Patent ID: 8337875
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: A61L,C03C

Abstract:
1. A method for directing vessel growth toward a blood-deficient site in a mammal comprising: implanting into the mammal an assembly comprising at least about 5 individual glass fibers to form a vascular bridge with a first end of the vascular bridge in contact with the blood-deficient site and a second end of the vascular bridge remote from the blood-deficient site and proximate a blood-rich site, such that the vascular bridge directs vessel growth to the blood-deficient site; wherein each of said at least about 5 individual glass fibers has a diameter which is between about 20 μm and about 450 μm and a length:diameter aspect ratio of greater than 10:1; wherein the length from the first end of the vascular bridge to the second end of the vascular bridge is at least about 1 millimeter; wherein an aspect ratio of the length to cross section of the bridge at least about 7.5:1; wherein said at least about 5 individual glass fibers are biocompatible glass fibers which biodegrade in physiological fluids and comprise at least one glass-former selected from the group consisting of P