Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An ex vivo method of treating a biological material to inhibit in vivo calcification of said biological material after implantation into a human or animal body, wherein said method includes a dimethyl sulfoxide contacting step: the dimethyl sulfoxide contacting step consists essentially of: contacting said biological material ex vivo with neat dimethyl sulfoxide in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to inhibit calcification of said biological material after implantation into a human or animal body, thereby treating said biological material; and preserving said biological material by contacting the biological material with glutaraldehyde ex vivo; wherein said biological material is a natural or synthetic material suitable for implantation in vivo, and wherein said dimethyl sulfoxide contacting step is performed after thawing when said biological material is cryopreserved.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
An ex vivo method of treating a biological material to inhibit in vivo calcification of said biological material after implantation into a human or animal body, wherein said method includes a dimethyl sulfoxide contacting step: the dimethyl sulfoxide contacting step consists essentially of: contacting said biological material ex vivo with neat dimethyl sulfoxide in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to inhibit calcification of said biological material after implantation into a human or animal body, thereby treating said biological material; and preserving said biological material by contacting the biological material with glutaraldehyde ex vivo; wherein said biological material is a natural or synthetic material suitable for implantation in vivo, and wherein said dimethyl sulfoxide contacting step is performed after thawing when said biological material is cryopreserved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said preserving is carried out prior to said contacting with said dimethyl sulfoxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said preserving is carried out subsequent to said contacting with said dimethyl sulfoxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said contacting comprises immersing said biological material in said dimethyl sulfoxide at a temperature of from about 18° C. to about 60° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein said immersing is conducted for a time period ranging from about three minutes to about 48 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said biological material is a natural biological tissue of animal origin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said biological tissue is selected from the group consisting of heart valves and pericardium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein said heart valves and pericardium are obtained from cattle, pigs, horses, yak, or kangaroo.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said biological material is a human homograft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said biological material is synthetically derived.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein said biological material is reconstituted collagen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dimethyl sulfoxide treated biological material prepared according to the method recited in claim 1.