Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing a braided suture having an improved knot strength comprising heating a braided suture coated with a low molecular weight biocompatible polymer to a temperature sufficient to melt the low molecular weight biocompatible polymer for a time sufficient to allow the low molecular polymer to be redistributed into the interstices of the braided suture thereby providing a coated braided suture with an improved knot tensile strength. Also disclosed is the coated braided suture having a low molecular weight polymer optimally dispersed throughout the braided suture's cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing a braided suture having an improved knot strength comprising heating a braided suture coated with a low molecular weight biocompatible polymer to a temperature sufficient to melt the low molecular weight biocompatible polymer for a time sufficient to allow the low molecular polymer to be redistributed into the interstices of the braided suture thereby providing a coated braided suture with an improved knot tensile strength. Also disclosed is the coated braided suture having a low molecular weight polymer optimally dispersed throughout the braided suture's cross-section.

Abstract: A suture having a coating thereon of an ethylene-propylene copolymer, and a method of coating a suture which comprises the steps of coating the surface of the suture with an effective amount of a solution of ethylene-propylene copolymer in an organic solvent, and then removing the solvent from the coated suture. The copolymer preferably has an average molecular weight of from about 25,000 to about 500,000 g/mole, and a mole percentage of about 55 to 70 percent ethylene and about 30 to 45 percent propylene. The coating provides an alternative to silicone, which has previously been used as a coating for sutures, and exhibits excellent performance properties, such as tactile smoothness, pliability, and knot tiedown performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating mixture composed of a solvent selected from the group consisting of ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate/ethanol, n-propyl acetate/acetone, isopropyl acetate/ethanol, ethyl acetate/acetone and blends thereof; a biocompatable polymer and optionally a fatty acid salt. The present invention also provides a process for coating surgical articles comprising forming a coating mixture, contacting a surgical article with the coating mixture; and drying the coated surgical article to substantially remove the solvent.

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 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 surgical suture having a coating thereon of at least one polyvinyl ester, and a method for improving the knot tiedown performance of a suture by first coating a polyvinyl ester solution onto the surface of the suture and then removing the solvent from the coated suture.

Abstract: A medical device for enclosing an internal bodily organ or tissue during surgery comprising a filamentary strand with noose and free end portions, the free end portion enclosed within a cannula; a surgical bag with an opening, the bag attached to the noose portion at the open end of the bag; and a means for pulling the free end portion proximally to reduce the diameter of the noose portion so as to close the open end of the surgical bag.

Abstract: A surgical suture having a coating thereon of a block poly(ether-co-amide), and a method for improving the knot tiedown performance of a suture by first coating a block poly(ether-co-amide) solution of a block poly(ether-co-amide) onto the surface of the suture and then removing the solvent from the coated suture.

Abstract: A surgical suture having a coating thereon of a copolymer of a predominant amount of p-dioxanone and the balance .epsilon.-caprolactone, and a method for improving the knot tiedown performance of a suture by first coating a solution of the coating copolymer onto the surface of the suture and then removing the solvent from the coated suture.

Abstract: A surgical suture having a coating thereon of at least one polyvinyl ester, and a method for improving the knot tiedown performance of a suture by first coating a polyvinyl ester solution onto the surface of the suture and then removing the solvent from the coated suture.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable copolymers comprising .rho.-dioxanone and AA-BB type polyalkylene carbonates are provided. The copolymers are useful in the fabrication of sterile surgical articles and bioabsorbable coatings for sutures and are produced from organic carbonates by way of prepolymeric synthetic intermediates.

Abstract: Copolymer of a predominant amount of .epsilon.-caprolactone, the balance being glycolide and glycolic acid. Coating for an absorbable, multifilament surgical suture prepared by dissolving the copolymer in an organic solvent.

Abstract: A needle-suture combination is provided in which a lubricant layer is provided at the juncture between the needle and the suture and specifically between the inner surfaces of a recess in the blunt end of the needle and the outer surface of one tip of the suture which is inserted into the recess and in tight engagement with at least a portion of the inner surface of the recess. The lubricant lowers the pull-out value of the needle-suture combination.

Abstract: A medical device for enclosing an internal bodily organ or tissue during surgery comprising a filamentary strand with noose and free end portions, the free end portion enclosed within a cannula; a surgical bag with an opening, the bag attached to the noose portion at the open end of the bag; and a means for pulling the free end portion proximally to reduce the diameter of the noose portion so as to close the open end of the surgical bag.