Abstract: A method for joining and holding closed a wound in bodily tissue, fastening junctions of wounds, tying off wounds, joining a foreign element to tissue, and altering the position of tissue using a barbed suture including sharp pointed ends. Each end of the suture includes barbs on that permit movement in an opposing direction to the barbs on the other end of the suture. This two-way barbed suture is used by the method of the present invention in applications including abdominal surgeries such as a Nissen fundoplication, laparoscopic uses such as stabilizing a bowel structure and performing a closure of a cystostomy, liver to bowel anastomosis, closure of an orifice of a Zenker's Diverticulum, endoscopic uses such as closure of ulcerative lesions or and post-procedural tissue defects, bladder wound closure, valve replacement surgery, device attachment, cosmetic surgery, and blood vessel wound closure.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for dispensing a synthetic or semi-synthetic polymerizable or cross-linkable adhesive monomer material includes a pipette-shaped applicator, and a synthetic or semi-synthetic adhesive monomer material sealed in the pipette-shaped applicator prior to dispensing the material.

Abstract: A method is provided for joining and holding closed a wound in bodily tissue using a barbed suture including sharp pointed ends. The pointed end of the suture is inserted on a first side of the wound and pushed through the faces of the wound to an exit point on the second side of the wound that is longitudinally spaced in a first direction from the insertion point in the first side of the wound. The first end of the suture is pulled out of the tissue for drawing the first portion of the suture through the tissue while bringing the two sides of the wound together to a closed position along the first portion of the suture in the tissue. The second pointed end of the suture is inserted into the tissue at one side of the wound and pushed through the faces of the wound to an exit point on the other side of the wound longitudinally spaced in a second direction from the point of insertion of the second end of the suture at the one side of the wound.

Abstract: A drug carrier, and methods of making and using the same. The drug carrier includes a scaffold including a plurality of layers and a fiber system interconnecting the plurality of layers, wherein the layers define internal and superficial positions for the scaffold; and a drug releasably engaged with the scaffold according to a controlled release profile, wherein the drug is releasably engaged at at least one of the internal or superficial positions. Optionally, the scaffold is a three-dimensional fiber scaffold including at least three systems of fibers, wherein two of the three fiber systems define the plurality of layers, wherein one of the at least three fiber systems interconnects the plurality of layers, and wherein the three dimensions of the scaffold define internal and superficial positions within the scaffold. The drug carrier design is versatile, such that drug release profiles can be customized for a given application.

Abstract: An applicator tip for dispensing a polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material which is porous, absorbent or adsorbent and includes a polymerization or cross-linking initiator. The initiator initiates polymerization or cross-linking when the polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material is dispensed through the applicator tip. The polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material may be applied to a variety of substrates.

Abstract: An applicator tip for dispensing a polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material which is porous, absorbent or adsorbent and includes a polymerization or cross-linking initiator. The initiator initiates polymerization or cross-linking when the polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material is dispensed through the applicator tip. The polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material may be applied to a variety of substrates.

Abstract: The pH-modified monomer and polymer compositions are useful as biomedical and surgical adhesives, sealants, implants and bioactive agent release carriers or matrices. They comprise a monomer or polymer; and an effective amount of an acidic or basic pH modifier effective to modify the pH of an immediate in vivo environment of the composition to a pH range at which the polymer biodegrades at a different rate than at physiologic pH. The invention also relates to in vivo applications in which surfaces are joined or treated with such pH-modified biocompatible compositions.

Abstract: A method of joining together in vivo living tissue surfaces includes (a) holding together at least two tissue surfaces to form abutted tissue surfaces, (b) applying across the abutted tissue surfaces an excessive amount of an adhesive composition comprising at least one monomer that forms a medically acceptable polymer with an applicator having a porous applicator tip; and (c) maintaining the tissue surfaces in contact in vivo until the composition polymerizes to form a thick film of polymerized composition on the abutted tissue surface.

Abstract: The pH-modified monomer and polymer compositions are useful as biomedical and surgical adhesives, sealants, implants and bioactive agent release carriers or matrices. They comprise a monomer or polymer; and an effective amount of an acidic or basic pH modifier effective to modify the pH of an immediate in vivo environment of the composition to a pH range at which the polymer biodegrades at a different rate than at physiologic pH. The invention also relates to in vivo applications in which surfaces are joined or treated with such pH-modified biocompatible compositions.

Abstract: An applicator tip for dispensing a polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material which is porous, absorbent or adsorbent and includes a polymerization or cross-linking initiator. The initiator initiates polymerization or cross-linking when the polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material is dispensed through the applicator tip. The polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material may be applied to a variety of substrates.

Abstract: A biocompatible monomer composition includes at least one monomer, which forms a medically acceptable polymer, and an effective amount of at least one heat dissipating agent sufficient to reduce exothermic polymerization temperature increase of the composition. The heat dissipating agent enhances patient comfort and prevents necrosis of living tissue normally encountered with such medical adhesives.

Abstract: A biocompatible monomer composition includes: (A) at least one monomer, which forms a medically acceptable polymer; (B) at least one plasticizing agent present in the composition in an amount of from 0.5 wt. % to 15 wt. % of the composition; and (C) at least one acidic stabilizing agent having a pK.sub.a ionization constant of from about 1 to about 7. The composition can be applied to a variety of materials and is particularly suitable as in vivo tissue adhesive. A method of joining together in vivo two surfaces, e.g.

Abstract: An applicator tip for dispensing a polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material which is porous, absorbent or adsorbent and includes a polymerization or cross-linking initiator. The initiator initiates polymerization or cross-linking when the polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material is dispensed through the applicator tip. The polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material may be applied to a variety of substrates.

Abstract: Hemostatic procedures for sealing punctures and incisions in blood vessels and internal organs involve applying to a puncture or incision surface a biocompatible adhesive composition.

Abstract: A biocompatible monomer composition contains (A) at least one monomer of the formula:CHR.dbd.CXYwherein X and Y are each strong electron withdrawing groups, and R is H or, provided that X and Y are both cyano groups, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; and (B) an effective amount of at least one biocompatible agent effective to reduce active formaldehyde concentration levels, preferably a formaldehyde scavenger compound. The monomer is preferably an alpha-cyanoacrylate. The formaldehyde scavenger compound may be in microencapsulated or non-microencapsulated form. The composition can be applied to a variety of materials and is particularly suitable as in vivo tissue adhesive. A method of joining together in vivo two surfaces, e.g.

Abstract: A biocompatible monomer composition contains (A) at least one monomer of the formula:CHR.dbd.CXYwherein X and Y are each strong electron withdrawing groups, and R is H or, provided that X and Y are both cyano groups, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; and (B) an effective amount of at least one biocompatible agent effective to reduce active formaldehyde concentration levels, preferably a formaldehyde scavenger compound. The monomer is preferably an alpha-cyanoacrylate. The formaldehyde scavenger compound may be in microencapsulated or non-microencapsulated form. The composition can be applied to a variety of materials and is particularly suitable as in vivo tissue adhesive. A method of joining together in vivo two surfaces, e.g.

Abstract: A biocompatible monomer composition contains (A) at least one monomer of the formula:CHR.dbd.CXYwherein X and Y are each strong electron withdrawing groups, and R is H or, provided that X and Y are both cyano groups, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; and (B) an effective amount of at least one biocompatible agent effective to reduce active formaldehyde concentration levels, preferably a formaldehyde scavenger compound. The monomer is preferably an alpha-cyanoacrylate. The formaldehyde scavenger compound may be in microencapsulated or non-microencapsulated form. The composition can be applied to a variety of materials and is particularly suitable as in vivo tissue adhesive. A method of joining together in vivo two surfaces, e.g.

Abstract: A biocompatible monomer composition contains (A) at least one monomer of the formula:CHR.dbd.CXYwherein X and Y are each strong electron withdrawing groups, and R is H or, provided that X and Y are both cyano groups, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; and (B) an effective amount of at least one biocompatible agent effective to reduce active formaldehyde concentration levels, preferably a formaldehyde scavenger compound. The monomer is preferably an alpha-cyanoacrylate. The formaldehyde scavenger compound may be in microencapsulated or non-microencapsulated form. The composition can be applied to a variety of materials and is particularly suitable as in vivo tissue adhesive. A method of joining together in vivo two surfaces, e.g.

Abstract: A biocompatible monomer composition contains (A) at least one monomer of the formula:CHR.dbd.CXYwherein X and Y are each strong electron withdrawing groups, and R is H or, provided that X and Y are both cyano groups, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; and (B) an effective amount of at least one biocompatible agent effective to reduce active formaldehyde concentration levels, preferably a formaldehyde scavenger compound. The monomer is preferably an alpha-cyanoacrylate. The formaldehyde scavenger compound may be in microencapsulated or non-microencapsulated form. The composition can be applied to a variety of materials and is particularly suitable as in vivo tissue adhesive. A method of joining together in vivo two surfaces, e.g.