Structural analysis of a collagen--polyester composite vascular prosthesis.
The Omniflow Vascular Prosthesis is a collagen--polyester composite which has been used successfully for peripheral vascular replacement.  In this study, we have examined the distribution of the various connective tissue components and the ultrastructural organisation of these in order to understand and allow improvement of its functional properties.  Using immunohistology with specific monoclonal antibodies, types I and III collagens were found to be the major components throughout the prosthesis.  Type VI collagen was also present but was mainly associated with cells, particularly around the polyester mesh and silicone interfaces.  While elastin was absent, two elastic tissue microfibrillar proteins were present uniformly throughout the structure.  Ultrastructurally, clear differences existed between the local environments of the inner surface, which had formed around the silicone mandrel, the polyester mesh within the prosthesis, and the outer collagenous tissue which formed the central wall.  At the inner surface, the amount of collagen was less and the orientation of these fibres was not well defined.  The collagen fibrils in the polyester region were smaller than those of the main wall, which were well ordered and orientated along the axis of the device.
CSIRO Division of Biomolecular Engineering, Victoria, Australia.
J F
JF
White
J A
JA
Werkmeister
G A
GA
Edwards
J A
JA
Ramshaw
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012828:Silicones