Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of providing a containment compartment that is substantially free of an antimicrobial agent; positioning a suture within the containment compartment, said suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; placing the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package; and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the suture to the containment compartment, while retaining an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent on the suture, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment.

Abstract: A method for making an antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of positioning an antimicrobial agent source within a package comprising an inner surface, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; positioning a medical device within the package; and subjecting the package, the antimicrobial agent source and the medical device to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the medical device, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the medical device.

Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of providing a containment compartment that is substantially free of an antimicrobial agent; positioning a suture within the containment compartment, said suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; placing the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package; and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the suture to the containment compartment, while retaining an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent on the suture, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment.

Abstract: A packaged medical device produced according to the steps of positioning an antimicrobial agent source within a package comprising an inner surface, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; positioning a medical device within the package; and subjecting the package, the antimicrobial agent source and the medical device to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the medical device, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the medical device.

Abstract: A process for improving the knot tensile strength of a braided suture while maintaining its first throw holding characteristics includes the steps of applying a biocompatible co-polymer to the braided suture and then heating the suture to a temperature above the flow point of the co-polymer. An outer coat is applied to the suture after the heating step. The suture may be scoured with a solvent before the co-polymer is applied or the co-polymer may be applied simultaneously with the scouring step. The co-polymer preferably comprises one or more lactones, more preferably, ?-caprolactone and glycolide. This process may be used with bioabsorbable sutures, such as those comprising filaments made of polyglycolide and polylactide.

Abstract: A device for scouring a coating from a fibrous material includes a tank for immersing a plurality of fibers in scouring solvent therein. The device also includes a bubbling device positioned therein and having a chamber formed between a base plate and a cover plate with a plurality of holes. The plurality of fibers is mounted within the tank above the cover plate and holes of the bubbling device, so that gas bubbles produced thereby move through the scouring solvent and through the plurality of fibers. The holes are arranged in a pattern on the cover plate that corresponds to a shape assumed by the plurality of fibers when mounted within the tank. A process for scouring a coating from a fibrous material is also disclosed and involves immersing a plurality of fibers in a scouring solvent and producing a plurality of gas bubbles that move through the solvent and the plurality of fibers.

Abstract: An antimicrobial suture assembly comprising a containment compartment comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof, in an amount sufficient to substantially inhibit bacterial colonization on said containment compartment; and a suture positioned within the containment compartment, the suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof, and at least one active agent selected from the group consisting of a biocide, a disinfectant, an antiseptic, an antibiotic, an antimicrobial peptide, a lytic bacteriophage, a surfactant; an adhesion blocker; an oligonucleotide, an efflux pump inhibitors; a photosensitive dye, an immune modulator and a chelator.

Abstract: An antimicrobial suture assembly comprising a containment compartment comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof, in an amount sufficient to substantially inhibit bacterial colonization on said containment compartment; and a suture positioned within the containment compartment, the suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof, in an amount sufficient to substantially inhibit bacterial colonization on the suture; and a method for making.

Abstract: A braided suture having antimicrobial properties comprising an elongate braided structure formed from a plurality of polymeric filaments, said filaments being formed from a polymeric material that is absorbable under physiological conditions; and a coating material disposed on said elongate braided structure, said coating comprising a film forming absorbable polymer, a substantially water-insoluble salt of a fatty acid and an effective amount of an antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, halogen-o-hydroxydiphenyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers and combinations thereof, said effective amount being sufficient to substantially inhibit microbial growth on or adjacent said suture when said suture is implanted in a patient's body.

Abstract: A process for improving the knot tensile strength of a braided suture while maintaining its first throw holding characteristics includes the steps of applying a biocompatible co-polymer to the braided suture and then heating the suture to a temperature above the flow point of the co-polymer. An outer coat is applied to the suture after the heating step. The suture may be scoured with a solvent before the co-polymer is applied or the co-polymer may be applied simultaneously with the scouring step. The co-polymer preferably comprises one or more lactones, more preferably, &egr;-caprolactone and glycolide. This process may be used with bioabsorbable sutures, such as those comprising filaments made of polyglycolide and polylactide.

Abstract: A device for scouring a coating from a fibrous material includes a tank for immersing a plurality of fibers in scouring solvent therein. The device also includes a bubbling device positioned therein and having a chamber formed between a base plate and a cover plate with a plurality of holes. The plurality of fibers is mounted within the tank above the cover plate and holes of the bubbling device, so that gas bubbles produced thereby move through the scouring solvent and through the plurality of fibers. The holes are arranged in a pattern on the cover plate that corresponds to a shape assumed by the plurality of fibers when mounted within the tank. A process for scouring a coating from a fibrous material is also disclosed and involves immersing a plurality of fibers in a scouring solvent and producing a plurality of gas bubbles that move through the solvent and the plurality of fibers.

Abstract: We have discovered a surgical filament suitable for use as a suture or ligature that comprises a multifilament core having a plurality of filaments that are oriented having an external surface and internal interstices; and an outer coating that bonded to the external surface of the core but does not penetrate into the internal interstices of the core and a process for making these sutures.