Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for equipping a surgical stapling device with a surgical buttress in order to provide reinforced surgical fastener suture lines and includes means for aligning the apparatus with the surgical staple device, an elastomeric foam surgical buttress contained within the alignment means and means for retaining the foam buttress within the alignment means, which alignment means is formed as a unitary body containing a frame, guide channel walls and means for receiving the elastomeric foam surgical buttress.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for equipping a surgical stapling device with a surgical buttress in order to provide reinforced surgical fastener suture lines and includes means for aligning the apparatus with the surgical staple device, an elastomeric foam surgical buttress contained within the alignment means and means for retaining the foam buttress within the alignment means, which alignment means is formed as a unitary body containing a frame, guide channel walls and means for receiving the elastomeric foam surgical buttress.

Abstract: A biocompatible tissue implant, as well as methods for making and using such an implant, is provided. Preferably, the tissue implant is bioabsorbable. The tissue implant comprises one or more layers of a bioabsorbable polymeric foam having pores with an open cell structure. The tissue implant also includes a reinforcement component which contributes both to the mechanical and the handling properties of the implant. Preferably, the reinforcement component of the instant invention is bioabsorbable as well. The tissue implant of the present invention can be used in connection with the surgical repair of soft tissue injury, such as injury to the pelvic floor.

Abstract: A biocompatible tissue implant, as well as methods for making and using such an implant, is provided. Preferably, the tissue implant is bioabsorbable. The tissue implant comprises one or more layers of a bioabsorbable polymeric foam having pores with an open cell structure. The tissue implant also includes a reinforcement component which contributes both to the mechanical and the handling properties of the implant. Preferably, the reinforcement component is bioabsorbable as well. The tissue implant provided can be used in connection with the surgical repair of soft tissue injury, such as injury to the pelvic floor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tissue scaffold implant devices useful in the repair and/or regeneration of diseased and/or damaged musculoskeletal tissue and that include a foam tissue scaffold component fixedly attached to a scaffold fixation component via partial encapsulation of the fixation component by the foam scaffold component, and to methods of making such tissue scaffold implant devices.

Abstract: A biocompatible tissue implant, as well as methods for making and using such an implant, is provided. Preferably, the tissue implant is bioabsorbable. The tissue implant comprises one or more layers of a bioabsorbable polymeric foam having pores with an open cell structure. The tissue implant also includes a reinforcement component which contributes both to the mechanical and the handling properties of the implant. Preferably, the reinforcement component of the instant invention is bioabsorbable as well. The tissue implant of the present invention can be used in connection with the surgical repair of soft tissue injury, such as injury to the pelvic floor.

Abstract: The present invention provides surgical article and suture coated with bioabsorbable microdispersions which contains a fluid carrier that is a liquid polymer and a particular material.

Abstract: The present claims are directed to a tipped surgical suture and a solventless method for making a tipped suture comprising a suture coated with 6-30 weight percent, based on the total weight of the tipped region of the suture, of a bioresorbable aliphatic polyester copolymer which itself comprises from 70-100 mole % of e-caprolactone repeating units or from 80-100 mole % of trimethylene carbonate repeating units, the remainder of repeating units in the copolymer comprising a plurality of lactide, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one units.

Abstract: The present invention provides injectable, bioabsorbable liquid copolymers suitable for use as a soft tissue repair or augmentation material in animals comprising a liquid polymer selected from the group consisting of liquid polymers of a plurality of at least two different first lactone repeating units and liquid polymers of a plurality of first lactone and second lactone repeating units; wherein the first lactone repeating units are selected from the group consisting of .epsilon.-caprolactone repeating units, trimethylene carbonate repeating units, ether lactone repeating units (which for the purpose of this invention shall mean 1,4-dioxepan-2-one and 1,5-dioxepan-2-one) and combinations thereof and the second lactone repeating units are selected from the group consisting of glycolide repeating units, lactide repeating units (which for the purpose of this invention are defined to be L-lactide, D-lactide, or D,L-lactide repeating units), p-dioxanone repeating units and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides injectable, bioabsorbable microdispersions suitable for use as a soft tissue repair or augmentation material in animals comprising a fluid carrier that is a liquid polymer selected from the group consisting of liquid polymers of a plurality of at least two different first lactone repeating units and other liquid polymers; and a particulate material. Additionally, the present invention also discloses methods of using these microdispersions for tissue augmentation and repair as well as kits which include prefilled containers to facilitate the use of these materials.

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: Absorbable polymers and blends of poly(alkylene diglycolate)s and aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers such as lactide, glycolide, 68 -caprolactone, p-dioxanone, and trimethylene carbonate are described. The polymers and blends exhibit a broad range of properties, useful in a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides injectable, bioabsorbable microdispersions suitable for use as a soft tissue repair or augmentation material in animals comprising a fluid carrier that is a liquid polymer selected from the group consisting of liquid polymers and a particulate material. Additionally, the present invention also discloses methods of using these microdispersions for tissue augmentation and repair as well as kits which include prefilled containers to facilitate the use of these materials.

Abstract: A piezoelectric medical device prepared by electrostatically spinning a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and a second fluorinated hydrocarbon, and collecting the spun fibers on a suitable receiver. The medical device can be in the form of a vascular prosthesis, neural prosthesis, or wound dressing and the copolymer can be composed of a predominant amount of vinylidene fluoride.

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: 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: 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 copolymer of an aromatic anhydride and an aliphatic ester suitable for use in surgical devices and a process for making said copolymer.

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.