Collagenous tissue compositions

Abstract

Implant compositions are disclosed consisting of a biocompatible carrier medium such as a saline or dextran solution and particles of collagenous material dispersed therein. The collagenous material is derived from tissue which has been milled to provide fragments of collagen fibres which preserve the architecture of the original fibres and their molecular structure. The collagenous material is also substantially free of non-fibrous tissue proteins, glycoproteins, cellular elements and lipids or lipid residues, and is non-cytotoxic. By suitable choice of particle size and concentration, the composition may be presented in injectable form or as a paste. The compositions are suitable for application in cosmetic and reconstruction surgery.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . An implant composition comprising a biocompatible carrier medium having dispersed therein solid or semi-solid particles of collagenous material that are derived from a natural tissue material,
 wherein said collagenous material preserves the original fiber architecture and molecular ultrastructure of the natural tissue material from which it is derived,   wherein said collagenous material is substantially free of non-fibrous tissue proteins, glycoproteins, cellular elements, lipids or lipid residues,   wherein said collagenous material is non-cytotoxic; and   wherein said implant composition is capable of use as a component of a paste, gel or an injectable solution.   
   
   
       11 . The implant composition according to  claim 10 , wherein said collagenous material is free of antigenic polysaccharides and mucopolysaccharides. 
   
   
       12 . The implant composition according to  claim 10 , wherein said collagenous material contains a proportion of elastin. 
   
   
       13 . The implant composition of  claim 10 , wherein said collagenous material is crosslinked. 
   
   
       14 . The implant composition of  claim 10 , wherein said biocompatible carrier medium is at least one medium selected from the group consisting of saline, glycerol, a dextran solution, and a non-toxic antigenic viscous polysaccharide. 
   
   
       15 . The implant composition of  claim 10 , wherein said collagenous material comprises approximately 10 percent by weight to approximately 90 percent by weight of the implant composition. 
   
   
       16 . The implant composition of  claim 10 , wherein said collagenous material comprises approximately 10 percent by weight to approximately 80 percent by weight of the implant composition. 
   
   
       17 . The implant composition of  claim 10 , wherein said collagenous material comprises approximately 10 percent by weight to approximately 70 percent by weight of the implant composition. 
   
   
       18 . The implant composition of  claim 10 , wherein said composition is moldable or shapeable. 
   
   
       20 . A method of using an implant composition comprising the step of administering to a patient in need of treatment the composition of claim  1 , 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the treatment is selected from the group consisting of medical, surgical, reconstructive, cosmetic, and alleviation of scar formation.