Blood contact surfaces using endothelium on a subendothelial matrix

Abstract

This invention relates to improved blood contact devices such as vascular prostheses rendered antithrombotic through the use of recipient endothelial cells grown on an appropriate subendothelial matrix. The subendothelial matrix layer, which serves as the substratum for growing endothelial cells, may be obtained from either natural donor vessels or from in vitro tissue culture sources. This subendothelial matrix is used in situ on the donor vessel, or is grown or applied to a synthetic component, preferably porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Once this subendothelial matrix is prepared, recipient endothelial cells are seeded onto this matrix substratum, which then serves as the immediate blood contact surface. The endothelial cells may be applied as an intra-operative procedure, or grown on the subendothelial matrix substratum in vitro until the cells establish a confluent monolayer. A key aspect of this invention is that living, recipient endothelial cells are grown on the appropriate subendothelial matrix substratum, thereby providing a substantially nonthrombotic blood contact surface. Furthermore, the likelihood of recipient immunological response is minimized. This invention results in vascular prostheses that are particularly useful for arterial bypass requiring a diameter of 6 mm or less.