Abstract: The present invention relates at least in part to surgical devices which comprise a shape memory polymer material composition. Particularly, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a fixation device e.g. an anchor device e.g. a suture anchor which comprises a shape memory material. Included in the present invention are anchor devices e.g. suture anchors which are formed entirely of a shape memory polymer material. Embodiments of the present invention comprise hybrid suture anchors, particularly suture anchors which are formed from a shape memory polymer material and a non-shape memory material. Methods of securing an anchor in a bone or tissue are also included in the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container (FIBC) having a body made of flexible woven fabric, and integral handling devices, wherein the fabric is woven from opaque oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) strips having a density of from 500 to 1300 kg/m3 and a tensile strength of at least 250 MPa. Advantages of said FIBC include directly printability with the usual type of inks, giving excellent contrast and good adhesion, without pre-treatment like a corona- or flame-treatment. The FIBC based on the PET fabric also shows higher gloss; better UV resistance; better mechanical properties, like high tensile strength and creep resistance; favourable abrasion resistance; and higher temperature resistance than a conventional big bag based on polypropylene strips. The invention further relates to such a FIBC based on stress-whitened PET tapes obtained by a special drawing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making an opaque and glossy film from a thermoplastic polyester composition, comprising the steps of a) extruding the polyester composition through a slot die, and quenching to form a substantially amorphous film having a crystallinity of at most 5%; b) rapidly heating the amorphous film to a drawing temperature in the range from Tg to (Tg+50)° C. while applying a draw ratio in the range of from ?initiation to ?max. in longitudinal direction, and a drawing rate of at least 1 m/min to form an oriented film showing stress-whitening, wherein ?initiation is the draw ratio at which a transfer from a transparent product to a stress-whitened product occurs and ?max. is the draw ratio at which failure of the stress whitened film occurs; and c) heat-setting the oriented stress-whitened film; the thermoplastic polyester composition substantially consisting of at least one crystallisable polyester derived from at least one aliphatic diol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A process for production of an article from a woven fabric of melt spun and drawn fibers or tapes of oriented polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer is disclosed, comprising subjecting the woven fabric of melt spun and drawn fibers or tapes to elevated temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the polymer, characterised in that the draw ratio of said melt spun and drawn fibers or tapes is at least 7:1.