IMPROVED BLOOD CONTACT SURFACES EMPLOYING NATURAL SUBENDOTHELIAL MATRIX AND METHOD FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME

摘要

This invention relates to improved vascular prostheses derived from mammalian blood vessels. The prostheses are fabricated from arterial segments from which the donor endothelium has been removed. A key aspect of this invention is the preservation of the subendothelial extracellular matrix that will serve as the blood interface of the vascular prostheses. The vessel segments are treated to reduce the likelihood of calcification and fixed with a tissue preservative. This invention results in vascular prostheses that are particularly useful for small diameter applications, such as arterial replacement requiring a diameter of 6 mm or less.