Abstract: A method of making a biodegradable polymeric implant comprising the steps of aseptically mixing at least one monomer with at least one catalyst to form a polymerization mixture, injecting the polymerization mixture into a sterile mold, and polymerizing and/or cross-linking the polymerization mixture in the sterile mold to form a sterilized biodegradable polymeric implant. Additives may be included in the polymerization mixture as needed.

Abstract: Biodegradable terephthalate polymers are described comprising the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I: wherein R is a divalent organic moiety; R′ is an aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic residue; x is ≧1; and n is 0-5,000, wherein the biodegradable polymer is biocompatible before and upon biodegradation. Processes for preparing the polymers, compositions containing the polymers and biologically active substances, articles useful for implantation or injection into the body fabricated from the compositions, and methods for controllably releasing biologically active substances using the polymers, are also described.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymers are described comprising the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I or II: wherein X is --O-- or --NR'--, where R' is H or alkyl; L is a branched or straight chain aliphatic group having from 1-20 carbon atoms; M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are each independently (1) a branched or straight chain aliphatic group having from 1-20 carbon atoms; or (2) a branched or straight chain, oxy-, carboxy- or amino-aliphatic group having from 1-20 carbon atoms; Y is --O--, --S-- or --NR'--, where R' is H or alkyl; R is H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclic or heterocycloxy; the molar ratio of x:y is about 1; the molar ratio n:(x or y) is between about 200:1 and 1:200; and the molar ratio q:r is between about 1:99 and 99:1; wherein said biodegradable polymer is biocompatible before and upon biodegradat.

Abstract: A medical device is described comprising a biodegradable terephthalate copolymer comprising the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I below: ##STR1## wherein R is a divalent organic moiety; R' is an aliphatic, aromatic, or heterocyclic residue; x is .gtoreq.1; and n is 3-7,500, and where the biodegradable terephthalate copolymer is sufficiently pure to be biocompatible and is capable of forming biocompatible residues upon biodegradation. In addition, compositions containing the copolymers and biologically active substances, articles useful for implantation or injection into the body fabricated from the compositions, and methods for controllably releasing biologically active substances using the copolymers, are also described.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: Biodegradable polyamides, useful as absorbable sutures and as controlled release binder materials, are prepared by condensing 4,4'-spirobibutyrolactone with a primary diamine, optionally in the presence of a nylon salt, leading to homopolymers containing lactam structural units, or to random copolymers.

Abstract: Biodegradable polyamides, useful as absorable sutures and as controlled release binder materials, are prepared by condensing 4,4'-spirobibutyrolactone with a primary diamine, optionally in the presence of a nylon salt, leading to homopolymers containing lactam structural units, or to random copolymers.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A method for making an adhesive for use in joining soft living tissue including the steps of preparing a hydroxyl-terminated polyester by reacting a biodegradable monomer with a polyhydroxy polymerization initiator in the presence of an amount up to about 2.0 weight percent of a catalyst, and then preparing a diisocyanate-terminated prepolymer adhesive by reacting about 24 to 92 weight percent of the hydroxy-terminated polyester with about 8 to 76 weight percent excess aromatic diisocyante. The polyester and the diisocyanate are preferably dissolved in an organic solvent prior to the mixture thereof in a ratio of solids to solvent of about 60:40. The polyester is a polymer or copolymer of lactide, glycolide or .epsilon.-caprolactone. The initiator is ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, pentaerythritol or 1,1,1-tris (hydroxymethyl) ethane. The catalyst is stannous octoate, a zinc compound, an aliphatic tertiary amine, dibutyltin diacetate or 1,4-diazabicyclo [2,2,2] octane.