Abstract: A bioabsorbable rivet and pin fastening device that may be used for attachment of a fixation plate to bone is described herein. The rivet having a head that is mechanically connected to two or more legs that extend generally distally from the head. The pin being radially compressible and less compliant than the legs of the rivet. The pin when inserted into the rivet will contact the internal surface of said legs to apply force on said legs in a direction perpendicular to the central axis to frictionally engage with the adjacent bone.

Abstract: The present invention describes a polyoxaester copolymer and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, drug matrices, adhesives, sealants and the like. The invention also contemplates a process for producing these polyesters. The polyoxaester copolymers of the present invention are formed from a first divalent repeating unit of formula IA: [—O—C(O)—R30—C(O)—]  IA a second divalent repeating unit of the formula IB: [O—C(O)—C(R1)(R2)—O—R3—O—C(R′1)(R′2)—C(O)—]  IB and a third repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of: [—O—R4—]A,  II [—O—R5—C(O)—]B,  III ([—O—R5—C(O)]P—O—)LG  XI and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A surgical device having a latching mechanism comprising a latch member; and a retaining member having at least one aperture adapted to receive and retain said latch member in a locked position, said latch member and said retaining member being of contrasting colors so that when the latch member is locked in place by the retaining member that the latch member's presence in the locked position is externally visible.

Abstract: Composite materials formed from biocompatible polymer fibers and biodegradable polymers are disclosed. The heat treatment conditions for the reinforcing fibers are described so that the mechanical properties of the fibers can be retained during composite consolidation process. The processing conditions and set-ups to consolidations are constrained to the temperatures lower than fiber heat treatment temperatures. The reinforcing fibers are restrained under tension so that the minimum relaxation occurs during consolidation process.

Abstract: The present invention describes a polyoxaester copolymer and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, drug matrices, adhesives, sealants and the like. The invention also contemplates a process for producing these polyesters. The polyoxaester copolymers of the present invention are formed from a first divalent repeating unit of formula IA:[--O--C(O)--R.sub.30 --C(O)--] IAa second divalent repeating unit of the formula IB:[O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--R.sub.3 --O--C(R'.sub.1)(R'.sub.2)--C(O)--] IBand a third repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:[--O--R.sub.4 --].sub.A, II[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, III([--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof. These aliphatic polyoxaesters may be blended with other polymers that are preferably biocompatable.

Abstract: The present invention describes a polyoxaamide copolymer and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as catheters, molded devices, and the like. The polyoxaamide copolymers of the present invention are composed of a first divalent repeating unit of formula IA:[--X'--C(O)--R.sub.30 --C(O)--] IAa second divalent repeating unit of the formula IB:[X--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--R.sub.3 --O--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--C(O)--]IBand a third repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:[--Y--R.sub.17 --].sub.T II[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, III([--O--R.sub.9 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof, wherein R.sub.30 is an alkylene, arylene, arylalkylene, substituted alkylene, substituted arylene and substituted alkylarylene provided that R.sub.30 cannot be --[C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)].sub.1--2 --O--R.sub.3 --O--[C(R'.sub.1)(R'.sub.2)].sub.

Abstract: The present invention discloses polymers of poly(p-dioxanone having an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, as determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C. This invention also describes improved surgical devices and filaments made from poly(p-dioxanone) with an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C. Additionally, disclosed are processes for manufacturing poly(p-dioxanone) with an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, as determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C., as well as, processes for molding surgical articles and extruding surgical filaments from these polymers.

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 describes a polyoxaester copolymers containing amines and/or amido groups and blends thereof with other polymers that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The polyoxaesters copolymer of the present invention is formed from a first divalent repeating unit of formula IA:[--C(O)--R.sub.30 --C(O)--] IAa second divalent repeating unit of the formula IB:[O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--C(O)-- ]Iand a third repeating unit of the formula:[--O--R.sub.12 --].sub.U, XVIand optionally a fourth repeating unit with a formula selected from the group consisting of:[--O--R.sub.4 --].sub.A, II[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, III([--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof wherein R.sub.12 contains an internal amine or internal amide group.

Abstract: A suture anchor is described which in one form may be easily fabricated from extruded material by angular cuts and bore holes which provide an offset pulling force to the suture. In an alternate and preferred embodiment the suture anchor is injection molded having an annular displaced corner and abutment wall which act to seat the suture anchor firmly within a bore hole. Novel application means are also disclosed which hold the suture anchor on a frangible shaft for insertion and upon completion of the insertion permit fracture of the frangible portion and removal of the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention describes a crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaamide polymer and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as catheters, molded devices, and the like. The crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaamide of the present invention are formed by crosslinking an aliphatic polyoxaamide having a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:?X--C(O)--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--C(O)--! Iand a second repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:?--Y--R.sub.17 --!.sub.T, II?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--!.sub.B, and III(?--O--R.sub.9 --C(O)!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof, wherein X and Y are selected from the group consisting of --O-- and --N(R)--, provided both X and Y are not both --0-- and may be blended with a second polymer that is preferably biocompatable.

Abstract: The present invention discloses polymers of poly(p-dioxanone having an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, as determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C. This invention also describes improved surgical devices and filaments made from poly(p-dioxanone) with an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C. Additionally, disclosed are processes for manufacturing poly(p-dioxanone) with an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, as determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C., as well as, processes for molding surgical articles and extruding surgical filaments from these polymers.

Abstract: The present invention describes a prepolymer of an aliphatic polyoxaester having a polymerizable end group that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention describes a prepolymer of aliphatic polyoxaesters containing amines and/or amido groups having polymerizable end groups that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention describes a crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaesters containing amines and/or amido groups and blends thereof with other polymers that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaesters of the present invention is formed from an aliphatic polyoxaester having a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:?O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--C(O)-- !Iand a second repeating unit of the formula:?--O--R.sub.12 --!.sub.U, XVIand optionally a third repeating unit with a formula selected from the group consisting of:?--O--R.sub.4 --!.sub.A, II?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--!.sub.B, III(?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof wherein R.sub.12 contains an internal amine or internal amide group wherein the aliphatic polyoxaester has been crosslinked.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new crossslinkable and crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaesters and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The invention also contemplates a process for producing these polyesters. The crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaesters of the present invention are formed from an aliphatic polyoxaester a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:?O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--C(O)--! Iand a second repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:?--O--R.sub.4 --!.sub.A, II?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--!.sub.B, IIIand(?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof. These aliphatic polyoxaesters may be blended with other polymers which are preferably biocompatible.

Abstract: A suture anchor is described which in one form may be easily fabricated from extruded material by angular cuts and bore holes which provide an offset pulling force to the suture. In an alternate and preferred embodiment the suture anchor is injection molded having an annular displaced corner and abutment wall which act to seat the suture anchor firmly within a bore hole. Novel application means are also disclosed which hold the suture anchor on a frangible shaft for insertion and upon completion of the insertion permit fracture of the frangible portion and removal of the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suture clip for attachment to at least one suture comprising a suture clip body having a central longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, an outer surface and a proximal surface, wherein the inner surface forms a passage that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and is connected to the outer surface by a longitudinal slot which extends from the distal end to the proximal end of the suture clip body and the proximal surface has a major dimension at least five times larger than the diameter of said suture and a collar disposed about said suture clip body engaging the outer surface of the suture clip body to deflect the inner surface to frictionally engage the suture. Also described herein are methods of using this suture clip in surgical procedures.

Abstract: A radiation-curable prepolymer of a polyurethane endtipped with an hydroxy (acrylate or methacrylate) is disclosed. The polyurethane is derived from the reaction of a polyfunctional isocyanate with a hydrolyzable oligomer of an anhydrous cyclic ester of an hydroxy acid. Crosslinked polymers prepared by irradiating the prepolymers are also disclosed. The crosslinked polymers are bioabsorbable and biocompatible with bodily tissue, yet still maintain the outstanding mechanical properties one would expect from a polyurethane. The prepolymers and crosslinked polymers are especially well-suited for the fabrication of surgical devices, particularly wound closure devices such as surgical staples and clips, in a stereolithography apparatus.

Abstract: A suture anchor device having an anchor member with outwardly extending wing members and an actuating wedge member. The suture anchor device is inserted into a bore hole in a bone as part of an orthopedic surgical procedure wherein soft tissue such as a tendon or ligament is attached to the surface of the bone. The wing members are spread outwardly by the wedge member to lock the suture anchor device in the bone. The suture anchor has similar utility in soft tissue applications.