Method for making a vascular graft

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1.
A method of processing an umbilical cord having open opposite ends for use as a vascular graft having a section for restricting fluid flow through the graft with a mandrel assembly comprising first and second mandrel members having cooperating means to releasably connect the mandrel members together, and means for making the section for restricting fluid flow through said graft comprising: inserting the first mandrel member into one end of the lumen of an uncured umbilical cord, inserting the second mandrel member into the other end of the lumen of the uncured umbilical cord, connecting the first and second mandrel members together with said cooperating means, forming said umbilical cord by shrinking said umbilical cord onto said connected first and second mandrel members and means for making the section for restricting fluid flow through said graft whereby the umbilical cord conforms to the shape of the connected mandrel members, curing the formed umbilical cord on the first and second mandrel members and said means for making the section for restricting fluid flow through said graft, and removing the first and second mandrel members from said one end and other end of the cured umbilical cord.
2.
The method of claim 1 wherein: said umbilical cord is formed by subjecting the uncured umbilical cord to alcohol to shrink the umbilical cord on the connected first and second mandrel members.
3.
The method of claim 1 wherein: the formed umbilical cord is cured with an aqueous solution of dialdehyde.
4.
The method of claim 1 including: removing the mesenchyme and umbilical arteries from the outside of the uncured umbilical cord that is located on the connected mandrel members before the forming thereof.
5.
The method of claim 1 including: flushing the uncured umbilical cord with a saline solution to remove loose tissue therefrom before insertion of the mandrel members into the lumen thereof