber and into the vessel is then opened.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing collagen containing tissue includes crosslinking the tissue to form a crosslinked biological tissue. The tissue is maintained in a hydrated state. The crosslinked, collagen-containing tissue is sterilized by irradiating the tissue with a beam of accelerated electrons. The biological tissue exposed to accelerated electrons is suitable for surgical implantation. The irradiated biological tissue is not significantly degraded following irradiation. The irradiation can be performed on tissue that has been packed in a container in a hydrated state.

Abstract: The transmyocardial implant for establishing blood flow through the myocardium between a heart chamber and a lumen of a coronary vasculature includes a hollow rigid conduit extending between the lumen and the heart chamber. The conduit is formed of a rigid material to resist deformation in response to contraction of the myocardium and the conduit is resistant to thrombus. A tissue growth-inducing material is secured to an exterior of the conduit. The tissue growth-inducing material is positioned to discourage tissue growth over openings of the implant.