Abstract: A braided polyester suture made from polyester yarn filaments having a tenacity of from about 7 to about 11 g/denier, a percent elongation to break of less than about 30 percent and the polymer from which the filaments are made has an intrinsic viscosity greater than about 0.95. The invention also provides an implantable medical device constructed from yarn filaments having these properties.

Abstract: A dyed braided suture is formed by dry blending a colorant and a thermoplastic resin; extruding the blend by melt spinning to form filaments; drawing the filaments, braiding the drawn filaments and converting the braided filaments to a suture.

Abstract: The invention involves the use of absorbable or absorbable/nonabsorbable components to fabricate textile vascular grafts of all sizes and specifically for repair of the peripheral vascular system and for coronary bypass use. The bioabsorbable component of the graft fosters increased tissue ingrowth into the graft as compared to conventional 100% nonabsorbable grafts. Increased tissue ingrowth leads to greater patency through formation of a vascularized neointima and less tendency to be aneurysmal through formation of a suitable adventitia. The absorbable component can be a variety of materials, including PGA, MAXON.TM., etc., whereas the nonabsorbable component (to be used as the backbone) can be new materials, e.g. NOVAFIL.RTM., or more conventional polymers, including polyester, polyamide or polypropylene.

Abstract: The invention involves a method to texturize absorbable or absorbable/nonabsorbable components that are to be used to fabricate textile grafts of all sizes, and specifically for repair of the peripheral vascular system and for coronary bypass use. The bioabsorbable component of the graft fosters increased tissue ingrowth into the graft as compared to conventional 100% nonabsorbable grafts. Increased tissue ingrowth leads to greater patency through formation of a vascularized neointima and less tendency to be aneurysmal through formation of a suitable adventitia. The absorbable component can be a variety of materials, including PGA, the polymer used to manufacture the MAXON.TM. suture, etc., whereas the nonabsorbable component (to be used as the backbone) can be new materials, e.g. the polymer used to manufacture the NOVAFIL.RTM. suture, or more conventional polymers, including polyester, polyamide or polypropylene.

Abstract: A surgical repair device having a length to width ratio of greater than one is disclosed. The device has an absorbable component consisting essentially of a first plurality of fibers. Each fiber of the first plurality of fibers is prepared from poly(butylene terephthalate) or a polymer having a glycolic or lactic acid ester linkage. The deivce also has a nonabsorbable component consisting of a second plurality of fibers. Each fiber of the second plurality of fibers is prepared from a polyether-ester block copolymer. The device comprises about ten percent of the first plurality of fibers and about ninety percent of the second plurality of fibers. The majority of the first and of the second plurality of fibers is essentially in the lengthwise direction of the device. The device can be knitted or woven. In one embodiment, the device is a connective tissue repair device.

Abstract: A tubular prosthetic article having at least four chemically distinct fibers is disclosed. A first and second fiber are made of absorbable polymers and a third and fourth fiber are made from nonabsorbable polymers. The absorbable polymers are made from the monomeric units of esters such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, polydioxanone and blends of the same. The nonabsorbable polymers may be made from esters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polybutester, or blends of the same. These four chemically distinct fibers may be woven or knitted into a tubular form.

Abstract: The invention involves the use of absorbable or absorbable/nonabsorbable components to fabricate textile vascular grafts of all sizes and specifically for repair of the peripheral vascular system and for coronary bypass use. The bioabsorbable component of the graft fosters increased tissue ingrowth into the graft as compared to conventional 100% nonabsorbable grafts. Increased tissue ingrowth leads to greater patency through formation of a vascularized neointima and less tendency to be aneurysmal through formation of a suitable adventitia. The absorbable component can be a variety of materials, including PGA, MAXOM.TM., etc., whereas the nonabsorbable component (to be used as the backbone) can be new materials, e.g. NOVAFIL.RTM., or more conventional polymers, including polyester, polyamide or polypropylene. The vascular grafts further comprise an external support helically wrapped therearound and permanently attached to the outside surface.

Abstract: A mesh or fabric, having zero to variable stretch, is made from absorbable or partially absorbable fibers. The mesh or fabric can be either knitted or woven. The fabric is useful in surgical repair.

Abstract: A surgical repair device having a length to width ratio of greater than one is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of fibers. The majority of the fibers are in a direction essentially parallel to the device length.The device has an absorbable component comprising a glycolic or lactic acid ester linkage. The remainder of the device, if any, has a non-absorbable component. The device can be used as a flat braid in the repair of a ligament or tendon.

Abstract: The invention involves the use of absorbable or absorbable/nonabsorbable components to fabricate textile vascular grafts of all sizes and specifically for repair of the peripheral vascular system and for coronary bypass use. The bioabsorbable component of the graft fosters increased tissue ingrowth into the graft as compared to conventional 100% nonabsorbable grafts. Increased tissue ingrowth leads to greater patency through formation of a vascularized neointima and less tendency to be aneurysmal through formation of a suitable adventitia. The absorbable component can be a variety of materials, including PGA, MAXON.TM., etc., whereas the nonabsorbable component (to be used as the backbone) can be new materials, e.g. NOVAFIL.RTM., or more conventional polymers, including polyester, polyamide or polypropylene.

Abstract: A mesh or fabric, having zero to variable stretch, is made from absorbable or partially absorbable fibers. The mesh or fabric can be either knitted or woven. The fabric is useful in surgical repair.