Wikipedia
CryoLife, Inc. is a distributor of cryogenically preserved human tissues for cardiac and vascular transplant applications and develops medical devices. Among its products are human heart valves, which are treated to remove excess cellular material and antigens, and BioGlue surgical adhesive.
CryoLife, Inc. incorporated in 1984 in Florida, was the first biomedical company to specialize in the ultra-low temperature preservation of human heart valves used for cardiac reconstruction, primarily in children born with heart defects. The Company preserves and distributes human tissues and develops, manufactures, and commercializes medical devices for cardiac and vascular transplant applications. The human tissues distributed by CryoLife include the CryoValve® SG pulmonary human heart valve and the CryoPatch® SG pulmonary cardiac patch tissue, both processed using CryoLife’s proprietary SynerGraft® technology. CryoLife’s medical devices consist primarily of surgical adhesives, sealants, and hemostats including BioGlue® Surgical Adhesive, BioFoam® Surgical Matrix, PerClot®, which the Company began distributing for Starch Medical, Inc. in October 2010.
The Company preserves small diameter human saphenous vein conduits (3mm to 6mm) for use in peripheral vascular reconstructions and coronary bypass surgery. Failure to achieve revascularization of an obstructed vessel may result in the loss of a limb or even death of the patient. When patients require bypass surgery, the surgeon’s first choice generally is the patient’s own vein tissue. However, in cases of advanced vascular disease, 30% of patients have unsuitable vein tissue for transplantation, and the surgeon must consider using synthetic grafts or preserved human vascular tissue. Small diameter synthetic vascular grafts are generally not optimal for below-the-knee surgeries because they have a tendency to obstruct over time. Preserved human vascular tissues tend to remain open longer and as such are used in indications where synthetics typically fail. In addition, synthetic grafts are not suitable for use in infected areas since they may harbor bacteria and are difficult to treat with antibiotics. Preserved human vascular tissues are ideal grafts for patients with previously infected graft sites. The Company also preserves femoral veins and arteries and aortoiliac arteries for bypass or reconstruction within infected surgical areas.