Turning Tragedy into Hope

LifeNet Health regularly takes tragedy and turns it into hope. Our full line of allograft bio-implants maximizes the precious gift of donated tissue and provides surgeons with the tools they need to improve the lives of patients. LifeNet Health invests heavily in research and development to bring new benefits to our partners. Currently, we hold more than 30 patents, and our pipeline holds great promise for the future.

In 2009, four medical centers in the United States began using LifeNet Health’s cardiac allograft bio-implants with patented Matracell® technology in pediatric cardiac surgery. CardioGraft® Pulmonary Artery Patch Allograft decellularized with Matracell had shown the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life and outcomes in the pediatric population.

LifeNet Health is now extending this extraordinary technology to children across the country.  “Every day we receive letters thanking us for saving lives,” says Cardiovascular Vice President Perry Lange. “These babies and children are dealing with life-threatening illnesses and require major reconstructive heart surgery,” he explains. “We are thrilled to be able to offer this solution for them.” For further study, a five-year prospective clinical trial has already been initiated.

Matracell technology is a methodology that safely removes greater than 99% of donor cells from cardiovascular tissues while retaining the native biomechanical strength of the tissue. Matracell is a patented and validated process that renders allograft bio-implants acellular, without compromising the biomechanical or desired biochemical properties of an allograft bio implant for its intended surgical application. The Matracell Pulmonary Artery Patch Allograft received FDA clearance in 2008.