摘要 |
A method for improving the tensile strength of wet collagen threads or collagen thread constructs for implantation to replace or repair tissue or organs wherein the strength of the threads is improved by plasticizing the threads with a plasticizing agent, imparting a tensile load to the collagen thread to strain the collagen thread; allowing the strain in the thread to decrease by stress-relaxation or by creep conditioning methods and, finally, removing the plasticizing agent. Prosthetic devices comprising collagen threads with improved strength characteristics are intended to repair load bearing tissues such as ligaments and tendons.
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