Abstract: Compositions for making implants comprising high levels of resorbable bioceramics have been developed. These compositions comprise P4HB and copolymers thereof filled with bioceramics, and can be prepared with high levels of bioceramic without the compositions becoming too brittle for the intended application. A preferred embodiment comprises P4HB filled with ?-TCP.

Abstract: Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with prolonged strength retention have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available, and could offer additional benefits such as anti-adhesion properties, reduced risks of infection or other post-operative problems resulting from absorption and eventual elimination of the device, and competitive cost. The devices may also be particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their absorption should not hinder growth, and provide in all patient populations wound healing with long-term mechanical stability. The devices may additionally be combined with autologous, allogenic and/or xenogenic tissues to provide implants with improved mechanical, biological and handling properties.

Abstract: A generic address resolution system facilitates communications among multiple network applications with heterogeneous addressing mechanisms, thereby allowing the network applications to interoperate with each other and/or with modules for providing enhanced functionalities. The address resolution system includes a resource mapping module that modularizes the components needed for address resolution and abstracts content from the underlying address types and content used by the network applications. The address resolution system includes a context engine that analyzes the addressing data to be resolved, selects one or more appropriate destination network applications based on contextual rules, and creates the application mapping template for the end-end routing of the communications among the network applications.

Abstract: A generic address resolution system facilitates communications among multiple network applications with heterogeneous addressing mechanisms, thereby allowing the network applications to interoperate with each other and/or with modules for providing enhanced functionalities. The address resolution system includes a resource mapping module that modularizes the components needed for address resolution and abstracts content from the underlying address types and content used by the network applications. The address resolution system includes a context engine that analyzes the addressing data to be resolved, selects one or more appropriate destination network applications based on contextual rules, and creates the application mapping template for the end-end routing of the communications among the network applications.

Abstract: A system has a compressor (22, 412). A heat rejection heat exchanger (30) is coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant compressed by the compressor. The system has a heat absorption heat exchanger (64). The system includes a separator (170) comprising a vessel having an interior. The separator has an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. An inlet conduit may extend from the inlet and may have the conduit outlet positioned to discharge an inlet flow into the vessel interior to cause the inlet flow to hit a wall before passing to a liquid refrigerant accumulation in the vessel.

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from which pyrogen has been removed are provided. PHAs which have been chemically modified to enhance physical and/or chemical properties, for targeting or to modify biodegradability or clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), are described. Methods for depyrogenating PHA polymers prepared by bacterial fermentation processes are also provided, wherein pyrogens are removed from the polymers without adversely impacting the polymers' inherent chemical structures and physical properties. PHAs with advantageous processing characteristics, including low melting points and/or solubility in non-toxic solvents, are also described. The PHAs are suitable for use in in vivo applications such as in tissue coatings, stents, sutures, tubing, bone, other prostheses, bone or tissue cements, tissue regeneration devices, wound dressings, drug delivery, and for diagnostic and prophylactic uses.

Abstract: Continuous processing methods for making absorbable polymeric non-wovens with one or more of the following properties: high burst strength, fine fibers of average diameter from 1 ?m to 50 ?m, and thickness from 10 ?m to 50 mm, have been developed. Improved fiber cohesion is made possible by allowing the fibers of the non-woven to initially remain molten during web collection. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate, and in the most preferred embodiment, the polymer comprises 4-hydroxybutyrate. A particularly preferred embodiment is a non-woven of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or copolymer thereof, wherein the non-woven has a burst strength greater than 0.1 Kgf, wherein the non-woven is derived by a continuous melt-blown process. The non-wovens can be used for a variety of purposes including fabrication of medical devices.

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from which pyrogen has been removed are provided for use in numerous biomedical applications. PHAs which have been chemically modified to enhance physical and/or chemical properties, for targeting or to modify biodegradability or clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), are described. Methods for depyrogenating PHA polymers prepared by bacterial fermentation processes are also provided, wherein pyrogens are removed from the polymers without adversely impacting the polymers' inherent chemical structures and physical properties. PHAs with advantageous processing characteristics, including low melting points and/or solubility in non-toxic solvents, are also described. PHAs are provided which are suitable for use in in vivo applications such as in tissue coatings, stents, sutures, tubing, bone and other prostheses, bone or tissue cements, tissue regeneration devices, wound dressings, drug delivery, and for diagnostic and prophylactic uses.

Abstract: Continuous processing methods for making absorbable polymeric dry spun non-wovens with one or more of the following properties: high burst strength, fine fibers of average diameter from 0.01 ?m to 50 ?m, and thickness from 10 ?m to 10 mm, have been developed. Improved fiber cohesion is made possible by controlling the tackiness of the fibers of the non-woven during web collection. The polymer is preferably a polyhydroxyalkanoate, more preferably, a 4-hydroxybutyrate polymer or copolymer. A non-woven of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate is most preferred. The non-wovens have fine fibers with average diameters ranging from 0.01 ?m to 50 ?m, and are derived by dry spun processing, during which a solution of polymer(s) is injected into a stream of high velocity air with a pressure of 1 to 500 psi for solvent stripping and polymer strand attenuation. The non-wovens can be used for a variety of purposes including fabrication of medical devices.

Abstract: Biocompatible coatings and spin finishes that can be applied to polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers, and medical devices made from PHA polymers, have been developed. The coatings impart good lubricity to PHA polymers, particularly to fibers and braids made from these materials, making the coatings ideal for use on medical devices such as PHA braided sutures. The spin finishes can be applied to PHA fibers to facilitate their manufacture, and also for their conversion to other products, including medical textiles. The spin finishes serve to protect multifilament fiber bundles, and keep them intact following extrusion, and also to impart lubricity to the fiber bundles and monofilament fibers so that they are not damaged in subsequent processing steps particularly in textile processing. The coating reduces tissue drag of, for example, braided sutures.

Abstract: Genetically engineered organisms for production of PHA copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers and the methods of making and using thereof have been developed. The copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers can be synthesized via biosynthesis by the action of a PHA polymerase in a living cell. By changing the genetic background of the cells, one can control specific metabolic pathways allowing control of the level of glycolic acid co-monomer in the PHA polymer.

Abstract: Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with prolonged strength retention have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available, and could offer additional benefits such as anti-adhesion properties, reduced risks of infection or other post-operative problems resulting from absorption and eventual elimination of the device, and competitive cost. The devices may also be particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their absorption should not hinder growth, and provide in all patient populations wound healing with long-term mechanical stability. The devices may additionally be combined with autologous, allogenic and/or xenogenic tissues to provide implants with improved mechanical, biological and handling properties.

Abstract: Genetically engineered organisms for production of PHA copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers and the methods of making and using thereof have been developed. The copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers can be synthesized via biosynthesis by the action of a PHA polymerase in a living cell. By changing the genetic background of the cells, one can control specific metabolic pathways allowing control of the level of glycolic acid co-monomer in the PHA polymer.

Abstract: Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with prolonged strength retention have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available, and could offer additional benefits such as anti-adhesion properties, reduced risks of infection or other post-operative problems resulting from absorption and eventual elimination of the device, and competitive cost. The devices may also be particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their absorption should not hinder growth, and provide in all patient populations wound healing with long-term mechanical stability. The devices may additionally be combined with autologous, allogenic and/or xenogenic tissues to provide implants with improved mechanical, biological and handling properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for anesthetizing a region of a patient's body. The method includes identifying a target nerve which, upon activation, anesthetizes a region of a patient's body including a surgical site. The target nerve is located and an active site of a nerve blocking apparatus is placed in proximity to the nerve. The nerve blocking apparatus is activated to block neural propagation along the nerve. The activation of the nerve blocking apparatus is maintained during a surgical procedure at the surgical site.

Abstract: Interposition and augmentation devices for tendon and ligament repair, including rotator cuff repair, have been developed as well as methods for their delivery using arthroscopic methods. The devices are preferably derived from biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates, and preferably from copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. The devices may be delivered arthroscopically, and offer additional benefits such as support for the surgical repair, high initial strength, prolonged strength retention in vivo, flexibility, anti-adhesion properties, improved biocompatibility, an ability to remodel in vivo to healthy tissue, minimal risk for disease transmission or to potentiate infection, options for fixation including sufficiently high strength to prevent suture pull out or other detachment of the implanted device, eventual absorption eliminating future risk of foreign body reactions or interference with subsequent procedures, competitive cost, and long-term mechanical stability.

Abstract: Absorbable stents and absorbable stent coatings have been developed with improved properties. These devices preferably comprise biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate, and optionally poly-L-lactic acid and other absorbable polymers and additives. Compositions of these materials can be used to make absorbable stents that provide advantageous radial strengths, resistance to recoil and creep, can be plastically expanded on a balloon catheter, and can be deployed rapidly in vivo. Stent coatings derived from these materials provide biocompatible, uniform coatings that are ductile, and can be expanded without the coating cracking and/or delarmnating and can be used as a coating matrix for drug incorporation.

Abstract: Continuous processing methods for making absorbable polymeric films with one or more of the following properties: high toughness, low modulus, high tensile strength, and thickness less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 1 mm, and more preferably less than 100 ?m, have been developed. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate, and in the most preferred embodiment, the polymer comprises 4-hydroxybutyrate. A particularly preferred embodiment is a film of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or copolymer thereof, wherein the film has a tensile strength greater than 5.5 kgf/mm2, tensile modulus less than 181 kgf/mm2, and elongation at break from 10-500%, wherein the film is derived by a continuous process such as melt extrusion or solvent casting, followed by orientation to more than 25% of the film's original length in one or more directions. These can be used for a variety of purposes including fabrication of medical devices.

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from which pyrogen has been removed are provided for use in numerous biomedical applications. PHAs which have been chemically modified to enhance physical and/or chemical properties, for targeting or to modify biodegradability or clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), are described. Methods for depyrogenating PHA polymers prepared by bacterial fermentation processes are also provided, wherein pyrogens are removed from the polymers without adversely impacting the polymers' inherent chemical structures and physical properties. PHAs with advantageous processing characteristics, including low melting points and/or solubility in non-toxic solvents, are also described. PHAs are provided which are suitable for use in in vivo applications such as in tissue coatings, stents, sutures, tubing, bone and other prostheses, bone or tissue cements, tissue regeneration devices, wound dressings, drug delivery, and for diagnostic and prophylactic uses.

Abstract: Continuous processing methods for making absorbable polymeric films with one or more of the following properties: high toughness, low modulus, high tensile strength, and thickness less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 1 mm, and more preferably less than 100 ?m, have been developed. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate, and in the most preferred embodiment, the polymer comprises 4-hydroxybutyrate. A particularly preferred embodiment is a film of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or copolymer thereof, wherein the film has a tensile strength greater than 5.5 kgf/mm2, tensile modulus less than 181 kgf/mm2, and elongation at break from 10-500%, wherein the film is derived by a continuous process such as melt extrusion or solvent casting, followed by orientation to more than 25% of the film's original length in one or more directions. These can be used for a variety of purposes including fabrication of medical devices.