Abstract: An absorbable crystalline, monocentric polyaxial copolymer comprising a central carbon or nitrogen atom and at least three axes, each of which includes an amorphous flexible component adjacent and originating from the central atom and a rigid, crystallizable component extending outwardly from the amorphous, flexible component is disclosed along with the use of such copolymer in medical devices which may contain a bioactive agent. The present invention also relates to a suture, stents, stent mantles and sealing devices made from the polyaxial copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to surface functionalized fabrics, particularly those based on non-woven polypropylene, wherein the functional groups are capable of binding antimicrobial agents through ionic conjugation to control their release and prolong their antimicrobial activity. The invention also deals with Nylon 6 fabric that is complexed with iodine to control its release and to achieve prolonged antimicrobial activities. Similarly, polypropylene and cellulosic fabrics grafted with N-vinylpyrrolidone are disclosed. The N-vinylpyrrolidone can also complex with iodine to control its release and provide antimicrobial activity over desired periods of time.

Abstract: A system by which a portable computer on a cart translates warehouse locations to light addresses of locations on storage bays in a storage facility and communicates instructions by means of a bi-directional, dual transmitter/receiver element on the cart to a pick-controller unit positioned on each bay. The pick-controller unit on the bay is connected with intelligent light assemblies at each location on the bay that, in response to instructions from the portable computer, illuminate indicating the need for, and quantity of a SKU to be retrieved from the illuminated location. In addition, the portable computer communicates instructions using the bi-directional, dual transmitter/receiver element to the put-controller unit positioned on the cart that in turn communicates these instructions to intelligent light assemblies adjacent to specific receptacles located on the cart.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to bioabsorbable adhesive/hemostatic formulations of a 2-alkoxyalkylcyanoacrylate and liquid or solid polymeric modifiers and adjuvant. The present adhesive formulations are useful as tissue adhesive/sealants, hemostatic agents, and as a means for patching or anastomic coupling of damaged organs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesive or sealant compositions comprising cyanoacrylate-capped heterochain polymers, such as those comprising one or more oxyalkylene, alkylene carbonate, and ester-units derived from cyclic lactones. Such compositions can be radiochemically sterilized and used in repairing internal organs or tissue blocking body conduits.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to surface functionalized fabrics, particularly those based on non-woven polypropylene, wherein the functional groups are capable of binding antimicrobial agents through ionic conjugation to control their release and prolong their antimicrobial activity. The invention also deals with Nylon 6 fabric that is complexed with iodine to control its release and to achieve prolonged antimicrobial activities. Similarly, polypropylene and cellulosic fabrics grafted with N-vinylpyrrolidone are disclosed. The N-vinylpyrrolidone can also complex with iodine to control its release and provide antimicrobial activity over desired periods of time.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing low density ceramics is described wherein the process incorporates paper residuals which are a by-product of the paper recycling process. The method for making a low density-ceramic comprises the steps of: a) providing a paper residual comprising from about 0.5 to about 99 percent, by weight, of at least one filler, from about 0 to about 20 percent, by weight, of a dye, from about 0 to about 10 percent, by weight, of an ink, from about 0.5 to about 99.5 percent, by weight, of paper fiber, and from about 0 to about 30 percent, by weight, of other components, based on a dry weight of the residual; b) admixing a ceramic material with the paper residual, the ceramic material comprising up to about 90%, by weight, of the admixture, based on a dry weight of the admixture; c) forming the admixture into a desired shape; and d) firing the admixture to a temperature ranging from about 1850° F. to about 2900° F.

Abstract: A variety of phosphonylated heterochain polymers are disclosed, including, most preferably, phosphonylated polymethyl methacrylate. For each polymeric composition the phosphorous atom of a phosphorous-containing functional group is covalently bonded to a carbon atom of the polymeric chain. The phosphorous atoms are present in an amount of at least about 0.1 percent by weight in each polymeric composition.

Abstract: This invention deals with an absorbable, gel-forming composition for multifaceted prevention of post-operative surgical adhesion through a plurality of physico-pharmacological modes, comprising a solution of one or more bioactive compounds in a liquid copolymeric vehicle made by end-grafting one or more cyclic monomer onto a polyalkylene glycol. More specifically, the bioactive drugs can display one or more pharmacological activity associated with antiangiogenic, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline, absorbable block/segmented copolymers which are the reaction product of a linear prepolymer which is a polytrimethylene dicarboxylate of succinic, glutaric, or adipic acid and either glycolide, 1-lactide, or mixtures thereof. Preferably the prepolymer is preliminarily end-grafted with a further monomer such as trimethylene carbonate or &egr;-caprolactone. The crystalline copolymers of this invention are tailored for fabrication into several forms of absorbable biomedical devices including monofilament sutures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the direct, one-step synthesis of crystalline segmented glycolide copolymers having less than 80 percent glycolide-based sequences in the copolyester chain. The copolyester chain can also be formed using a polyether glycol as the initiator for the ring-opening copolymerization of glycolide and other cyclic monomers to form highly hydrophilic materials.

Abstract: An absorbable crystalline, monocentric polyaxial copolymer comprising a central carbon or nitrogen atom and at least three axes, each of which includes an amorphous flexible component adjacent and originating from the central atom and a rigid, crystallizable component extending outwardly from the amorphous, flexible component is disclosed along with the use of such copolymer in medical devices which may contain a bioactive agent.

Abstract: A variety of phosphonylated heterochain polymers are disclosed, including, most preferably, phosphonylated polymethyl methacrylate. For each polymeric composition the phosphorous atom of a phosphorous-containing functional group is covalently bonded to a carbon atom of the polymeric chain. The phosphorous atoms are present in an amount of at least about 0.1 percent by weight in each polymeric composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline copolymers of l-lactide and a minor portion of a cyclic monomer, preferably &egr;-caprolactone or trimethylene carbonate or both. The present copolymers have a melting temperature of at least 150° C. and a crystallinity of at least 25%. Preferred are high molecular weight copolymers having an inherent viscosity of at least 1.4 dl/g. A variety of surgical constructs may be formed from the present copolymers. Surgical sutures made of mono- or multifilament yarns of the present copolymers will bioabsorb in less than three years and will maintain at least 50% of their initial strength three weeks post-operatively.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to bioabsorbable adhesive/hemostatic formulations of a 2-alkoxyalkylcyanoacrylate and liquid or solid polymeric modifiers and adjuvant. The present adhesive formulations are useful as tissue adhesive/sealants, hemostatic agents, and as a means for patching or anastomic coupling of damaged organs.

Abstract: A method for modifying a protein or polypeptide is disclosed which includes the steps of dispersing a protein or polypeptide in an essentially non-aqueous medium and peracylating the protein or polypeptide with a cyclic anhydride having a carbon chain substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl and alkenyl groups. Most preferably, the cyclic anhydride is succinic anhydride, although glutaric anhydride may also be employed. Preferably, the step of peracylating the protein or polypeptide is performed in the presence of an acid catalyst, most preferably &rgr;-toluene sulfonic acid. The resultant modified protein or polypeptide may be employed in numerous applications including drug delivery, absorbable sutures, and thermoplastic films and molded articles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline, absorbable block/segmented copolymers which are the reaction product of a linear prepolymer which is a polyalkylene dicarboxylate of succinic, glutaric, sebacic or adipic acid and either glycolide, 1-lactide, or mixtures thereof. Preferably the prepolymer is preliminarily end-grafted with one or more monomers such as trimethylene carbonate and &egr;-caprolactone. The crystalline copolymers of this invention are tailored for fabrication into several forms of absorbable biomedical devices including monofilament sutures.

Abstract: A method for modifying a protein or polypeptide is disclosed which includes the steps of dispersing a protein or polypeptide in an essentially non-aqueous medium and peracylating the protein or polypeptide with a cyclic anhydride having a carbon chain substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl and alkenyl groups. Most preferably, the cyclic anhydride is succinic anhydride, although glutaric anhydride may also be employed. Preferably, the step of peracylating the protein or polypeptide is performed in the presence of an acid catalyst, most preferably .rho.-toluene sulfonic acid. The resultant modified protein or polypeptide may be employed in numerous applications including drug delivery, absorbable sutures, and thermoplastic films and molded articles.

Abstract: Organic inherently conductive polymers, such as those based on polyaniline, polypyrrole and polythiophene, are sequentially formed in-situ onto polymeric surfaces that are chemically functionalized to molecularly bond the conductive polymers to the substrates. The polymeric substrate is preferably a preshaped or preformed thermoplastic film, fabric, or tube, although other forms of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers can be used as the substrates for functionalization using, most preferably, phosphonylation-based processes followed by exposure to an oxidatively polymerizable compound capable of forming an electrically conductive polymer. It has been found that the degree of electrical conductivity may be modulated by bonding further electrically conductive layers to the article. That is, each underlying conductive layer is functionalized prior to bonding of a subsequent conductive layer thereto until the degree of conductivity is achieved.