Surgical aids containing pharmaceutically acceptable fixed-dried human blood platelets

Abstract

Fixed-dried human blood platelets and processes for preparing them are disclosed. The platelets, upon reconstitution: adhere to thrombogenic surfaces; do not adhere to non-thrombogenic surfaces; undergo shape change (spreading) upon adhering to a thrombogenic surface; adhere to one another to form a hemostatic plug upon adhering to a thrombogenic surface; and release their granular contents. Surgical aids containing such platelets are also disclosed. The platelets are preferably fixed by a fixative such as formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, or glutaraldehyde, or fixed by a permanganate fixate. The platelets are preferably dried by lyophilization.