Abstract: A prosthetic repair device comprising a nonabsorbable material, a first absorbable material having a first absorption rate and a second absorbable material having a faster absorption rate than the first absorption rate. Alternatively, the nonabsorbable material is encapsulated with a first absorbable component having a first absorption rate.

Abstract: A barbed monofilament and a method for making the same is provided. The barbed monofilament has a substantially triangular primary cross-section defined by a periphery including first, second and third points of said triangle, and further has a plurality of barbs formed therein. Successive barbs are staggered around the periphery of the monofilament, and extend inwardly into the monofilament to a predetermined depth from the first, second and third points respectively.

Abstract: A prosthetic repair device comprising a nonabsorbable material, a first absorbable material having a first absorption rate and a second absorbable material having a faster absorption rate than the first absorption rate. Alternatively, the nonabsorbable material is encapsulated with a first absorbable component having a first absorption rate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to absorbable, autoclaveable, monofilament fibers prepared from absorbable glycolide-rich polymers, in which the fibers are oriented in the total draw ratio range 4.1 to 5.9X, and are annealed at a temperature between about 165° C. and about 185° C; to brachytherapy seed spacers manufactured from the absorbable, autoclaveable, glycolide-rich polymers, monofilament fibers; and to methods of manufacturing such fibers and brachytherapy seed spacers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to absorbable, autoclaveable, monofilament fibers prepared from absorbable glycolide-rich polymers, in which the fibers are oriented in the total draw ratio range 4.1 to 5.6×, and are annealed at a temperature between about 165° C. and about 185° C.; to brachytherapy seed spacers manufactured from the absorbable, autoclaveable, glycolide-rich polymers, monofilament fibers; and to methods of manufacturing such fibers and brachytherapy seed spacers.

Abstract: A flexible implantable luminal device is disclosed, which is made from a porous cylindrical tube manufactured from extruded fluoropolymer. A fluoropolymer filament is wrapped helically around the external surface of the tube. The filament is fused to the tube to form a unitary composite structure by heating the wrapped tube to a temperature above the melting points of the fluoropolymers. The resulting composite is a radially reinforced flexible luminal prosthesis suitable for implantation, particularly, as a vascular graft or endoprosthesis. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the prosthesis.

Abstract: An improved extrusion method is employed in a process which is used to form tubing for medical applications. The method includes providing an extrusion apparatus having a die which includes a die cavity and a mandrel within the die cavity. The die is rotated in a first rotational direction while the mandrel is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite the first direction. While the die and the mandrel are rotating, a PTFE paste is passed through the annular passage defined between the die and the mandrel. The die cavity is cooled to maintain the PTFE paste passing therethrough at a substantially non-elevated temperature.