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: 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.

Abstract: A container for housing related articles and materials, such as a coil of solder wire, soldering flux and a flux application brush, facilitates merchandising, use and storage of the articles and materials therein. The container comprises a base member and a removable outer cover. The base member comprises a flat circular base plate having a hollow cylindrical projection on one side thereof on which the coil is placed and within the hollow recess thereof flux is stored. In one embodiment, the flux is contained in the hollow projection itself and an inner removable cap is provided to close off the open end of the projection. In another embodiment the flux is contained in a small capped jar which is disposed in the recess. The projection includes an open-ended storage compartment extending transversely thereinto in which the brush is stored. In the said one embodiment, the storage compartment is separated by a wall from the recess containing the flux.