Abstract: A catheter for delivering fluids includes a hollow tube having a proximal section, a distal section, and an elongated lumen that extends through the proximal and distal sections of the hollow tube. One or more fluid openings are formed in the distal section of the hollow tube, which are in fluid communication with the elongated lumen of the hollow tube. A visible marker collar is secured to an outer surface of the hollow tube and is located at a junction of the proximal and distal sections of the hollow tube. A visible marker filament is disposed within the elongated lumen of the hollow tube and extends between the junction of the proximal and distal sections of the hollow tube and a distal end of the hollow tube. The visible markers are used to identify a soaker region of the catheter used to infuse fluids or drain fluids from a patient.

Abstract: A method of making a catheter includes obtaining a hollow tube having a proximal section, a distal section, an elongated conduit, and one or more fluid openings formed in the distal section of the hollow tube that are in fluid communication with the elongated lumen. The method includes inserting a mandrel within the elongated lumen, positioning a first visible marker over an outer surface of the hollow tube at a junction of the proximal and distal sections of the hollow tube, and placing a sacrificial material over the first visible marker to completely cover the first visible marker. Heat is applied for shrinking the sacrificial material, which, in turn, compresses the first visible marker against the outer surface of the hollow tube, and for least partially melting the first visible marker for fusing the first visible marker to the outer surface of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A spinneret for extruding fibers includes a plate having a proximal surface and a distal surface. The spinneret includes a plurality of holes formed in the plate that extend between the proximal surface and the distal surface of the plate. The holes are spaced from one another, and each hole has a distal end that extends along a central axis. The spinneret has a plurality of contoured entrance zones formed in the proximal surface of the plate, whereby each contoured entrance zone is associated with one of the holes. Each contoured entrance zone extends distally from the proximal surface of the plate to a proximal end of the hole associated therewith. Each contoured entrance zone has substantially no planar or flat surfaces normal to the direction of the central axis of the distal end of the hole associated therewith.

Abstract: A method for making an absorbable microtube comprising the steps of a) extruding an absorbable polymer melt through a die to produce a molten extrudate; b) passing the molten extrudate vertically through an air gap ranging from about 0.1 to 0.5 inch as measured-from-the tip of the die to the surface of a liquid quenching medium to produce a quenched extrudate; and c) drawing the quenched extrudate to produce a drawn tube having an outer diameter of about 4 to about 12 mil; and an absorbable microtube that is made according to this method.

Abstract: A co-extruded tissue grasping monofilament and a method for making the same. The monofilament includes a core made of a first material and extending along a length of said monofilament, and a plurality of tissue grasping elements extending outwardly from the core at least along a predetermined portion of the length of the monofilament. The plurality of tissue grasping elements are made of a second, different material having a greater stiffness than the first material. The method for making the monofilament is by co-extrusion.

Abstract: A PGA/PLA copolymer suture fiber having a fiber tenacity of between approximately 7.2 to 8.0 grams per denier and a fiber elongation between approximately 22% and 35% is produced by a process that utilizes extruder apparatus having at least one heated zone that is maintained at a temperature of from about 20° C. below the copolymer melting point to about 5° C. above the copolymer melting point, a metering pump and a heated block that are maintained at a temperature of no more than about 40° C. above the copolymer melting point, a spinneret that is maintained at a temperature of from about 40° C. to about 60° C. above the copolymer melting point, and an elongated heated sleeve extending between six and twenty inches from the spinneret that is maintained at a temperature of at least about 60° C. above the copolymer melting point.

Abstract: A method for making an absorbable microtube comprising the steps of a) extruding an absorbable polymer melt through a die to produce a molten extrudate; b) passing the molten extrudate vertically through an air gap ranging from about 0.1 to 0.5 inch as measured-from-the tip of the die to the surface of a liquid quenching medium to produce a quenched extrudate; and c) drawing the quenched extrudate to produce a drawn tube having an outer diameter of about 4 to about 12 mil; and an absorbable microtube that is made according to this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming bioabsorbable, multifilament yarn from Lactide-rich copolymers, including the steps of extruding and spinning a Lactide-rich copolymer to form a spun multifilament yarn, pre-tensioning the spun multifilament yarn to form a pre-tensioned yarn, heating the pre-tensioned yarn to form a pre-tensioned, preheated yarn, annealing and drawing the pre-tensioned, preheated yarn for a first time, annealing and drawing the yarn for a second time, cooling the twice-drawn yarn to a lower temperature, and taking-up the cooled multifilament yarn, to yarns prepared by the process and to medical devices prepared from such yarns.

Abstract: A PGA/PLA copolymer suture fiber having a fiber tenacity of between approximately 7.2 to 8.0 grams per denier and a fiber elongation between approximately 22% and 35% is produced by a process that utilizes extruder apparatus having at least one heated zone that is maintained at a temperature of from about 20° C. below the copolymer melting point to about 5° C. above the copolymer melting point, a metering pump and a heated block that are maintained at a temperature of no more than about 40° C. above the copolymer melting point, a spinneret that is maintained at a temperature of from about 40° C. to about 60° C. above the copolymer melting point, and an elongated heated sleeve extending between six and twenty inches from the spinneret that is maintained at a temperature of at least about 60° C. above the copolymer melting point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming bioabsorbable, multifilament yarn from Lactide-rich copolymers, including the steps of extruding and spinning a Lactide-rich copolymer to form a spun multifilament yarn, pre-tensioning the spun multifilament yarn to form a pre-tensioned yarn, heating the pre-tensioned yarn to form a pre-tensioned, preheated yarn, annealing and drawing the pre-tensioned, preheated yarn for a first time, annealing and drawing the yarn for a second time, cooling the twice-drawn yarn to a lower temperature, and taking-up the cooled multifilament yarn, to yarns prepared by the process and to medical devices prepared from such yarns.