Abstract: An antibacterial vascular prosthesis obtained by winding a tube, fiber or sheet formed from a polymeric material and combined with an antibacterial substance on the outer surface of a vascular prosthesis composed of a tubular porous body formed of a synthetic resin is provided. The antibacterial vascular prosthesis can exhibit an antibacterial activity over a long period of time without impairing the porous structure, antithrombogenicity and histocompatibility inherent in the vascular prosthesis composed of the tubular porous body formed of the synthetic resin. An antibacterial surgical suture comprising a tube or fiber formed from a polymeric material and combined with an antibacterial substance is also provided.

Abstract: A multifilament surgical suture has an end portion tipped with cyanoacrylate resin. The suture can also include filling agents and lubricants which are incorporated into the suture prior to the suture being tipped. A typical filling agent is glycerol. A typical lubricant includes a copolymer of glycolide and lactide. Tipping is accomplished by passing a portion of the suture through a mist of monomeric cyanoacrylate resin and allowing the resin to harden by curing. The tipped portion may then be cut to create a tipped end for insertion into a surgical needle.

Abstract: Block copolymers wherein one of the blocks is made from hard phase forming monomers and another of the blocks is made from soft phase forming monomers copolymerized with randomly intermingled units of other soft phase forming monomers. The copolymers are useful in forming surgical articles, including both monofilament and multifilament sutures.

Abstract: A higher order polyamide monofilament suture exhibits improved properties such as greater resistance to creep, greater knot security and greater chemical stability in aqueous environments.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polycarbonate-based block polymer, and to fibers and bioresorbable implantable medical devices fabricated from said fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to materials for medical or veterinary use that possess considerably improved properties with regard to friction. The invention also relates to the production of such materials from existing materials that possess suitable bulk properties, but inappropriate frictional properties. This invention also relates to a hydrophilic coating material that provides improved frictional properties.

Abstract: Crystalline, low melting .epsilon.-Caprolactone polymers which undergo accelerated hydrolysis for use, for example, as absorbable coatings for surgical sutures; the polymers bearing basic amine functionalities, ionically or covalently linked to the ester chain, which induce autocatalyzed hydrolysis.

Abstract: A block copolymer for use in the fabrication of bioabsorbable articles such as monofilament surgical sutures is prepared by copolymerizing one or more hard phase forming monomers and 1,4-dioxan-2-one, and then polymerizing one or more hard phase forming monomers with the dioxanone-containing copolymer.

Abstract: A copolymer of p-dioxanone and a prepolymer of p-dioxanone and lactide and/or glycolide, and absorbable surgical devices such as sutures, surgical meshes, surgical staples, hemostatic clips, suture knot clips, and the like made therefrom.

Abstract: An implantable porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils wherein a surface of the material has been modified by the removal of fibrils from the surface so that under magnification the surface has the appearance of freestanding node portions not interconnected by fibrils but rather having open valleys disposed between the freestanding node portions. Unmodified material beneath the surface maintains the original microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils. The modification is preferably done by exposing the surface to radio frequency gas plasma discharge with a reactive etching gas for a lengthy amount of time such as about ten minutes. The depth of fibril removal from the surface is substantially a function of the duration and amount of energy applied to the surface.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for preparing monofilament sutures of improved physical characteristics.

Abstract: A surgical suture material is provided with a thread (1) and, in some cases, a needle (2) to allow formation of a knot with the greatest possible security while expending little effort, even in situations where space is limited--for example, during an endoscopic operation. The suture material has at least one inherently stable coil, loop or similar preformed feature in at least one initial preformed section (3,4) of its length. Another section of the thread (1) or an end of the thread can be threaded or guided through this preformed feature for the purpose of forming a loop and/or knot. The preformed section can take the form of a preformed feature with an approximately spiral shape, for example.

Abstract: Thermoplastic monofilament sutures having improved flexibility and handling characteristics are obtained by a melt spinning process which includes the step of drawing the filaments in a heated zone maintained at a temperature above the melting temperature of the filament. The resulting monofilament sutures have a higher elongation and lower modulus than comparable monofilament sutures obtained without the heated drawing step, and are characterized by a crystalline structure which is more highly ordered in the core of the monofilament suture than in a surrounding annular area.

Abstract: This invention provides various copolymers comprising a repeating unit of the chemical formula:(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CO.sub.2)and other repeating units having a chemical formula selected from the group consisting of:(CHRCO.sub.2),([CH.sub.2 ].sub.5 CO.sub.2),(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CO.sub.2),(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCO.sub.2), andcombinations of two or mope thereof wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer. This invention also relates to use of these copolymers in the fabrication of absorbable surgical devices such as sutures and as coatings for medical devices.

Abstract: This invention relates to materials for medical or veterinary use that possess considerably improved properties with regard to friction. The invention also relates to the production of such materials from existing materials that possess suitable bulk properties, but inappropriate frictional properties. This invention also relates to a hydrophilic coating material that provides improved frictional properties.

Abstract: Porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils wherein a surface of the material has been modified to have increased hydrophobicity as indicated by having a water droplet roll-off angle of less than about 10 degrees in comparison to a typical roll-off angle of greater than about 12 degrees for the unmodified material. Under magnification, the surface morphology may be indistinguishable from that of the unmodified precursor material. The modification is preferably done by exposing the surface to radio frequency gas plasma discharge with a reactive etching gas for a lengthy amount of time such as about ten minutes. If surface etching is continued beyond a time adequate to produce the highly hydrophobic behavior, then the surface morphology includes the appearance of broken fibrils.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and similar polymers and methods for forming and using such compositions. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention employs a mixture of PTFE and expandable thermoplastic microspheres. Through application of an energy source to the mixture, a coherent three dimensional expansion of PTFE can be achieved. The expanded mixture has many of the same beneficial properties of mechanically expanded PTFE and numerous properties previously unavailable with expanded PTFE products.

Abstract: Partial esters of alginic acid and salts thereof possess important bioplastic and pharmaceutical qualities and are useful in various fields including medical, surgical, cosmetics and foods.

Abstract: A polyamide monofilament suture of reduced energy and/or increased knot security is prepared by extruding a monofilament from polyamide resin, stretching the monofilament and annealing the stretched monofilament.

Abstract: Filaments or sutures are coated with a dimethylsiloxane-alkylene oxide copolymer to improve the handling characteristics of the filament or suture.

Abstract: Absorbable coating and absorbable blend of polycaprolactone and crystallization modifier especially suitable for use in the coating of surgical sutures and in the controlled release of chemical or pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: Absorbable coating and absorbable blend of polycaprolactone ant crystallization modifier especially suitable for use in the coating of surgical sutures and in the controlled release of chemical or pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: A polymer, particularly a biomedical polymer for the fabrication of medical and surgical devices and for use as a coating, is described. The polymer is derived from the reaction product of one or more lactone monomers and castor oil preferably: (a) .epsilon.-caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate or an ether lactone; (b) castor oil; and (c) glycolide, lactide or 1,4-dioxanone. The preferred polymer is derived from .epsilon.-caprolactone, castor oil, and glycolide.The polymer in preferred embodiments is ideally suited for use as a coating for a surgical suture, particularly an absorbable, braided multifilament suture and surgical needles. For this application, glycerol is advantageously added to the reactive monomer mix from which the polymer is derived.

Abstract: A sling is disclosed for retracting a body organ such as the uterus or bowel during a laparoscopic surgical operation. The sling is made of an appropriate material with suitable dimensions so that it can be inserted through a cannula customarily used for laparoscopic surgery. At each end of the sling a suture and surgical needle is provided. In use, the sling is pushed into the abdominal cavity, opened and one needle pushed through the patient's abdominal wall and clamped to anchor the sling. The sling is then positioned to support the body organ, and the second needle passed through the abdominal wall from inside the patient and clamped outside the patient to hold the body organ in the retracted position. After the operation, the sutures inside the body cavity are cut and the sling pulled through a cannula by means of suitable surgical grasping means.

Abstract: This invention relates to materials medical or veterinary use that possess considerably improved properties with regard to friction. The invention also relates to the production of such materials from existing materials that possess suitable bulk properties, but inappropriate frictional properties. This invention also relates to a hydrophilic coating material that provides improved frictional properties.

Abstract: A higher order polyamide monofilament suture exhibits improved properties such as greater resistance to creep, greater knot security and greater chemical stability in aqueous environments.

Abstract: Block copolymers have a first copolymer block wherein lactide is the predominant component and a second copolymer block wherein trimethylene carbonate is the predominant component. The copolymers are useful in forming surgical devices, including monofilament sutures.

Abstract: Textile surgical articles are disclosed which are constructed in whole or in part from high tenacity low elongation fibers such as ultra-high molecular weight extended chain polyethylene high tenacity fibers. The products may be braided, woven or knitted, such as braided tapes, hollow braids and spiroid braids. The high tenacity low elongation fibers provide structures having greatly increased strength and decreased elongation, a combination of properties which is uniquely applicable and superior for repairing body tissue. The products may be plasma treated to reduce slip.

Abstract: Heterogeneous braided multifilament of first and second set of yarns mechanically blended by braiding, in which first and second set of yarns are composed of different fiber-forming materials.Heterogeneous braids are useful for preparation of surgical sutures and ligatures.

Abstract: A block copolymer for use in the fabrication of bioabsorbable articles such as monofilament surgical sutures is prepared by copolymerizing one or more hard phase forming monomers and 1,4-dioxan-2-one, and then polymerizing one or more hard phase forming monomers with the dioxanone-containing copolymer.

Abstract: An absorbable composition for application to a surgical suture to improve the knot tie-down and/or knot security characteristics thereof is obtained from the reaction of a poly(oxypropylene) glycol and a lactide/glycolide copolymer, optionally, in the presence of an initiator and/or catalyst.

Abstract: A braided suture exhibits one or more improved properties, e.g., reduced chatter, greater flexibility and/or better hand, than that of a braided suture of known, or standard, construction and of substantially equivalent size.

Abstract: A surgical filament which has a surface coated with at least one N-long chain monoacylated basic amino acid having an aliphatic acyl group of from 6 to 22 carbon atoms or with a composition containing at least one of said N-long chain monoacylated basic amino acid, and has improved surface-slipping characteristics such as the ability to be passed through tissue and tie down property.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting decomposition and/or degradation of an implantation polymeric material in the living body, which comprises allowing dipyridamole and/or a salt or a derivative thereof as an active component to exist in the vicinity of an implantation polymeric material implanted in the living body; an inhibitor effective for inhibiting biological decomposition and/or degradation of a polymeric material implanted in the living body, which comprises dipyridamole and/or a salt or a derivative thereof as an active component; and an implantation polymeric material which contains dipyridamole and/or a salt or a derivative thereof as an active component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing vaporizable components from polymeric products effects uniform distribution of heat over such products contained within a chamber. The apparatus includes a heated chamber having support means for supporting the products within the chamber. Omnidirectional multi-point gas dispersion means located within the chamber uniformly disperse heated gas over the product. The vaporizable components are evacuated from the chamber along with the gas. The product can be rotated during treatment to ensure uniform exposure of the product to heat and gas.

Abstract: A filament is fabricated from a biologically acceptable blend of an ionomer resin such as an ionically crosslinked ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer and a nonionic thermoplastic resin, e.g., a polyolefin such as an isotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: A suture is manufactured from a syndiotactic polypropylene, advantageously by a melt extrusion (spinning) procedure. The suture exhibits greater flexibility than a comparable suture manufactured from isotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method comprises tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable synthetic polymer is exposed to a gas plasma in a chamber at a pressure substantially below atmospheric for a sufficient time to increase the hydrophobicity and/or cross-linking density of a surface layer thereof and thereby modify the rate at which the polymer will hydrolyze. An accordingly modified polymer is useful for surgical implants and wound closures.

Abstract: A block copolymer for use in the fabrication of bioabsorbable articles such as monofilament surgical sutures is prepared by copolymerizing lactide and 1,4-dioxanone, and then polymerizing glycolide with the lactide/1,4-dioxanone copolymer.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing a polypropylene monofilament suture exhibiting reduced strain energy, increased knot security and greater resistance to acquiring an in-storage set.

Abstract: A suture is provided with a substantially solid spiroid braid construction. The suture exhibits greater flexibility, better hand and less chatter and drag than tubular braided sutures of known construction.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method includes tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus includes a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature.

Abstract: Total esters of alginic acid with aliphatic and araliphatic alcohols possess important bioplastic and pharmaceutical qualities and are useful in various fields including the sanitary and surgical fields.

Abstract: A surgical suture having a coating thereon of at least one polyvinyl ester, and a method for improving the knot tiedown performance of a suture by first coating a polyvinyl ester solution onto the surface of the suture and then removing the solvent from the coated suture.

Abstract: Crystalline copolymer comprising the reaction product of: a) a predominant amount of a high molecular weight prepolymer of .epsilon.-caprolactone and glycolide, and b) the balance glycolide. A surgical device such as a surgical filament, in particular a surgical suture, prepared by injection molding or melt spinning the crystalline copolymer.

Abstract: An absorbable coating composition useful for coating sutures, said absorbable coating composition comprising a copolymer derived from (i) the copolymerization of a polyalkylene glycol, glycolide monomer and lactide monomer or (ii) the copolymerization of a polyalkylene glycol and a copolymer of lactide and glycolide and multifilament sutures coated with same.

Abstract: The strength and integrity of hydrophilic polyurethane resins prepared by reacting a diol component, an organic chain extender and an organic diisocyanate are improved by critical selection of the diol component, the amount of water in the reaction mixture and the mole rations of the reactants. The diol component is at least one of (1) a long chain poly(oxyethylene) glycol of molecular weight above 2500 and (2) a medium chain poly(oxyethylene) glycol or polyester glycol of 250-2500 molecular weight. The chain extender is a difunctional compound having a molecular weight of less than 250. The amount of water in the reaction mixture is 0.5 to 2.5 weight % and the urea content of the resins is from about 13.6 to 33.7 weight %.

Abstract: A surgical suturing thread is coated with a fatty acid metal salt. For this purpose it is dissolved in an organic solvent and the suturing thread is coated with the hot solution, whose temperature is so high that the fatty acid metal salt remains in the dissolved state. The solvent is then evaporated from the thus applied coating at elevated temperature.

Abstract: A surgical suture having a coating thereon of a block poly(ether-co-amide), and a method for improving the knot tiedown performance of a suture by first coating a block poly(ether-co-amide) solution of a block poly(ether-co-amide) onto the surface of the suture and then removing the solvent from the coated suture.