Abstract: A method of creating an implantation material from biological and tissue engineered biosynthetic and biological tissue of autogenic, allogenic and xenogenic origin suitable for implantation into humans or animals as surgical and vascular prostheses. The resultant material inhibits in vivo calcification and provides a non-porous biomatrix which is impervious to angiogenesis and tissue ingrowth and suitable for the adhesion and retention of transplanted living cells such as endothelial cells, without the need for additional extracellular matrix protein coating. The method, which incorporates a gradual increase in glutaraldehyde concentration from 0% to no more than 5% weight/volume in a pH which is gradually changed from acid to alkaline at room temperature, maintains the micro-architecture and the cellular lining of the material. Additionally flexibility, compliance and haemo-compatibility along with strength and durability can be varied according to the end use.

Abstract: A method of creating an implantation material from biological and tissue engineered biosynthetic and biological tissue of autogenic, allogenic and xenogenic origin suitable for implantation into humans or animals as surgical and vascular prostheses. The resultant material inhibits in vivo calcification and provides a non-porous biomatrix which is impervious to angiogenesis and tissue ingrowth and suitable for the adhesion and retention of transplanted living cells such as endothelial cells, without the need for additional extracellular matrix protein coating. The method, which incorporates a gradual increase in glutaraldehyde concentration from 0% to no more than 5% weight/volume in a pH which is gradually changed from acid to alkaline at room temperature, maintains the micro-architecture and the cellular lining of the material. Additionally flexibility, compliance and haemo-compatibility along with strength and durability can be varied according to the end use.

Abstract: A biomaterial is provided which is suitable for use in surgery in a human patient. It includes a coherent layer of non-human collagenous tissue which has been subjected to glutaraldehyde tanning so as to include cross-linked collagen fibrils, and a reinforcement of synthetic material embedded within the coherent layer. The synthetic material has structure features for promoting the embedding, the synthetic material having on average in situ more than 50 of the features per square centimeter.

Abstract: A biomaterial is provided which is suitable for use in surgery in a human patient. It comprises a coherent layer of non-human collagenous tissue which has been subjected to glutaraldehyde tanning so as to comprise cross-linked collagen fibrils, and a reinforcement of synthetic material embedded within the coherent layer. The synthetic material has structure features for promoting the embedding, the synthetic material having on average in situ more than 50 of the features per square centimeter. Improvements are also provided in a method of producing biomaterials by allowing collagenous tissue growth on mesh structures covering support surfaces implanted into host animals. In one aspect a tubular synthetic fiber mesh structure fits loosely over a support rod or tube, and in the other aspect a sheet support is used and the tissue growing around the sheet support is adapted to form a pocket, pouch or envelope of collagenous material.

Abstract: A biomaterial is provided which is suitable for use in surgery in a human patient. It comprises a coherent layer of non-human collagenous tissue which has been subjected to glutaraldehyde tanning so as to comprise cross-linked collagen fibrils, and a reinforcement of synthetic material embedded within the coherent layer. The synthetic material has structure features for promoting the embedding, the synthetic material having an average in situ more than 50 of the features per square centimeter. Improvements are also provided in a method of producing biomaterials by allowing collagenous tissue growth on mesh structures covering support surfaces implanted into host animals. In one aspect a tubular synthetic fibre mesh structure fits loosely over a support rod or tube, and in the other aspect a sheet support is used and the tissue growing around the sheet support is adapted to form a pocket, pouch or envelope of collagenous material.

Abstract: Material for use in a biological environment is produced by subjecting a sheet of parietal pleura to glutaraldehyde tanning. The pleura is stretched and cleansed of excessive tissue to result in a membrane of substantially uniform thickness prior to tanning.The material produced by the invention may be used as a surgical graft material, in which case the visceral surface of the pleura may provide a blood contacting surface. The material may also be used as a surgical dressing.The pleura may be obtained from various animal species but will commonly be bovine pleura.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is produced by subjecting a length of animal ureter to glutaraldehyde tanning. The lumen of the ureter is dilated and the ureter is set in the dilated configuration by the tanning process. The ureter may be strengthened by a surrounding sheath of polyester mesh.Ureters for use in the invention can be obtained from a wide range of animal species, but preferably from cattle and sheep.Prostheses can be produced in accordance with the invention for a wide range of revascularization surgery procedures in human patients.

Abstract: Vascular prosthesis suitable for use as a surgical graft is produced by implanting a rod or tube in a living host animal such as a sheep and allowing collagenous tissue to grow on the implant to form a coherent tubular wall of collagenous tissue. The implant is subsequently removed and the tubular wall of collagenous tissue is stripped from the rod or tube and tanned in glutaraldehyde to serve as a vascular prosthesis.