Abstract: A suture anchor for fixation within an anatomical structure includes an actuation member in contact with an anchor body at a first location thereof. The anchor body is elongate along a direction of elongation and defines a central axis. In a neutral configuration, the anchor body is flat and defines a thickness along a transverse direction and a width along a lateral direction, the width being greater than the thickness. The anchor body has first and second tails that are braided together along a portion of the actuation member from the first location to a second location of the anchor body. The actuation member is configured to apply a force to the braided anchor body so as to actuate the anchor body in a manner increasing its maximum thickness along a second direction that is angularly offset from the direction of elongation.

Abstract: A suture construct that is elongate along a longitudinal direction and configured to change in size from a first configuration to a second configuration includes an outer layer of material that extends along the longitudinal direction and has a plurality of intertwined fibers that comprise a first sub-set of fibers crossed by a second sub-set of fibers at respective intersections, such that the first subset of fibers and the second subset of fibers are configured to reorient relative to each other in a manner causing the outer layer of material to change in one or more of surface texture and visual appearance as the suture construct changes between the first and second configurations.

Abstract: Methods to produce substantially closed cell foams with densities less than 0.75 g/cm3, and more preferably less than 0.5 g/cm3, without substantial loss of the polymer's weight average molecular weight, have been developed. The closed cells foams have an open cell content of generally less than 50%, and more preferably an open cell content of less than 20%, and the cells have a maximum diameter of less than 5 mm. The foam may include poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or a copolymer thereof. Preferably, the foam is derived by heating a foam polymer formula to a temperature above the melt temperature of the polymer to form a melt polymer system, adding a blowing agent to produce a foamable melt, extruding the foamable melt through a die to a lower pressure to cause foaming, cooling of the foam, and solidification of the foam. These foam structures can be used for fabrication of medical products.

Abstract: Methods to produce substantially closed cell foams with densities less than 0.75 g/cm3, and more preferably less than 0.5 g/cm3, without substantial loss of the polymer's weight average molecular weight, have been developed. The closed cells foams have an open cell content of generally less than 50%, and more preferably an open cell content of less than 20%, and the cells have a maximum diameter of less than 5 mm. The foam may include poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or a copolymer thereof. Preferably, the foam is derived by heating a foam polymer formula to a temperature above the melt temperature of the polymer to form a melt polymer system, adding a blowing agent to produce a foamable melt, extruding the foamable melt through a die to a lower pressure to cause foaming, cooling of the foam, and solidification of the foam. These foam structures can be used for fabrication of medical products.

Abstract: A suture anchor for fixation within an anatomical structure includes an actuation member in contact with an anchor body at a first location thereof. The anchor body is elongate along a direction of elongation and defines a central axis. In a neutral configuration, the anchor body is flat and defines a thickness along a transverse direction and a width along a lateral direction, the width being greater than the thickness. The anchor body has first and second tails that are braided together along a portion of the actuation member from the first location to a second location of the anchor body. The actuation member is configured to apply a force to the braided anchor body so as to actuate the anchor body in a manner increasing its maximum thickness along a second direction that is angularly offset from the direction of elongation.

Abstract: Methods to produce thermoforms from P4HB homopolymer and blends thereof have been developed. These thermoforms are produced from films and sheets including P4HB, wherein the intrinsic viscosity of the P4HB is less than 3.5 dl/g, but greater than 0.35 dl/g, and the thermoforms are produced at a temperature equal to or greater than the softening point of P4HB, and more preferably at a temperature higher than the melting point of P4HB. A preferred embodiment includes a P4HB thermoform wherein a film or sheet including a P4HB polymer is thermoformed at a temperature between its melting point and 150° C. In a particularly preferred embodiment the thermoform is a laminate made from a P4HB film and a P4HB mesh.

Abstract: Methods to produce thermoforms from P4HB homopolymer and blends thereof have been developed. These thermoforms are produced from films and sheets including P4HB, wherein the intrinsic viscosity of the P4HB is less than 3.5 dl/g, but greater than 0.35 dl/g, and the thermoforms are produced at a temperature equal to or greater than the softening point of P4HB, and more preferably at a temperature higher than the melting point of P4HB. A preferred embodiment includes a P4HB thermoform wherein a film or sheet including a P4HB polymer is thermoformed at a temperature between its melting point and 150° C. In a particularly preferred embodiment the thermoform is a laminate made from a P4HB film and a P4HB mesh.

Abstract: Methods to produce thermoforms from P4HB homopolymer and blends thereof have been developed. These thermoforms are produced from films and sheets including P4HB, wherein the intrinsic viscosity of the P4HB is less than 3.5 dl/g, but greater than 0.35 dl/g, and the thermoforms are produced at a temperature equal to or greater than the softening point of P4HB, and more preferably at a temperature higher than the melting point of P4HB. A preferred embodiment includes a P4HB thermoform wherein a film or sheet including a P4HB polymer is thermoformed at a temperature between its melting point and 150° C. In a particularly preferred embodiment the thermoform is a laminate made from a P4HB film and a P4HB mesh.

Abstract: Methods to produce substantially closed cell foams with densities less than 0.75 g/cm3, and more preferably less than 0.5 g/cm3, without substantial loss of the polymer's weight average molecular weight, have been developed. The closed cells foams have an open cell content of generally less than 50%, and more preferably an open cell content of less than 20%, and the cells have a maximum diameter of less than 5 mm. The foam may include poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or a copolymer thereof. Preferably, the foam is derived by heating a foam polymer formula to a temperature above the melt temperature of the polymer to form a melt polymer system, adding a blowing agent to produce a foamable melt, extruding the foamable melt through a die to a lower pressure to cause foaming, cooling of the foam, and solidification of the foam. These foam structures can be used for fabrication of medical products.

Abstract: Methods to produce thermoforms from P4HB homopolymer and blends thereof have been developed. These thermoforms are produced from films and sheets including P4HB, wherein the intrinsic viscosity of the P4HB is less than 3.5 dl/g, but greater than 0.35 dl/g, and the thermoforms are produced at a temperature equal to or greater than the softening point of P4HB, and more preferably at a temperature higher than the melting point of P4HB. A preferred embodiment includes a P4HB thermoform wherein a film or sheet including a P4HB polymer is thermoformed at a temperature between its melting point and 150° C. In a particularly preferred embodiment the thermoform is a laminate made from a P4HB film and a P4HB mesh.