Abstract: Synthetic absorbable sutures are prepared from copolyoxalate polymers having isomorphic sequences. The polymers are derived from mixtures of cyclic and linear diols, each having the same carbon chain length of 6 or 8 atoms. The cyclic diol may be aliphatic or aromatic. The diols are polymerized with dialkyl oxalate, preferably in the presence of an inorganic or organometallic catalyst, to obtain a highly crystalline isomorphic copolyoxalate polymer which is melt extruded and drawn to form oriented filaments. The filaments are characterized by good initial tensile and knot strength and a high order of softness and flexibility. When implanted in living animal tissue, the fibers have good strength retention over a period of at least 21 days and eventually absorb with a minimal degree of adverse tissue reaction.

Abstract: Synthetic filaments composed of homopolymers and copolymers of poly(alkylene oxalates) are absorbable in animal tissue with minimal adverse tissue reaction. Polymers prepared by reacting a dialkyl oxalate with an alkylene diol are melt spun and drawn to obtain oriented fibers having good tensile properties and a high level of flexibility and softness. The filaments are particularly useful in the preparation of surgical prosthesis comprising woven or knitted fabrics and meshes. Other absorbable surgical devices including films and molded items may also be prepared from the disclosed polymer.

Abstract: The tie-down properties of multifilament surgical sutures are improved by coating the suture with an absorbable composition comprising a mixture of from about 1 to 4 parts of an absorbable, film-forming polymer, and 1 to 4 parts of a substantially water-insoluble salt of a C.sub.6 or higher fatty acid. Braided sutures coated with from 2 to 10 percent by weight of the composition are characterized by a smooth knot tie-down under both wet and dry conditions.

Abstract: Isomorphic copolymers of .epsilon.-caprolactone with from about 3 to 15 percent 1,5-dioxepan-2-one have melting points in the range of 54.degree. to 66.degree. C. and may be extruded into fibers having elongations in the range of 120 to 235 percent. The copolymers are useful for the preparation of filaments, films and molded articles for general and surgical applications including surgical sutures and casts.

Abstract: The tie-down properties of multifilament surgical sutures are improved by coating the suture with a composition comprising a gel of a fatty acid salt in a volatile organic solvent. The gel is prepared by refluxing the fatty acid salt in the organic solvent. Sutures coated with the gel are dried to remove the solvent and deposit a residue of the fatty acid salt on the suture. Sutures coated with from 1 to 5 percent by weight of the dry fatty acid salt are characterized by a smooth knot tie-down under both wet and dry conditions.

Abstract: Absorbable polymers derived from alkylene oxalates are formulated with drugs and introduced into the body to provide a slow, sustained release of the drug over an extended period of time in accordance with the rate of absorption of the polymer. Polymers of alkylene oxalates, particularly wherein the alkylene moiety is C.sub.3 to C.sub.16, are biodegradable in animal tissue and absorb with minimal adverse tissue reaction.

Abstract: This invention provides a holder which retains a natural tissue heart valve assembly during storage and transportation prior to implantation of the valve. The device includes an annular member circumscribing the heart valve assembly above the sewing ring thereof, and resilient arms which extend outwardly of the annular member and are connectable remote from the heart valve assembly. The device further includes resilient elements inclined outwardly for engaging the wall of a container receiving the heart valve holder and also may include a base member for supporting the base of the heart valve assembly and means releasably connecting said base member to said annular member so that the same are in spaced relationship.

Abstract: A receiver for disposing of used surgical sharps particularly needles and scalpel blades, comprising an adhesive-coated, rectangular backing panel having a cover panel and two matrix panels attached along the sides thereof. The matrix panels have cut-out windows of different sizes to accommodate the surgical sharps. In use, one matrix panel is removed and discarded while the other is folded over and secured to the adhesive-coated side of the backing panel. Used surgical sharps deposited in matrix panel windows are retained on the adhesive coating of the backing panel which forms the floor of the matrix window. When all matrix windows are used, or the surgical procedure is complete, the adhesive coated cover panel is folded over the matrix panel to seal the matrix windows and the sharps contained therein. Preferably, the cover panel is transparent to allow the sharps to be visually identified and counted after the receiver is sealed.

Abstract: Relatively high molecular weight, fiber-forming, crystalline copolymers of lactide and glycolide are prepared in a two-stage polymerization process. In the first stage there is prepared a random copolymer of a major proportion of an optically active lactide with a minor proportion of glycolide or d,l-lactide. In the second stage, a major amount of glycolide and a minor amount of lactide monomers are admixed with the copolymer of the first stage and the polymerization resumed until there is obtained a high molecular weight addition copolymer of lactide and glycolide containing from about 50 to 75 wt percent of units derived from glycolide. The polymer is fiber-forming and useful in the preparation of absorbable surgical sutures.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable sutures are prepared from copolyoxalate polymers having isomorphic sequences. The polymers are derived from mixtures of cyclic and linear diols, each having the same carbon chain length of 6 or 8 atoms. The cyclic diol may be aliphatic or aromatic. The diols are polymerized with dialkyl oxalate, preferably in the presence of an inorganic or organometallic catalyst, to obtain a highly crystalline isomorphic copolyoxalate polymer which is melt extruded and drawn to form oriented filaments. The filaments are characterized by good initial tensile and knot strength and a high order of softness and flexibility. When implanted in living animal tissue, the fibers have good strength retention over a period of at least 21 days and eventually absorb with a minimal degree of adverse tissue reaction.

Abstract: Synthetic filaments composed of homopolymers and copolymers of poly(alkylene oxalates) are absorbable in animal tissue with minimal adverse tissue reaction. Polymers prepared by reacting a dialkyl oxalate with an alkylene diol are melt spun and drawn to obtain oriented fibers having good tensile properties and a high level of flexibility and softness. The filaments are particularly useful in the preparation of surgical prosthesis comprising woven or knitted fabrics and meshes. Other absorbable surgical devices including films and molded items may also be prepared from the disclosed polymer.

Abstract: Relatively high molecular weight, fiber-forming, crystalline copolymers of lactide and glycolide are prepared in a two-stage polymerization process. In the first stage there is prepared a random copolymer of a major proportion of an optically active lactide with a minor proportion of glycolide or d,l-lactide. In the second stage, a major amount of glycolide and a minor amount of lactide monomers are admixed with the copolymer of the first stage and the polymerization resumed until there is obtained a high molecular weight addition copolymer of lactide and glycolide containing from about 50 to 75 wt percent of units derived from glycolide. The polymer is fiber-forming and useful in the preparation of absorbable surgical sutures.

Abstract: A one-piece folded package for a plurality of single- or double-armed sutures comprising two suture mounting panels and one intermediate connecting panel. When folded, the panels completely enclose a major portion of the suture strand while the needles are displayed in an area protected by a separate cover flap extending from one panel. The sutures are individually mounted on the two suture mounting panels with the armed end of each suture retained in slits in a foam strip. When the package is opened, the suture mounting panels may be folded to elevate the needles of the sutures in two tiers for easy grasping and removal from the package.

Abstract: Absorbable copolyoxalate polymers having isomorphic sequences are formulated with drugs and introduced into the body to provide a slow, sustained release of the drug over an extended period of time in accordance with the rate of absorption of the polymer. The copolyoxalate polymers are derived from mixtures of cyclic and linear diols, each having the same number of carbon atoms. The polymers are biodegradable in animal tissue and absorb with minimal adverse tissue reaction.

Abstract: Needle-suture combinations are provided wherein a needle having an axial opening in the blunt end thereof for receiving a suture is bonded to the suture with a hot melt wax composition having sufficient bonding strength to secure the needle to the suture during surgical procedures, but which allows the needle to be deliberately removed from the suture by a sharp tug at the completion of the surgical procedure. Needle pulloff values in the range of 1 to 56 ounces (0.028 to 1.58 kg) are readily obtained.

Abstract: A package for multiple strands of surgical sutures which provides for delivery of individual suture strands. The several sutures are contained within a single compartment of the package, with each suture being individually wound in the form of a coil comprising a series of convolutions, each convolution being laterally displaced from adjacent convolutions and disposed in sequence over the length of the suture. Each individual suture within the package compartment is laterally displaced from adjacent sutures in a contiguous, partially overlapping relationship. The desired suture coil configuration and positioning within the package compartment is conveniently obtained by sequentially winding individual sutures around two vertical winding pins in an upwardly spiraling pattern, with successive loops of each suture and successive sutures being displaced laterally along the pins.

Abstract: A controlled release needle-suture combination wherein a fluid swellable suture is attached to a surgical needle having an oversized blind axial opening by inserting the suture into the full depth of the opening and swaging the needle over the outermost portion of the opening so that the end of the suture at the innermost portion of the opening remains uncompressed. Such needle-suture combinations are characterized by having relatively uniform and consistent needle pull-off values regardless of changes in the fluid content of the suture.