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Implants designed for replacement of the dura mater, the outermost of the three membranes (i.e., meninges) that cover the brain and the spinal cord. These implants typically consist of patches of biologic or synthetic (usually biodegradable) grafts; they are available in a variety of shapes and sizes according to the intended site of implantation. Synthetic implants are typically bilayered biodegradable composites of a dyed foil (inner face) and an undyed polyglactin; biological implants may consist of a cross-linked collagen matrix (including physiologically compatible collagen that is free of active viruses and prions) that is available as a sponge, a film, or a nonwoven matrix or, less frequently, of allografts taken from cadavers. Dura mater implants are used to repair damage to the surface of the brain and/or spinal cord caused by trauma or disease; collagen matrix implant pores (typically with a diameter of 10 to 500 micrometers) permit infiltration and growth of meningeal tissue.
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