Abstract: A wound closure assembly and method for its use. The wound closure assembly includes a curved inserter having a distal end and a proximal end, a filamentary element extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the proximal end of the curved inserter, a first anchor coupled to the filamentary element between its first and second ends, and a second anchor positioned at the distal end of the filamentary element. The filamentary element is configured to form a slip knot between the first and second anchors so as to enable the distance between the first and second anchors to be decreased by pulling on the proximal end of the filamentary element. The distal end of the curved inserter is received within a channel in the first anchor that extends along its longitudinal length.

Abstract: A suture including a shaft extending longitudinally along a length of the suture, and a plurality of barbs extending outwardly from said shaft. At least one of the barbs is non-symmetrical about a primary plane extending along the longitudinal length of the suture, and bisecting a distal tip of the barb and a center of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for preventing or reducing postoperative ileus and gastric stasis. Such compositions comprise a combination of an oxidized regenerated cellulose component and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which functions as an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase enzyme (Cox) activity. Such methods comprise administering an effective amount of the composition directly to the serosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal and other visceral organs.

Abstract: A wound closure assembly and method for its use. The wound closure assembly includes a curved inserter having a distal end and a proximal end, a filamentary element extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the proximal end of the curved inserter, a first anchor coupled to the filamentary element between its first and second ends, and a second anchor positioned at the distal end of the filamentary element. The filamentary element is configured to form a slip knot between the first and second anchors so as to enable the distance between the first and second anchors to be decreased by pulling on the proximal end of the filamentary element. The distal end of the curved inserter is received within a channel in the first anchor that extends along its longitudinal length.

Abstract: A method for repairing friable tissue having a defect therein includes providing a looped barbed suture having a plurality of barbs extending outwardly therefrom along at least a portion of a length thereof, and having first and second ends, first and second end portions and a middle portion therebetween. The first and second ends are fixedly coupled to a single needle, and the plurality of barbs extends outwardly away from the needle. The steps further include placing the looped barbed suture around an outer surface of the friable tissue in a spaced apart configuration and so as to extend across the defect, passing the needle through the friable tissue and around the middle portion of the looped barbed suture one or more times at the middle portion, and removing the needle from the looped barbed suture.

Abstract: A method for repairing friable tissue having a defect therein includes providing a looped barbed suture having a plurality of barbs extending outwardly therefrom along at least a portion of a length thereof, and having first and second ends, first and second end portions and a middle portion therebetween. The first and second ends are fixedly coupled to a single needle, and the plurality of barbs extends outwardly away from the needle. The steps further include placing the looped barbed suture around an outer surface of the friable tissue in a spaced apart configuration and so as to extend across the defect, passing the needle through the friable tissue and around the middle portion of the looped barbed suture one or more times at the middle portion, and removing the needle from the looped barbed suture.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for preventing or reducing postoperative ileus and gastric stasis. Such compositions comprise a combination of an oxidized regenerated cellulose component and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which functions as an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase enzyme (Cox) activity. Such methods comprise administering an effective amount of the composition directly to the serosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal and other visceral organs.

Abstract: A suture including a shaft extending longitudinally along a length of the suture, and a plurality of barbs extending outwardly from said shaft. At least one of the barbs is non-symmetrical about a primary plane extending along the longitudinal length of the suture, and bisecting a distal tip of the barb and a center of the shaft.

Abstract: A looped tissue-grasping device includes a looped suture having two ends swaged to a needle and a plurality of tissue-grasping elements provided on the looped suture. The device is used for joining bodily tissue in surgical applications and wound repair. The configuration of the tissue-grasping elements permit movement of the suture through the tissue in the direction the needle is pulled and, prevent slippage or movement of the suture in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the needle.

Abstract: A medical construct particularly useful as a stent, comprising an axially compressible bellows of a material and dimensions sufficient to provide negligible resistance to flexure transverse to the axis and negligible recoil under compression or expansion along the axis, and apparatus and a method for deploying the same.

Abstract: There is described a process for deploying a medical construct in a body cavity, so as to function for example as a stent in a body lumen. The construct is used by forming a coil from a strand that has an interior and an exterior portion, and thereafter heating while expanding the coil so as to melt only the exterior portion. When that melted portion resolidifies with the coil in the expanded state, the coil's integrity and resistance against forces such as compression is maintained by the unmelted but stretched interior portion, and the expanded shape is maintained by the adhesiveness of the solidified exterior portion.