An easy-to-produce and mechanically strong tube of an implantable graft
prosthesis has been developed which is manufactured in any desired length,
wall thickness, or diameter. The construct produced by the method of the
invention may be used as grafts for arteries, veins, ureters, urethras,
shunts, or in any application where a compliant, tissue-compatible tube is
needed. The manufacture of the graft prosthesis generally involves
wrapping multiple sheets of a purified, collagen-based matrix structure
around a mandrel, compressing and drying the tissue on the mandrel before
removing the construct for eventual use.