CryoLife, which specializes in implantable biological devices and surgical adhesives, announced that, according to company data, CryoLife’s BioGlue Surgical Adhesive has been used in more than 500,000 surgical procedures worldwide since its introduction in 1998.
Comprised of purified bovine serum albumin (BSA) and glutaraldehyde, BioGlue controls bleeding by creating a flexible seal upon its application to the tissue repair site. It is approved for use in the U.S. as an adjunct to sutures and staples in surgical repair, and is used primarily in cardiovascular and vascular surgeries. It is also used in the international market as an adjunct to surgical repair for soft tissues. CryoLife’s competitors in the adhesive market include Haemacure, Nerites Corporation, and MedLogic Global.
CryoLife, based in Kennesaw, GA, has also developed a plant-based powder to control surgical bleeding. HemoStase quickly dehydrates blood and promotes clotting on contact. CryoLife began distributing HemoStase in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2008.