Shaped umbilical cord transplant product

Abstract

A shaped transplant product 10 derived from human umbilical cord 2 has a collagenous tissue membrane 20 derived from an umbilical cord 2 made essentially of thick collagenous tissue which is shaped to form a soft tissue barrier or wound covering or other internal or external wound healing attachment. The shaped transplant product 10 S has a defined memory shape that can be configured to pass through a hollow cylindrical trocar or arthroscopy device for implantation. The defined memory shape can be a hollow elongated split tube. The split tube along the split can have abutting edges. The split tube can have an open split forming a gap between edges adjacent the open slit. The split tube can have overlapping edges. The split tube can have an elongated body having a center portion tapering toward opposing smaller ends to form a pre-set shape.

1 . A shaped transplant product derived from human umbilical cord comprising:
 a collagenous tissue membrane derived from an umbilical cord, configured as a soft tissue barrier or wound covering or other internal or external wound healing attachment, wherein the collagenous tissue membrane is shaped during manufacture to have a defined memory retained shape wherein the defined memory retained shape is a hollow cylindrically shaped wall of the collagenous tissue membrane formed as a hollow elongated split tube having ends defining a length of the split tube and wherein the hollow elongated split tube has a longitudinal extending slit forming a gap between two opposing edges adjacent the slit extending the length of the split tube configured to open and pass blood or nerve vessels inside the walls of the collagenous tissue membrane wherein the cut collagenous tissue membrane has a plurality of suture entry sites, the suture entry sites formed integrally in the cylindrically shaped wall along the two opposing edges adjacent the slit, each suture entry site has a structurally enhanced peripheral wall adjacent a thin center surrounded by the peripheral wall thickened relative to the cylindrically shaped wall of the split tube that acts and performs like a grommet but without any additional reinforcements, wherein the hollow elongated split tube along the split forming the gap is configured to close allowing the two opposing edges to abut when sutured wherein each of the plurality of suture entry sites is formed by a heated tip that forms the peripheral wall thickened and toughened creating the structurally enhanced peripheral wall encircling each of the suture entry sites.   
     
     
         2 . The shaped transplant product of  claim 1  wherein the defined memory retained shape is configured to pass through a hollow cylindrical trocar or arthroscopy device for implantation. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The shaped transplant product of  claim 3  wherein the split tube has overlapping edges. 
     
     
         7 . The shaped transplant product of  claim 3  wherein the split tube has an elongated body having a center portion tapering toward opposing smaller ends to form a pre-set shape. 
     
     
         8 . The shaped transplant product of  claim 1  wherein the shaped transplant has a shape imparted by a mandrel or core during manufacture, the mandrel or core being removed leaving the shaped transplant product with a pre-set defined memory retained shape. 
     
     
         9 . The transplant product of  claim 1  wherein structural, chemical and biochemical properties of the collagenous tissue membrane are retained, the collagenous tissue membrane is cleaned removing veins, arteries and Wharton's jelly without exposure to chemicals. 
     
     
         10 . The transplant product of  claim 9  wherein the collagenous tissue membrane is soaked in saline solution under agitation for a predetermined time to structurally increase tear resistance of the collagenous tissue membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The transplant product of  claim 10  wherein the collagenous tissue membrane is free of meconium. 
     
     
         12 . The transplant product of  claim 1  wherein the collagenous tissue membrane has a transparent or translucent appearance of a clear or pink color. 
     
     
         13 . The transplant product of  claim 1  wherein the collagenous tissue membrane is subjected to a vacuum drying process under vacuum at a prescribed vacuum over a predetermined time at room temperature sufficient to dry without altering structural or chemical properties of the collagenous tissue membrane. 
     
     
         14 . The transplant product of  claim 8  wherein the collagenous tissue membrane is cut into square or rectangular shapes and then rolled onto the mandrel or core to form the defined memory retained shape. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The transplant product of  claim 1  wherein each of the suture entry sites is heat formed having a reduced thickness puncture center surrounded by the toughened collagenous tissue membrane wall. 
     
     
         18 . The transplant product of  claim 17  wherein the toughened collagenous tissue membrane wall is rigid and thickened relative to exterior surfaces of the wall of collagenous tissue membrane. 
     
     
         19 . The transplant product of  claim 18  wherein the collagenous tissue membrane has two suture entry sites. 
     
     
         20 . The transplant product of  claim 19  wherein the cut collagenous tissue membrane is cut into a small size to form a pledget for suturing through a thin tissue. 
     
     
         21 . The transplant product of  claim 20  wherein the cut collagenous tissue membrane has the at least one suture entry site positioned in a corner of the square or rectangular cut membrane. 
     
     
         22 . The transplant product of  claim 21  wherein each corner of the cut collagenous tissue membrane is folded over to make a double thickness cut collagenous tissue membrane at the suture entry site. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The transplant product of  claim 1  wherein the number of the plurality of suture entry sites adjacent one edge is one less, equal to or one more than the number of suture entry sites of the opposite edge. 
     
     
         25 . The transplant product of  claim 24  wherein the suture entry sites of one edge are offset relative to the suture entry sites of the opposite edge wherein the offset is arranged and positioned so the suture entry sites on one edge are interposed between the suture entry sites of the other edge when the collagenous tissue membrane is rolled or folded such that the two opposing edges are aligned. 
     
     
         26 . The transplant product of  claim 25  wherein the suture entry sites are configured to pass a suture helically wrapped to form a cylindrical cut collagenous tissue membrane for wrapping about a nerve, vein, artery or any other tubular or round tissue vessel. 
     
     
         27 . The transplant product of  claim 1  wherein the transplant product has the collagenous tissue membrane dried, the dried membrane having a thickness in the range of 100 to 1000 microns.