Abstract: Suture-specific coatings having a number average molecular weight not exceeding 20 kDa, a melting temperature above 37° C., and heat of fusion exceeding 20 J/g, are formed of copolyesters of polycaprolactone or of ?-caprolactone and at least one cyclic monomer forming a segmented polyester chain initiated by a polyaxial crystalline organic compound or an amorphous polyaxial polymeric initiator and include from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent of at least one molecularly dispersed bioactive agent.

Abstract: This invention describes a partially absorbable, fiber-reinforced composite in the form of a ring, or a suture-like thread, with modified terminals for use as a controlled delivery system of at least one bioactive agent, wherein said composite comprising an absorbable fiber construct capable of providing time-dependent mechanical properties of a biostable elastomeric matrix containing an absorbable microparticulate ion-exchanger to modulate the release of the bioactive agent(s) for a desired period(s) of time at a specific biological site; this can be a vaginal canal, peritoneal cavity, scrotum, prostate gland, an ear loop or subcutaneous tissue. Such drug delivery systems can be used for the local administration of at least one bioactive agent, including those used as contraceptive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and/or antiviral agents as well as for cancer treatment.

Abstract: Suture-specific coatings having a number average molecular weight not exceeding 20 kDa, a melting temperature above 37° C., and heat of fusion exceeding 20 J/g, are formed of copolyesters of polycaprolactone or of ?-caprolactone and at least one cyclic monomer forming a segmented polyester chain initiated by a polyaxial crystalline organic compound or an amorphous polyaxial polymeric initiator and include from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent of at least one molecularly dispersed bioactive agent.

Abstract: Absorbable composite medical devices such as surgical meshes and braided sutures, which display two or more absorption/biodegradation and breaking strength retention profiles and exhibit unique properties in different clinical settings, are made using combinations of at least two types of yarns having distinctly different physicochemical and biological properties and incorporate in the subject construct special designs to provide a range of unique properties as clinically useful implants.

Abstract: Controlled release systems release at least one pluribioactive antifungal drug exhibiting at least one additional bioactivity from the group consisting of spermiostatic, antineoplastic, antibacterial, antirestenotic and antiviral activities. The drug release system is designed for use as a spermiostatic contraceptive, intravaginal ringed-mesh which may also exhibit antiviral activity, an in situ-forming implant for treating different forms of cancer and topical film for treating or preventing bacterial and fungal infections.

Abstract: Bioactive, hydroforming luminal liner compositions are formed of high molecular weight crystalline, absorbable copolyesters dissolved in a liquid derivative of a polyether glycol that undergoes transformation into a tissue-adhering, resilient interior cover or liner for the controlled release of its bioactive payload at clinically compromised conduits in humans as in the case of bacteria- and yeast-infected vaginal canals, esophagi, and arteries following angioplasty.

Abstract: Hydroswellable, absorbable and non-absorbable, aliphatic, segmented polyurethanes and polyurethane-urea capable of swelling in the biological environment with associated increase in volume of at least 3 percent have more than one type of segments, including those derived from polyethylene glycol and the molecular chains are structurally tailored to allow the use of corresponding formulations and medical devices as carriers for bioactive agents, rheological modifiers of cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesives, as protective devices for repairing defective or diseased components of articulating joints and their cartilage, and scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

Abstract: Biostable, multipurpose, microbicidal intravaginal devices in the form of rings, ringed-meshes, sponges, or diaphragms for use by women and condoms for use by male partners are provided, wherein each of the devices contains a drug effective in treating a particular vaginal infection, while further exhibiting at least one additional function selected from the group dealing with non-hormonal contraception, management of sexually transmitted diseases, viral infections, and retroviral infections as well as the treatment of cervical cancer.

Abstract: This invention describes a partially absorbable, fiber-reinforced composite in the form of a ring, or a suture-like thread, with modified terminals for use as a controlled delivery system of at least one bioactive agent, wherein said composite comprising an absorbable fiber construct capable of providing time-dependent mechanical properties of a biostable elastomeric matrix containing an absorbable microparticulate ion-exchanger to modulate the release of the bioactive agent(s) for a desired period(s) of time at a specific biological site; this can be a vaginal canal, peritoneal cavity, scrotum, prostate gland, an ear loop or subcutaneous tissue. Such drug delivery systems can be used for the local administration of at least one bioactive agent, including those used as contraceptive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and/or antiviral agents as well as for cancer treatment.

Abstract: Thermally stable absorbable fiber populations, i.e. fiber populations that do not undergo thermally induced crystallization, can be intermixed with thermally unstable fibers to yield a stabilizing effect without altering morphological properties of a fiber system. Via this, one may minimize thermally induced shrinkage and maintain physical properties of electrospun materials in the as-formed state.

Abstract: This invention describes a partially absorbable, fiber-reinforced composite in the form of a ring, or a suture-like thread, with modified terminals for use as a controlled delivery system of at least one bioactive agent, wherein said composite comprising an absorbable fiber construct capable of providing time-dependent mechanical properties of a biostable elastomeric matrix containing an absorbable microparticulate ion-exchanger to modulate the release of the bioactive agent(s) for a desired period(s) of time at a specific biological site; this can be a vaginal canal, peritoneal cavity, scrotum, prostate gland, an ear loop or subcutaneous tissue. Such drug delivery systems can be used for the local administration of at least one bioactive agent, including those used as contraceptive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and/or antiviral agents as well as for cancer treatment.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite ring for the controlled release of at least one bioactive agent includes a biocompatible matrix reinforced with absorbable/biodegradable fibers capable of providing the mechanical properties needed for inserting and maintaining the ring in a body cavity for a desired period of time. Such ring system as can be used for the intravaginal, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous delivery of at least one bioactive agent, including those used as contraceptives, antimicrobial agents, and/or antiviral agents, as well as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A radiation and radiochemically sterilized, multi-component, fiber-reinforced composite, absorbable/disintegratable urinogenital stent, such as an endoureteral stent, with radiomodulated residence time in the biological site of 1 to 10 weeks depending on the high energy radiation dose used for sterilization.

Abstract: Bioactive liquid formulations are formed of combinations of absorbable, segmented aliphatic polyurethane compositions and liquid polyether for use as vehicles for the controlled release of at least one active agent for the conventional and unconventional treatment of different forms of cancer and the management of at least one type of bacterial, fungal, and viral infection.

Abstract: Bioactive, hydroforming luminal liner compositions are formed of high molecular weight crystalline, absorbable copolyesters dissolved in a liquid derivative of a polyether glycol that undergoes transformation into a tissue-adhering, resilient interior cover or liner for the controlled release of its bioactive payload at clinically compromised conduits in humans as in the case of bacteria- and yeast-infected vaginal canals, esophagi, and arteries following angioplasty.

Abstract: An in situ film-forming methyl acetate-based solution of at least one absorbable, segmented block copolymer with amorphous and semi-crystalline segments contains at least one bioactive agent which exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anesthetic, hemostatic, and/or antineoplastic activity. The absorbable polymers can be a polyaxial copolyester, polyether-ester and polyether-ester urethane. The solution can be applied (e.g., sprayed or swabbed) onto animal and human skin or accessible body cavities to prevent or treat one or more disorders preventable or treatable by the bioactive agent therein.

Abstract: A family of selectively absorbable/biodegradable, fibrous composite constructs includes different combinations of biostable and absorbable/biodegradable yarns assembled as initially interdependent, load-bearing components, transitioning to exhibit independent functional properties during in vivo end-use. The family of constructs consists of two groups, one group is made of fiber-reinforced composites of high compliance, absorbable matrices of segmented polyaxial copolyesters reinforced with multifilament yarn constructs, which are combinations of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers and at least one absorbable/biodegradable fiber selected from silk fibers and multifilament yarns made from linear segmented, l-lactide copolyesters and poly (3-hydroxyalkanoates, are useful in orthopedic, maxillofacial, urological, vascular, hernial repair and tissue engineering applications.

Abstract: Hydroswellable, absorbable and non-absorbable, aliphatic, segmented polyurethanes and polyurethane-urea capable of swelling in the biological environment with associated increase in volume of at least 3 percent have more than one type of segments, including those derived from polyethylene glycol and the molecular chains are structurally tailored to allow the use of corresponding formulations and medical devices as carriers for bioactive agents, rheological modifiers of cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesives, as protective devices for repairing defective or diseased components of articulating joints and their cartilage, and scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

Abstract: Biostable, multipurpose, microbicidal intravaginal devices in the form of rings, ringed-meshes, sponges, or diaphragms for use by women and condoms for use by male partners are provided, wherein each of the devices contains a drug effective in treating a particular vaginal infection, while further exhibiting at least one additional function selected from the group dealing with non-hormonal contraception, management of sexually transmitted diseases, viral infections, and retroviral infections as well as the treatment of cervical cancer.

Abstract: A partially microcellular, selectively hydrophilic composite as a self-standing construct or a component of a device for ocular delivery of at least one bioactive agent, the composite comprising a highly hydrophilic microcellular foam adjoined with a flexible hydrophobic barrier polymeric film.