Abstract: The present invention describes a new crossslinkable and crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaesters and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The invention also contemplates a process for producing these polyesters. The crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaesters of the present invention are formed from an aliphatic polyoxaester a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:?O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--C(O)--! Iand a second repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:?--O--R.sub.4 --!.sub.A, II?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--!.sub.B, IIIand(?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof. These aliphatic polyoxaesters may be blended with other polymers which are preferably biocompatible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suture clip for attachment to at least one suture comprising a suture clip body having a central longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, an outer surface and a proximal surface, wherein the inner surface forms a passage that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and is connected to the outer surface by a longitudinal slot which extends from the distal end to the proximal end of the suture clip body and the proximal surface has a major dimension at least five times larger than the diameter of said suture and a collar disposed about said suture clip body engaging the outer surface of the suture clip body to deflect the inner surface to frictionally engage the suture. Also described herein are methods of using this suture clip in surgical procedures.

Abstract: A radiation-curable prepolymer of a polyurethane endtipped with an hydroxy (acrylate or methacrylate) is disclosed. The polyurethane is derived from the reaction of a polyfunctional isocyanate with a hydrolyzable oligomer of an anhydrous cyclic ester of an hydroxy acid. Crosslinked polymers prepared by irradiating the prepolymers are also disclosed. The crosslinked polymers are bioabsorbable and biocompatible with bodily tissue, yet still maintain the outstanding mechanical properties one would expect from a polyurethane. The prepolymers and crosslinked polymers are especially well-suited for the fabrication of surgical devices, particularly wound closure devices such as surgical staples and clips, in a stereolithography apparatus.

Abstract: A one-way adjustable suture retaining device suitable for use in arthroscopic surgery to secure one end of a braided suture comprising a frustum having an end and a base wherein a passage extends from the end to the base and the end has a plurality of slits extending from the end towards the base defining at least two flexible fingers and a process for using the retaining device to secure at least one end of a suture.

Abstract: A sustained release parenteral composition comprising an admixture of at least one drug to be delivered in a therapeutically effective amount and a bioabsorbable lactone polymer containing one or more lactone monomers that is a liquid at body temperature, provided in an amount effective to sustain or extend the release rate of the drug and a method for administering said composition to an animal.

Abstract: The present invention describes aliphatic polyoxaesters containing amines and/or amido groups and blends thereof with other polymers that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The aliphatic polyoxaesters of the present invention have a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:[O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--C(O)-- ]Iand a second repeating unit of the formula:[--O--R.sub.12 --].sub.u, XVIand optionally a third repeating unit with a formula selected from the group consisting of:[--O--R.sub.4 --].sub.A, II[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, III([--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof wherein R.sub.12 contains an internal amine or internal amide group.

Abstract: The present invention describes an aliphatic polyoxaamide polymer and blends thereof that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The aliphatic polyoxaamide of the present invention have a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:[X--C(O)--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--C(O)--] Iand a second repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:[--Y--R.sub.17 --].sub.T, I[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, and III([--O--R.sub.9 --C(O)].sub.P --O--) XIand combinations thereof, wherein X and Y are selected from the group consisting of --O-- and --N(R)--, provided both X and Y are not both --O-- and may be blended with a second polymer that is preferably biocompatable.

Abstract: A sustained release parenteral composition comprising an admixture of at least one drug to be delivered in a therapeutically effective amount and a bioabsorbable lactone polymer containing one or more lactone monomers that is a liquid at body temperature, provided in an amount effective to sustain or extend the release rate of the drug and a method for administering said composition to an animal.

Abstract: The present invention describes aliphatic polyoxaesters containing amines and/or amido groups and blends thereof with other polymers that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The aliphatic polyoxaesters of the present invention have a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:[O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--C(O)-- ]Iand a second repeating unit of the formula:[--O--R.sub.12 --].sub.U, XVIand optionally a third repeating unit with a formula selected from the group consisting of:[--O--R.sub.4 --].sub.A, II[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, III([--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof wherein R.sub.12 contains an internal amine or internal amide group.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new aliphatic polyoxaesters that is bioabsorbable and may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The invention also contemplates a process for producing these polyesters. The aliphatic polyoxaesters of the present invention have a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:[O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--C(O)-- ]Iand a second repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:[--O--R.sub.4 --].sub.A, II[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, and III([--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses polymers of poly(p-dioxanone having an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, as determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C. This invention also describes improved surgical devices and filaments made from poly(p-dioxanone) with an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C. Additionally, disclosed are processes for manufacturing poly(p-dioxanone) with an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, as determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C., as well as, processes for molding surgical articles and extruding surgical filaments from these polymers.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new aliphatic polyoxaesters and blends thereof that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The invention also contemplates a process for producing these polyesters. The aliphatic polyoxaesters of the present invention have a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:[O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1l)(R.sub.2)--C(O)- -] Iand a second repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:[--O--R.sub.4 --].sub.A, II[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, and III([--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof. These aliphatic polyoxaesters may be blended with other polymers which are preferably biocompatable.

Abstract: The present invention provides injectable, bioabsorbable microdispersions suitable for use as a soft tissue repair or augmentation material in animals comprising a fluid carrier that is a liquid polymer selected from the group consisting of liquid polymers and a particulate material. Additionally, the present invention also discloses methods of using these microdispersions for tissue augmentation and repair as well as kits which include prefilled containers to facilitate the use of these materials.

Abstract: The present invention describes an aliphatic polyoxaamide polymer and blends thereof that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The aliphatic polyoxaamide of the present invention have a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:[X--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--C(O)-- ]Iand a second repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:[--Y--R.sub.17 --].sub.T, I[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, and II([--O--R.sub.9 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof, wherein X and Y are selected from the group consisting of --O-- and --N(R)--, provided both X and Y are not both --O-- and may be blended with a second polymer that is preferably biocompatable.

Abstract: We have discovered a process for producing a polypropylene suture including the steps of (a) extruding melted polypropylene resin through an orifice and rapidly quenching the melted polypropylene resin to produce a filament; (b) drawing the filament in the range of from about 5.times. to about 7.5.times. to produce a singly drawn filament; (c) drawing the singly drawn filament in the range of form about 1.times. to about 2.5.times. in a second heated zone being maintained at a temperature in the range of from about 30.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C., to form a doubly drawn filament; (d) shrinking the doubly drawn filament in the range of from about 0.75 percent to about 0.95 percent, in a second heated zone being maintained at a temperature in the range of from about 100.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C., to form a polypropylene suture.

Abstract: A package for retaining at least one ligature comprising a circular plate having a circular recessed base in the central portion thereof and a raised outer perimeter forming an inner wall that extends from and is substantially perpendicular to the base and an upper ring that extends from the inner wall and is substantially perpendicular to the inner wall and extends away from the base; and a flange member having a lower ring with an outer edge and an inner edge, extending from the outer edge is an outer wall which is substantially perpendicular to the lower ring, the outer wall having a top, extending form the top is an outer member that is substantially perpendicularly to the outer wall and extends away from the lower ring wherein the inner wall of the circular plate fits inside the inner edge of the lower ring and is adjacent thereto and the combination of the inner wall, lower ring, the outer wall and the upper ring defines a channel suitable for retaining a ligature said channel having an aperture for rec

Abstract: The present invention provides a new polyamide suture and a process for manufacturing this suture. The suture is made by melt extruding, quenching and drawing a polyamide filament. The polyamide filament is then wound on racks and annealed at a temperature of from about 120.degree. C. to about 185.degree. C. for at least 30 minutes. The sutures produced by this process have improved knot strength, tensile strength and stability.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the security of implantable surgical devices secured to bone tissue comprising implanting in bone tissue a surgical device with a biocompatible adhesive and/or sealant selected from the group consisting of: p1 (a) a material made from monomers of the formula:CHR.sup.1 .dbd.CX.sup.1 Y.sup.1wherein X.sup.1 and Y.sup.1 are each strong electron withdrawing groups, and R.sup.1 is hydrogen or, provided that X.sup.1 and Y.sup.1 are both cyano groups, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group;(b) a semi-crystalline aliphatic poly(ester) of the formula:[--0--R.sup.11 --C(0)--].sub.y,wherein R.sup.11 is selected from the group consisting of --CR.sup.12 H--, --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --0--, --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--CH.sub.2 --, CR.sub.12 H--CH.sub.2, --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.z --O--C(O)-- and --(CH.sub.2).sub.z --C(O)--CH.sub.2 --; R.sup.

Abstract: A piezoelectric medical device prepared by electrostatically spinning a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and a second fluorinated hydrocarbon, and collecting the spun fibers on a suitable receiver. The medical device can be in the form of a vascular prosthesis, neural prosthesis, or wound dressing and the copolymer can be composed of a predominant amount of vinylidene fluoride.

Abstract: A composition of an absorbable polymer and a filler to increase the stiffness of the polymer is disclosed. The filler is a poly[succinimide], which is a bioabsorbable polymer that degrades into a nontoxic, simple amino acid. The composition can be melt processed to prepare medical and surgical devices, particularly those devices which are designed to penetrate bodily tissue or to withstand heavy loads. Typical surgical devices which can be made from the composition include surgical staples and ligating clips.