Abstract: Implants with fillable reservoirs have been developed that are suitable for rhinoplasty, breast reconstruction, ear reconstruction, and replacement, reconstruction or repair of other soft tissues. The implants can be filled with graft material prior to implantation. The implants are preferably made from resorbable polymers, can be tailored to provide different geometries, mechanical properties and resorption rates in order to provide more consistent surgical outcomes. The implants preferably have an interconnected network of unit cells with microporous outer layers and optionally some or all of the unit cells having at least one macropore in their outer layers. The implants can be loaded by injection with microfat, collagen, DCF, cells, bioactive agents, and other augmentation materials, prior to implantation.

Abstract: Absorbable monofilament fibers and self-retaining sutures with high tensile strengths have been developed. The straight pull tensile strengths of the absorbable self-retaining sutures closely approximate, equal or exceed the average minimum knot-pull tensile standards set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). These higher strength absorbable self-retaining sutures can therefore be used either without needing to oversize the suture for a given procedure, or by oversizing the self-retaining suture by no more than 0.1 mm in diameter. In one embodiment, the absorbable self-retaining sutures are made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or copolymers thereof.

Abstract: Compositions of P4HB with high purity have been developed. The compositions are prepared by washing P4HB biomass prior to solvent extraction, and precipitating P4HB from solution. The same solvent is preferably used to wash the P4HB biomass, and as a non-solvent to precipitate the polymer from a P4HB solvent solution. The highly pure P4HB compositions are suitable for preparing implants. The implants may be used for the repair of soft and hard tissues.

Abstract: Full contour absorbable implants for breast surgery redistribute breast volume between the breast's upper and lower poles in exact and desirable ratios. The implants preferably redistribute breast volume so that the upper pole breast volume is 20-40% of the total volume, and the lower pole breast volume is 60-80% of the total volume. The implants are also designed to provide specific curvatures to the poles of the breast, and to angulate the nipple areolar complex slightly skyward so that the patient's nipple is positioned at an angle above the nipple meridian reference line. The implants are designed to be transitory, with sufficient strength retention to allow transition from support of the breast by the implant to support by regenerated host tissue growing in and around the implants, without any significant loss of support during or subsequent to remodeling. The implants may optionally be used with permanent breast implants.

Abstract: Methods to fabricate objects by 3D printing of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof have been developed. In one method, these objects are produced by continuous fused filament fabrication using an apparatus and conditions that overcome the problems of poor feeding of the filament resulting from the low softening temperature of the filament and heat creep along the fed filament. Methods using an apparatus including a heat sink, a melt tube, a heating block and nozzle, and a transition zone between the heat sink and heating block, with the melt tube extending through the heat sink, transition zone, and heat block to the nozzle are disclosed. 3D objects are also printed by fused pellet deposition (FPD), melt extrusion deposition (MED), selective laser melting (SLM), printing of slurries and solutions using a coagulation bath, and printing using a binding solution and polymer granules.

Abstract: Absorbable implants can be used to create volume and shape in soft tissues with regenerated tissue. The implants comprise lattices formed from multiple unit cells. Unit cells can be coils or springs, skeletal polyhedrons, foams, or structures derived from mesh and fiber. The implants may be coated or filled with cells and tissues, and preferably with autologous fat graft. The implants are particularly suitable for use in plastic surgery procedures, for example, to regenerate or augment breast tissue following mastectomy or in mastopexy procedures, and can provide an alternative to the use of permanent breast implants in these procedures.

Abstract: Resorbable multifilament yarns and monofilament fibers including poly-4-hydroxybutyrate and copolymers thereof with high tenacity or high tensile strength have been developed. The yarns and fibers are produced by cold drawirg the multifilament, yarns and monofilament fibers before hot drawing the yarns and fibers under tension at temperatures above the melt temperature of the polymer or copolymer. These yarns and fibers have prolonged strength retention in vivo making them suitable for soft tissue repairs where high strength and strength retention is required. The multifilament yarns have tenacities higher than 8.1 grams per denier, and in vivo, retain at least 65% of their initial strength at 2 weeks. The monofilament fibers retain at least 50% of their initial strength at 4 weeks in vivo. The monofilament fibers have tensile strengths higher than 500 MPa. These yarns and fibers may be used to make various medical devices for various applications.

Abstract: Resorbable implants comprising poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have been developed. The implants are preferably sterilized, and contain less than 20 endotoxin units per device as determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and are particularly suitable for use in procedures where prolonged strength retention is necessary, and can include one or more bioactive agents. The implants may be made from fibers and meshes of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, or by 3d printing, and the fibers may be oriented. Coverings and receptacles made from forms of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have also been developed for use with cardiac rhythm management devices and other implantable devices. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators.

Abstract: Described herein are breast implant fixation devices for use in breast reconstruction and breast augmentation. Novel wraps are designed to avert lateral displacement and bottoming out of breast implants, reduce capsular contraction and implant extrusion, eliminate skin indentations and ripples caused by breast implants, and reduce or eliminate palpability. The wraps are adapted to securely fold around the breast implants, limiting relative movement between the wrap and breast implant and reducing wrinkles. Tissue in-growth into the wraps limits movement of the wrap-breast implant assembly and thereby limits movement of the breast implant.

Abstract: Implants with fillable reservoirs have been developed that are suitable for rhinoplasty, breast reconstruction, ear reconstruction, and replacement, reconstruction or repair of other soft tissues. The implants can be filled with graft material prior to implantation. The implants are preferably made from resorbable polymers, can be tailored to provide different geometries, mechanical properties and resorption rates in order to provide more consistent surgical outcomes. The implants preferably have an interconnected network of unit cells with microporous outer layers and optionally some or all of the unit cells having at least one macropore in their outer layers. The implants can be loaded by injection with microfat, collagen, DCF, cells, bioactive agents, and other augmentation materials, prior to implantation.

Abstract: Resorbable implants comprising poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have been developed. The implants implants are preferably sterilized, and contain less than 20 endotoxin units per device as determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and are particularly suitable for use in procedures where prolonged strength retention is necessary, and can include one or more bioactive agents. The implants may be made from fibers and meshes of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, or by 3d printing, and the fibers may be oriented. Coverings and receptacles made from forms of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have also been developed for use with cardiac rhythm management devices and other implantable devices. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators.

Abstract: A mastopexy implant for maintaining the breast in an elevated and aesthetically pleasing position includes a lower pole support comprising end portions which may be affixed to the chest wall or to a previously installed upper suspension strut. The implant is loaded in an insertion device. The insertion device is inserted through a small incision and into a subcutaneous pocket created in an inferior half of the breast. The lower pole support may have various constructs and in one embodiment includes a unitary conformable mesh having a plurality of arm or band members which are attached across the breast parenchyma and to the chest wall.

Abstract: Resorbable implants comprising poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have been developed. The implants implants are preferably sterilized, and contain less than 20 endotoxin units per device as determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and are particularly suitable for use in procedures where prolonged strength retention is necessary, and can include one or more bioactive agents. The implants may be made from fibers and meshes of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, or by 3d printing, and the fibers may be oriented. Coverings and receptacles made from forms of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have also been developed for use with cardiac rhythm management devices and other implantable devices. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators.

Abstract: Breast fixation devices for use in breast reconstruction and breast augmentation limit the rotation or movement of breast implants after implantation that results in an unnatural appearance of the breast. The breast fixation devices can include a thin-walled enclosure in the shape of a pouch. A breast implant is secured inside the pouch to limit movement by applying compression to the breast implants, or using a mating or interlocking mechanism between the pouch and breast implant. The pouches containing the breast implants are implanted in the breast. Tissue in-growth into the pouch limits movement of the pouch-breast implant assembly and thereby limits rotation, migration, and displacement of the breast implant. The pouches preferably comprise poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or copolymer thereof.

Abstract: Resorbable implants, coverings and receptacles comprising poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have been developed. The implants are preferably sterilized, and contain less than 20 endotoxin units per device as determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and are particularly suitable for use in procedures where prolonged strength retention is necessary, and can include one or more bioactive agents. The implants may be made from fibers and meshes of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, or by 3d printing molding, pultrusion or other melt or solvent processing method. The implants, or the fibers preset therein, may be oriented. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators. The coverings, receptacles and implants described herein, may be made from meshes, webs, lattices, non-wovens, films, fibers, foams, molded, pultruded, machined and 3D printed forms.

Abstract: Full contour absorbable implants for breast surgery redistribute breast volume between the breast's upper and lower poles in exact and desirable ratios. The implants preferably redistribute breast volume so that the upper pole breast volume is 20-40% of the total volume, and the lower pole breast volume is 60-80% of the total volume. The implants are also designed to provide specific curvatures to the poles of the breast, and to angulate the nipple areolar complex slightly skyward so that the patient's nipple is positioned at an angle above the nipple meridian reference line. The implants are designed to be transitory, with sufficient strength retention to allow transition from support of the breast by the implant to support by regenerated host tissue growing in and around the implants, without any significant loss of support during or subsequent to remodeling. The implants may optionally be used with permanent breast implants.

Abstract: Resorbable multifilament yarns and monofilament fibers including poly-4-hydroxybutyrate and copolymers thereof with high tenacity or high tensile strength have been developed. The yarns and fibers are produced by cold drawing the multifilament yarns and monofilament fibers before hot drawing the yarns and fibers under tension at temperatures above the melt temperature of the polymer or copolymer. These yarns and fibers have prolonged strength retention in vivo making them suitable for soft tissue repairs where high strength and strength retention is required. The multifilament yarns have tenacities higher than 8.1 grams per denier, and in vivo, retain at least 65% of their initial strength at 2 weeks. The monofilament fibers retain at least 50% of their initial strength at 4 weeks in vivo. The monofilament fibers have tensile strengths higher than 500 MPa. These yarns and fibers may be used to make various medical devices for various applications.

Abstract: Compositions of P4HB with high purity have been developed. The compositions are prepared by washing P4HB biomass prior to solvent extraction, and precipitating P4HB from solution. The same solvent is preferably used to wash the P4HB biomass, and as a non-solvent to precipitate the polymer from a P4HB solvent solution. The highly pure P4HB compositions are suitable for preparing implants. The implants may be used for the repair of soft and hard tissues.

Abstract: Resorbable implants comprising poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have been developed. The implants implants are preferably sterilized, and contain less than 20 endotoxin units per device as determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and are particularly suitable for use in procedures where prolonged strength retention is necessary, and can include one or more bioactive agents. The implants may be made from fibers and meshes of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, or by 3d printing, and the fibers may be oriented. Coverings and receptacles made from forms of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have also been developed for use with cardiac rhythm management devices and other implantable devices. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators.

Abstract: Mastopexy implants for lifting the breast of a patient create new tissue planes in the breast that provide a more durable lift, and are particularly useful in lifting breasts with a high content of fatty tissue. The implants can be implanted through stab incisions using blunt dissection, and reduce operating time, and provide an improved aesthetic appearance with minimal scar formation. The implants are designed to be transitory, and have sufficient strength retention to allow the new tissue planes to form and support the lifted breast without any significant loss of support during this regenerative period.