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: Medical devices or components for medical devices formed from bioabsorbable elastomers comprising a random copolymer are disclosed. The random copolymer is a copolymer of from about 30 to about 70 weight percent of: a) .epsilon.-caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, an ether lactone, or a mixture of these, and b) the balance being substantially glycolide, para-dioxanone, or a mixture of these. The random copolymers surprisingly exhibit elastomeric properties, and the copolymers are bioabsorbable. The combination of physical and biological properties of these elastomeric copolymers are particularly well-suited for numerous medical and surgical applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel sustained release matrix and oral dosage form comprising a homogeneous matrix formed from a wet granulation containing an effective amount of a medicament and a polymer blend of hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose. The present invention also discloses a novel process for making a sustained release oral dosage form comprising wet granulating a medicament with a polymer blend of hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose to form a homogeneous matrix, wherein the polymer blend is provided in an amount effective to control the release of said medicament, then forming the homogenous matrix into a solid oral dosage form.

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: A cosmetic or prosthetic surgical implant comprising an envelope filled with a liquid bioabsorbable polymer and a process for implanting a cosmetic or prosthetic surgical implant involving the filling of an envelope with a liquid bioabsorbable polymer suitable liquid bioabsorbable polymer include lactone copolymers composed of at least two monomers selected from the group consisting of glycolide, L-lactide, D,L-lactide, 1,4-dioxanone, .epsilon.-caprolactone, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one and trimethylene carbonate and poly(orthoesters) of the formula: ##STR1## where R is a linear or branched alkylene group containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms and R' is a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and n is selected to provide a liquid poly(orthester) at body temperature.

Abstract: A composition of an absorbable polymer and a filler to increase the stiffness of the polymer is disclosed. The filler is a poly[succinimide], which is a bioabsorbable polymer that degrades into a nontoxic, simple amino acid. The composition can be melt processed to prepare medical and surgical devices, particularly those devices which are designed to penetrate bodily tissue or to withstand heavy loads. Typical surgical devices which can be made from the composition include surgical staples and ligating clips.

Abstract: A purified thiol activated protease obtained from bromelain stem extract is provided. The protease has a molecular weight of about 17,000 daltons to about 21,000 daltons and an isoelectric point of about pI 4.5 to about pI 5.0. Methods for obtaining this enzyme and methods for use of this enzyme for debridement of eschar tissue are disclosed.

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: 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 piezoelectric medical device and a process for preparing the same by electrostatically spinning a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and a second fluorinated hydrocarbon, and collecting the spun fibers on a suitable receiver is disclosed.

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: A nonwoven fabric and a process for making a nonwoven fabric consisting essentially of:(a) forming a carded web of staple fibers selected from the group consisting of polypropylene fibers, cellulose acetate fibers, nylon fibers, acrylic fibers, and combinations of two or more thereof, having a denier in the range of from about 11/2 denier to about 10 denier;(b) crosslapping said carded web to for a suitable batt;(c) needling said batt with a needle punch density of from about 500 to about 2000 needle punches/square inch to form a fabric having a first smooth fabric surface and a second fabric surface opposite to said first surface;(d) fusing said second surface in a manner which provides a light fusion of the staple fibers making up said second surface;thereby providing a nonwoven fabric weighing in the range of from about 6 ounces/square yard to about 10 ounces/square yard with a thickness of from about 65 millimeters to about 90 millimeters.

Abstract: A composition is provided which, when applied to a metal surface, forms a corrosion-inhibiting film thereon. The composition comprises an epoxy resin, an effective amount of a curing agent for the epoxy resin, an alcohol, and a hydrocarbon diluent. The composition is applied by contacting the metal surface with the composition as one solution or as a hydrocarbon solution of the epoxy resin and a solution comprising the alcohol and the curing agent. The composition is particularly useful in the treatment of down-well metal surfaces in oil and gas wells to inhibit the corrosion of the metal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the enhancement of the flavor of proteins derived from dried microorganisms comprisinga) contacting a fermentation broth containing a suitable viable microorganism culture with a suitable sugar under suitable anerobic conditions for the cultivation of said microorganism from about 20 minutes to about 10 hours;b) cultivating the fermentation broth under suitable conditions to facilitate the conversion of the suitable sugar contacted therewith to an alcohol, thereby forming a fermentation mixture; followed byc) aerobically cultivating said fermentation mixture;d) contacting said fermentation mixture with a suitable quantity of one or more suitable short chain alcohols to form a fermentation admixture;e) cultivating said fermentation admixture under suitable conditions to facilitate the conversion of said one or more short chain alcohols to the corresponding carboxylic acids thereby forming a fermentation effluent; andf) drying said fermentation effluent to recover an

Abstract: A composition is provided which, when applied to a metal surface, forms a corrosion-inhibiting film thereon. The composition comprises an epoxy resin, an effective amount of a curing agent for the epoxy resin, an alcohol, and a hydrocarbon diluent. The composition is applied by contacting the metal surface with the composition as one solution or as a hydrocarbon solution of the epoxy resin and a solution comprising the alcohol and the curing agent. The composition is particularly useful in the treatment of down-well metal surfaces in oil and gas wells to inhibit the corrosion of the metal.

Abstract: A novel composition and process are disclosed for forming crosslinked gels at elevated temperatures utilize a novel crosslinking agent comprising a furan derivative and a water dispersible aldehyde or aldehyde generating compound.

Abstract: A novel DNA sequence derived from Pichia pastoris containing a regulatory region from a second alcohol oxidase gene, and novel DNA constructs comprising said regulatory region operably linked to a heterologous DNA structural gene.

Abstract: In thermal stabilization of poly(.alpha.-olefin) fibers, such as a melt spun polypropylene, in which the poly(.alpha.-olefin) contains a hindered phenol, an organic phosphite, a hindered amine, and a metal salt of a fatty acid, the further inclusion of an alkali metal phosphate, such as sodium phosphate, results in improved thermal stability of the finished fiber.

Abstract: Novel packaging in a process for producing same is disclosed whereby oxygen from the interior of an enclosed container is scavenged by introducing into the container the enzyme, alcohol oxidase and its substrate, alcohol.

Abstract: A method for purifying a cis-olefin formed by alkylating a sulfonate ester comprising mixing the reaction formed by alkylating a sulfonate ester with an acid solution, separating said acid solution, and mixing the resultant purification product with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alcohol and optionally a base followed by separation and distillation, or passing said reaction mixture through a silica gel and collecting the cis-olefin fraction.