Abstract: A prosthesis used for a damaged bone, an artificial articular cartilage or an artificial intervertebral disc being characterized in that the prosthesis is a composite body comprising polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel and ceramic or metallic porous body. With this prosthesis, PVA hydrogel enhances lubrication and shock absorbing functions, and the porous body allows the ingrowth and ossification of the bone tissue of a living body therein to affinitively connect said hydrogel to the bones of the living body.

Abstract: A prosthesis used for a damaged bone, an artificial articular cartilage or an artificial intervertebral disc being characterized in that the prosthesis is a composite body comprising polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel and ceramic or metallic porous body. With this prosthesis, PVA hydrogel enhances lubrication and shock absorbing functions, and the porous body allows the ingrowth and ossification of the bone tissue of a living body therein to affinitively connect said hydrogel to the bones of the living body.

Abstract: Disclosed are a crosslinked gelatin microspheres containing CSF and a water soluble CSF-gelatin conjugate. Both the microspheres and the water soluble conjugate provide an improved CSF stability. They have a high potentiation on the antitumor activity of macrophages in respect of the CSF amount and the time required for macrophage activation and are effective in maintaining their activated state for a long period, compared with the native CSF. The mechanism of macrophage activation by the microspheres containing CSF is mediated via phagocytosis and different from that by native CSF, which is believed to activate macrophages via cell surface receptor. The species specificity of CSF may be abrogated when the CSF is internalized into macrophages through phagocytosis.

Abstract: A periodontium-regenerating material for the regenerative treatment of the periodontium consists of bio-degradable/absorable copolymers of lactide/.epsilon.-caprolactone or lactide/glycolide having a weight-average molecular weight of 40,000 to 500,000 as well as a dynamic modulus of 5.times.10.sup.7 to 5.times.10.sup.9 dynes/cm.sup.2 and a elongation rate of 100 to 2,000 %, both measured at room temperature (25.degree. C.). Those copolymers may be used in the form of a sheet or film which may or may not be porous.

Abstract: The invention provides a marine fishery article of threads which is made of threads consisting essentially of polycaprolactone represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 300 to 2,000.

Abstract: Biodegradable and resorbable surgical materials of molded articles of poly(lactic acid) or copolymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid, characterized in that the articles are molecular-orientated, and having a bending strength of 1.6.times.10.sup.33 to 2.5.times.10.sup.3 kg/cm.sup.2, a bending modulus of 5.5.times.10.sup.2 to 24.0.times.10.sup.2 kg/cm.sup.2, a crystallinity, determined by density measurement, of 10 to 60%, and a viscosity average molecular weight measured after melt processing of not less than 200,000, and in that at least 80% of initial strength of the articles is maintained after dipping in a saline at 37.degree. C. for three months.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of expanding-contracting hydrogel composites which process comprises the steps of adding solid particles of a polyelectrolyte to a polyvinyl alcohol solution and subjecting the mixture to a low temperature treatment to cause gelation of the polyvinyl alcohol with the polyelectrolyte dispersed as a heterogeneous phase (i.e. solid particles) within the polyvinyl alcohol gel. Hydrogel composites made by the process exhibit high strength and a capacity to expand and contract over a wide range with changes in environment.

Abstract: A catheter is provided which can be safely implanted in the living body for extended periods of time. At least that portion of the catheter which contacts the tissue comprises a cuff of porous material which is made of a vinyl alcohol polymer to which, preferably, collagen has been chemically grafted.

Abstract: A polylactic acid fiber comprises a blend of poly-L-lactic acid and poly-D-lactic acid and is improved by spinning and then drawing.

Abstract: An improved regenerated cellulose membrane formed by ester-bonding an organic carboxylic acid or a functional derivative thereof to a polymeric membrane composed of a regenerated cellulose. This regenerated cellulose membrane exhibits an improved blood compatibility without lowering the dialysis performances of a regenerated cellulose membrane.

Abstract: Polylactic acid microspheres having an average particle diameter of about 0.1 to 10 .mu.m which are produced from solution containing a physiologically active substance by the solvent-evaporation drying process. The microspheres are produced by emulsifying the solution in a non-solvent by the aid of ultrasonic wave. The microspheres produce a sustained release effect of the physiologically active substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel characterized by the following features: the production process consists of a low-temperature processing stage in which the solution of polyvinyl alcohol with a polymerization degree over 1200 is processed at a low temperature so that polyvinyl alcohol is gelated, and a high-temperature processing stage in which the polyvinyl alcohol gelated int he low-temperature processing stage is dried, then processed at higher than 100.degree. C.; in this way, polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with a saturated water content lower than 40 wt % is obtained. The hydrogels of this invention are useful for providing improved artificial articular cartilage for replacement of cartilage in the human body.

Abstract: A soft contact lens of PVA having a tensile strength of not less than 10 kg/cm.sup.2, a water content ranging from 40 to 95% by weight, a visible light transparency of not less than 90%, and an oxygen permeability of not less than 30.times.10.sup.-11 cm.sup.3 .multidot.(STP).multidot.cm/cm.sup.2 .multidot.sec.multidot.mmHg. This soft contact lens can be prepared by forming a solution of PVA in a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent, pouring the PVA solution in a mold having a shape of contact lens, and crystallizing at a temperature of not more than ordinary temperature. The soft contact lens has a high mechanical strength, high water content, high transparency and high oxygen permeability.

Abstract: A synthetic vascular prosthesis comprises a hollow tubular base member having a multitude of continuous pores and formed of an elastomer material, and a hydrogel layer formed on the inner surface of the base member. The hydrogel layer is partly embedded in the inner portion of the base member at the pores, thereby permitting anchoring adhesion between the hydrogel layer and the base member. A method for manufacturing the synthetic vascular prosthesis is also disclosed, in which the formation of pores in the base member is effected by two separate steps and the hydrogel layer is formed after formation of an inner porous portion of the base member.

Abstract: An osteosynthetic pin characterized in that the pin is formed substantially of a poly-L-lactic acid having a molecular weight of at least about 70,000, and is formed by axially drawing about 2 to about 10 times at an elevated temperature of about 70.degree. to about 120.degree. C.

Abstract: An artificial skin or bandage is formed from an elastomeric layer which is surfaced by a fibrous wound contacting layer which is first formed into a fabric and subsequently degraded by heat hydrolysis or other degradative treatment into a form which could no longer be formed into a fabric but which forms an ideal bioabsorbable wound contact surface in which damage to the newly formed, fragile epidermus is minimized.

Abstract: A synthetic vascular prosthesis comprises a hollow tubular base member having a multitude of continuous pores and formed of an elastomer material, and a hydrogel layer formed on the inner surface of the base member. The hydrogel layer is partly embedded in the inner portion of the base member at the pores, thereby permitting anchoring adhesion between the hydrogel layer and the base member. A method for manufacturing the synthetic vascular prosthesis is also disclosed, in which the formation of pores in the base member is effected by two separate steps and the hydrogel layer is formed after formation of an inner porous portion of the base member.

Abstract: A soft contact lens of PVA having a tensile strength of not less than 10 kg/cm.sup.2, a water content ranging from 40 to 95% by weight, a visible light transparency of not less than 90%, and an oxygen permeability of not less than 30.times.10.sup.-11 cm.sup.3.(STP).cm/cm.sup.2.sec.mmHg. This soft contact lens can be prepared by forming a solution of PVA in a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent, pouring the PVA solution in a mold having a shape of contact lens, and crystallizing at a temperature of not more than ordinary temperature. The soft contact lens has a high mechanical strength, high water content, high transparency and high oxygen permeability.

Abstract: A suture coating composition comprising a sucrose fatty acid ester and sutures coated therewith whereby said sutures exhibit improved smoothness in tie-down properties and knotting can be readily accomplished using said suture.

Abstract: Transdermal dosage compositions are prepared from hydrated poly(vinyl alcohol) gels and pharmacologically active substances without any chemicals such as crosslinking agents and catalysts. Heating process is not involved in the gel preparation. High water contents of the gels enable the stratum corneum to be swollen, resulting in high permeation of drugs through the skin.