Abstract: An improved surgical needle is disclosed. The needle has a butt. The butt has a proximal and a distal end. A blind hole is in the butt. The hole originates at the proximal and terminates at the distal end of the butt. A crimp is adjacent to the butt. The improvement to the crimp comprises a first and a second side that are essentially parallel. A third side is essentially perpendicular to the first and second sides. A fourth side is curvilinear. The curvilinear fourth side can be a semicircle. A machine and a method of attaching a surgical suture to the improved needle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved surgical needle is disclosed. The needle has a butt. The butt has a proximal and a distal end. A blind hole is in the butt. The hole originates at the proximal and terminates at the distal end of the butt. A crimp is adjacent to the butt. The improvement to the crimp comprises a first and a second side that are essentially parallel. A third side is essentially perpendicular to the first and second sides. A fourth side is curvilinear. The curvilinear fourth side can be a semicircle. A machine and a method of attaching a surgical suture to the improved needle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for separating serosa from mucosa is disclosed. The machine comprises two peeling rollers, or one peeling roller or belt and a stationary member. The stationary member can comprise a blade. The separation between the two peeling rollers, or the one peeling roller or belt and stationary member is about equal to or less than the thickness of a harvested intestine ribbon. The separation has a proximal and a distal end. The machine also comprises first means for rotating the one or more peeling rollers or the peeling belt at a first speed. A pull roller is adjacent to the distal end of the separation. The machine further comprises second means for rotating the pull roller at a second speed. The second speed is less than the first speed of the first means for rotating. The source of the nonseparated serosa-mucosa layer can be a harvested intestine ribbon of a mammal. Separated serosa is useful in the manufacture of catgut sutures.

Abstract: The invention is a composite material of two or more biocompatible polymers, at least one of which is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and one of which is a bioabsorbable polymer. The nonabsorbable PTFE is used in the composite as a reinforcing binder. The reinforcing binder is a network of unsintered, interconnected micro-fibers which are formed, for example, by blending with a thermoplastic polymer vehicle, such as polymethylmethacrylate which is subsequently extracted. The bioabsorbable component is contained within the structure of the PTFE microfibrils. This composite is useful in the repair of mammalian tissue where tissue ingrowth and permenant support is required.

Abstract: A composite structure is disclosed having two or more biocompatible polymers. At least one of the polymers is nonabsorbable. The nonabsorbable polymer is extruded into a fiber. The fiber can be fabricated into a textile structure, for example a woven mesh. The nonabsorbable mesh is then encapsulated with at least one bioabsorbable polymer. The composite structure is useful for repairing anatomical defects, for example in a mammalian abdominal wall.

Abstract: A deformable surgical repair device is manufactured from a block or graft copolymer. The copolymer comprises a plurality of first linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages, and mixtures thereof, and a plurality of second linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages. The plurality of first linkages comprises at least about 50 up to about 90 mole percent of the copolymer. In an alternative claim, the deformable surgical repair device is manufactured from a blend of a first and a second absorbable polymer. The first absorbable polymer comprises a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages, and mixtures thereof. The second absorbable polymer comprises a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages.

Abstract: The invention comprises a direct dispensing package. The package comprises a back panel, and a first and a second intermediate panel. The first intermediate panel is foldably connected to the back panel. The package also comprises means for rolling the second intermediate panel onto itself. A front panel is foldably connected to the second intermediate panel. The package further comprises means for maintaining an article of manufacture on the front panel and means for containing at least a portion of the front panel adjacent to the back panel. The article of manufacture can be a sterile surgical element. The means for rolling can be a plurality of parallel slats. The means for containing can be an envelope.

Abstract: This invention relates to a direct dispensing and self-contained surgical suture package. The package can comprise a first part having a strippable envelope, and a second part self-contained therein.

Abstract: A suture coating comprising a copolymer having about 60 to 80 weight percent of .beta.-hydroxybutyrate linkages is disclosed. The remaining linkages can be at least .beta.-hydroxyvalerate. In one embodiment, the coating is the copolymer combined with a stearoyl lactylate having the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is at least two, and R is an alkaine-earth metal.

Abstract: The invention involves the use of absorbable or absorbable/nonabsorbable components to fabricate textile vascular grafts of all sizes and specifically for repair of the peripheral vascular system and for coronary bypass use. The bioabsorbable component of the graft fosters increased tissue ingrowth into the graft as compared to conventional 100% nonabsorbable grafts. Increased tissue ingrowth leads to greater patency through formation of a vascularized neointima and less tendency to be aneurysmal through formation of a suitable adventitia. The absorbable component can be a variety of materials, including PGA, MAXON.TM., etc., whereas the nonabsorbable component (to be used as the backbone) can be new materials, e.g. NOVAFIL.RTM., or more conventional polymers, including polyester, polyamide or polypropylene.

Abstract: The invention involves a method to texturize absorbable or absorbable/nonabsorbable components that are to be used to fabricate textile grafts of all sizes, and specifically for repair of the peripheral vascular system and for coronary bypass use. The bioabsorbable component of the graft fosters increased tissue ingrowth into the graft as compared to conventional 100% nonabsorbable grafts. Increased tissue ingrowth leads to greater patency through formation of a vascularized neointima and less tendency to be aneurysmal through formation of a suitable adventitia. The absorbable component can be a variety of materials, including PGA, the polymer used to manufacture the MAXON.TM. suture, etc., whereas the nonabsorbable component (to be used as the backbone) can be new materials, e.g. the polymer used to manufacture the NOVAFIL.RTM. suture, or more conventional polymers, including polyester, polyamide or polypropylene.

Abstract: A metallic product having a dark, nonreflective and nonflaking surface is disclosed. A method of manufacturing the dark, nonreflective and nonflaking surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tubular prosthetic article having at least four chemically distinct fibers is disclosed. A first and second fiber are made of absorbable polymers and a third and fourth fiber are made from nonabsorbable polymers. The absorbable polymers are made from the monomeric units of esters such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, polydioxanone and blends of the same. The nonabsorbable polymers may be made from esters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polybutester, or blends of the same. These four chemically distinct fibers may be woven or knitted into a tubular form.

Abstract: The invention involves the use of absorbable or absorbable/nonabsorbable components to fabricate textile vascular grafts of all sizes and specifically for repair of the peripheral vascular system and for coronary bypass use. The bioabsorbable component of the graft fosters increased tissue ingrowth into the graft as compared to conventional 100% nonabsorbable grafts. Increased tissue ingrowth leads to greater patency through formation of a vascularized neointima and less tendency to be aneurysmal through formation of a suitable adventitia. The absorbable component can be a variety of materials, including PGA, MAXOM.TM., etc., whereas the nonabsorbable component (to be used as the backbone) can be new materials, e.g. NOVAFIL.RTM., or more conventional polymers, including polyester, polyamide or polypropylene. The vascular grafts further comprise an external support helically wrapped therearound and permanently attached to the outside surface.

Abstract: A mesh or fabric, having zero to variable stretch, is made from absorbable or partially absorbable fibers. The mesh or fabric can be either knitted or woven. The fabric is useful in surgical repair.

Abstract: The invention is a multifilament thermoplastic surgical suture having a plurality of meltfused filaments where the filaments are only melt fused for a controlled length from at least one end of the suture. This melt fused end invention eliminates the end dipping operation for multifilament sutures. Preferably, the melt fused or bonded length of suture has at least eighty percent of the tensile strength of an unfused portion, as a substitute for the end-dipped suture.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacturing a molded prosthetic device from a synthetic bioabsorbable polymer is disclosed. The process includes placing a solid amount of the polymer in a molding machine; melting the polymer by subjecting it to a temperature of from about 240.degree. to 255.degree. C. for about 2 to 5 minutes; transporting the polymer melt to an orifice; injecting the polymer melt from the orifice into a closed mold cavity at a pressure of from about 8000 to 9000 lbs per square inch (562 to 633 kg per sq. cm.); holding the polymer in the mold cavity for less than about one minute at a temperature of about 70.degree. to 90.degree. C.; removing a molded prosthetic device from the mold cavity; and posttreating the molded prosthetic device. The posttreating can be, e.g., annealing and then/or sterilizing.

Abstract: An apparatus for melt fusing a length of multifilament thermoplastic surgical suture includes a radiant heater having a two part longitudinally divided tunnel. A length of multifilament material is advanced into the tunnel and is held in a stationary position under tension while being fused.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable coating for a surgical article comprises a copolymer manufactured from the monomer caprolactone and at least one other copolymerizable monomer. The surgical article can be a bioabsorbable suture or ligature.