Abstract: A sterile surgical suture comprising an absorbable, radiation sterilizable, normally solid polymer comprising a copolyester that comprises repeating divalent units of the formulas:(A) --O--CO--CH.sub.2 --O--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, and(B) --G--, and(C) --O--CO--CHR--O--.sub.m Ph--O--CHR--CO--O--wherein G represents the residue after removal of the hydroxyl groups of a dihydric alcohol, wherein Ph represents 1,2-, 1,3-, or 1,4-phenylene or alkyl- or alkoxy-substituted phenylene, wherein m represents a number having a value of 0 or 1, wherein R represents hydrogen or lower alkyl, and wherein the divalent units (A), (B), and (C) are bonded to each other through ester groups contained in said units.

Abstract: Copolymers of an (ethylenedioxy)bis benzoate, an alkylene diol and a (2-alkenyl or alkyl) succinic anhydride, as well as surgical devices formed therefrom; especially, flexible monofilament surgical sutures having unique handling and knot-tying characteristics.

Abstract: Novel copolymers of .epsilon.-caprolactone and glycolide useful in making surgical articles and particularly surgical sutures having Young's modulus of less than 250,000 psi. New and improved polymerization methods for producing the novel .epsilon.-caprolactone and glycolide copolymers.

Abstract: An absorbable, radiation sterilizable, normally solid polymer comprising a copolyester that comprises repeating divalent units of the formulas:(A) --O--CO--CH.sub.2 --O--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, and(B) --G--, and(C) --O--CO--CHR--O--.sub.m Ph--O--CHR--CO--O--wherein G represents the residue after removal of the hydroxyl groups of a dihydric alcohol, wherein Ph represents 1,2-, 1,3-, or 1,4-phenylene or alkyl- or alkoxy-substituted phenylene, wherein m represents a number having a value of 0 or 1, wherein R represents hydrogen or lower alkyl, and wherein the divalent units (A), (B), and (C) are bonded to each other through ester groups contained in said units.

Abstract: Absorbable, radiation sterilizable polymers, useful as sutures and other medical and surgical devices, are produced from polyesters of substituted benzoic acid, dihydric alcohols, and glycolide and/or lactide.

Abstract: Copolymers of an (ethylenedioxy)bis benzoate, an alkylene diol and a (2-alkenyl or alkyl) succinic anhydride, as well as surgical devices formed therefrom; especially, flexible monofilament surgical sutures having unique handling and knot-tying characteristics.

Abstract: Absorbable, radiation sterilizable polymers, useful as sutures and other medical and surgical devices, are produced from polyesters of substituted benzoic acid, dihydric alcohols, and glycolide and/or lactide.

Abstract: Radiation sterilizable polymeric materials, particularly radiation sterilizable absorbable, surgical products made from such polymeric materials.

Abstract: Alternating esteramide polymers are obtained from the reaction of bis-oxamidodiols such as N,N'-bis(.omega.-hydroxyalkylene)oxamide with a dicarboxylic acid or diesters such as diethyl oxalate, diethyl succinate, diethyl suberate, or dimethyl terephthalate. The polymers are obtained in good yield and have film- and fiber-forming properties. Some polymers are absorbable in biological systems and are useful as absorbable surgical devices. Other of these polymers are nonabsorbable and are useful as textile fibers.

Abstract: Alternating esteramide polymers are obtained from the reaction of bis-oxamidodiols such as N,N'-bis(.omega.-hydroxyalkylene)oxamide with a dicarboxylic acid or diesters such as diethyl oxalate, diethyl succinate, diethyl suberate, or dimethyl terephthalate. The polymers are obtained in good yield and have film- and fiber-forming properties. Some polymers are absorbable in biological systems and are useful as absorbable surgical devices. Other of these polymers are nonabsorbable and are useful as textile fibers.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable sutures are prepared from copolyoxalate polymers having isomorphic sequences. The polymers are derived from mixtures of cyclic and linear diols, each having the same carbon chain length of 6 or 8 atoms. The cyclic diol may be aliphatic or aromatic. The diols are polymerized with dialkyl oxalate, preferably in the presence of an inorganic or organometallic catalyst, to obtain a highly crystalline isomorphic copolyoxalate polymer which is melt extruded and drawn to form oriented filaments. The filaments are characterized by good initial tensile and knot strength and a high order of softness and flexibility. When implanted in living animal tissue, the fibers have good strength retention over a period of at least 21 days and eventually absorb with a minimal degree of adverse tissue reaction.

Abstract: Synthetic filaments composed of homopolymers and copolymers of poly(alkylene oxalates) are absorbable in animal tissue with minimal adverse tissue reaction. Polymers prepared by reacting a dialkyl oxalate with an alkylene diol are melt spun and drawn to obtain oriented fibers having good tensile properties and a high level of flexibility and softness. The filaments are particularly useful in the preparation of surgical prosthesis comprising woven or knitted fabrics and meshes. Other absorbable surgical devices including films and molded items may also be prepared from the disclosed polymer.

Abstract: Absorbable polymers derived from alkylene oxalates are formulated with drugs and introduced into the body to provide a slow, sustained release of the drug over an extended period of time in accordance with the rate of absorption of the polymer. Polymers of alkylene oxalates, particularly wherein the alkylene moiety is C.sub.3 to C.sub.16, are biodegradable in animal tissue and absorb with minimal adverse tissue reaction.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable sutures are prepared from copolyoxalate polymers having isomorphic sequences. The polymers are derived from mixtures of cyclic and linear diols, each having the same carbon chain length of 6 or 8 atoms. The cyclic diol may be aliphatic or aromatic. The diols are polymerized with dialkyl oxalate, preferably in the presence of an inorganic or organometallic catalyst, to obtain a highly crystalline isomorphic copolyoxalate polymer which is melt extruded and drawn to form oriented filaments. The filaments are characterized by good initial tensile and knot strength and a high order of softness and flexibility. When implanted in living animal tissue, the fibers have good strength retention over a period of at least 21 days and eventually absorb with a minimal degree of adverse tissue reaction.

Abstract: Absorbable copolyoxalate polymers having isomorphic sequences are formulated with drugs and introduced into the body to provide a slow, sustained release of the drug over an extended period of time in accordance with the rate of absorption of the polymer. The copolyoxalate polymers are derived from mixtures of cyclic and linear diols, each having the same number of carbon atoms. The polymers are biodegradable in animal tissue and absorb with minimal adverse tissue reaction.

Abstract: The tie-down properties of multifilament surgical sutures are improved by coating the suture with an absorbable composition comprising a poly(alkylene oxalate) wherein the alkylene is a C.sub.6 or a mixture of C.sub.4 to C.sub.12 alkylene moieties. Braided sutures coated with from about 1 to 15 percent by weight of the composition are characterized by a smooth knot tie-down under both wet and dry conditions.