Cryolife, Inc.

Medical University of South Carolina

Kelvin G Brockbank

Robert T McNally

Albert E Heacox

Harvey L Bank

Cameron McCaa

John F Carpenter

Steven Goldstein

Judith K Sheldon

Chigoke Adoma

Patti E Dawson

Katherine A Anderegg

An antibiotic cocktail for sterilizing tissue comprising amphotericin B and fluconazole as antifungal agents and a plurality of antibacterial agents. The agents are present in amounts effective to substantially inhibit fungal and bacterial growth while substantially maintaining the viability of the tissue. Also, a method of sterilizing a tissue comprising contacting the tissue with the antibiotic cocktails of the invention at a temperature and for a period of time effective to substantially inhibit fungal and bacterial growth while substantially maintaining the viability of the tissue.

Antibiotic cocktail and method of use

A method of revitalizing cells or tissues that are to be cryopreserved for storage at ultracold temperatures, e.g. -196.degree. C. is disclosed which comprises preincubation of the cells or tissue from about 5 minutes to about 24 hours. The preincubation may be conducted at a temperature ranging from about 27.degree. C. to about 42.degree. C., after which the tissue or cells are cryopreserved.

Process of revitalizing cells prior to cryopreservation

A method of revitalizing cells or tissues that are to be cryopresserved for storage at ultracold temperatures, e.g. -196.degree. C. is disclosed which comprises preincubation of the cells or tissue from about 5 minutes to about 24 hours. The preincubation may be conducted at a temperature ranging from about 27.degree. C. to 42.degree. C., after which the tissue or cells are cryopreserved.

Process of revitalizing cells and tissue prior to cryopreservation

A method is disclosed for preparing a transplantable tissue which has been cryopreserved with an intracellular cryoprotectant and then thawed. After thawing, the tissue is treated with a diluent (or eluent) solution to reduce the level of cryoprotectant in the cells to a substantially non-toxic level. This is conducted using a single dilution step. Cryoprotectants which are removable in this manner include dimethylsulfoxide, glycerol, propanediol and other compounds which penetrate the cells. The dilution step does not require end point titration and can be conducted over a time period greater than about 5 minutes.

Process for preparing tissue for transplantation

A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.

Method for cryopreserving blood vessels

A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant and DMSO is disclosed as a penetrating cyroprotectant.

Kit for cryopreserving blood vessels

A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of styles insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The styles are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.

Disclosed herein is a method for cryopreserving musculoskeletal tissues, such as ligaments, tendons and cartilage, by placing such tissue in contact with a composition containing a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solute, which is preferably dimethylsulfoxide, and a glycosaminoglycan, which is preferably chondroitin sulphate, in an amount sufficient to cryopreserve the musculoskeletal tissue. The addition of a glycosaminoglycan to a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solute permits a broad range of cooling rates to be employed, rather than the very narrow ranges which are employed using a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solvent without the glycosaminoglycan. Also disclosed are a freezing schedule designed to maximize retention of tissue cell viability and biomechanical properties during and after the freezing process, and a thawing schedule which maximizes cell viability.

Method for cryopreserving musculoskeletal tissues

Device and method for cryopreserving blood vessels

The present invention relates to a method of maintaining viability of a cell, tissue or organ. The method involves maintaining the cell, tissue or organ in contact with a storage solution comprising transferrin and selenium at a subambient temperature in a non-frozen state. The invention further relates to a storage solution suitable for use in the above-described method. In one embodiment, the solution comprises insulin, transferrin, hydrocortisone, selenium and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid.

Cell, tissue or organ storage solution

A novel class of nonpermeating cryoprotectants which, when mixed with certain known penetrating cryoprotectants, provide a useful medium for protection of living cells during a cryopreservation process. Algae-derived polysaccharides such as agarose and alginate are useful as nonpermeating cryoprotectants as they form a gel matrix when cooled, protect against ice crystal formation, and yield improved viability of cells when thawed.

Cryoprotective agent and its use in cryopreservation of cellular matter

A method of freezing, storing and thawing collagen-rich tissue, such as heart valves. The method includes a freezing profile for freezing the tissue down to the temperature of liquid nitrogen with minimal tissue damage due to ice crystal formation. Heart valves cryopreserved according to the present process exhibit a high cell viability when thawed and are suitable for implanting in human patients.

Growing community of inventors

Marietta, GA, United States of America

Kelvin G Brockbank