Abstract: The present invention includes methods for the inhibition of post-operative adhesion formation between tissue surfaces in a body cavity having been subjected to a surgical procedure, which methods involve administering Tranilast, or an analog thereof, directly to tissue surfaces in the body cavity in amounts and under conditions effective to inhibit formation of adhesions, and to delivery vehicles and compositions suitable for use for local, non-systemic administration of a drug to the body and directly to tissue within a body cavity having been subjected to a surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for the inhibition of post-operative adhesion formation between tissue surfaces in a body cavity having been subjected to a surgical procedure, which methods involve administering Tranilast, or an analog thereof, directly to tissue surfaces in the body cavity in amounts and under conditions effective to inhibit formation of adhesions, and to delivery vehicles and compositions suitable for use for local, non-systemic administration of a drug to the body and directly to tissue within a body cavity having been subjected to a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable rivet and pin fastener is formed as an elongated unit that may be used for anchoring, or for attachment of a fixation plate. The rivet has a head mechanically connected to two or more legs that extend generally distally from the head and may flex outwardly from a central rivet axis. The pin is integral with the rivet and oriented along the central axis by a connection such as a web or a plurality of braces, forming an integral, aligned, one-piece assembly that may, for example, be molded as a single piece. The connection breaks under force as the pin is driven into the rivet, so that the pin contacts internal surfaces of the legs and pushes the legs outward into frictional engagement with the surrounding bone. The one-piece assembly may be formed in a gated mold having a central pin with a relief passage that defines the braces between upper and lower portions of the rivet.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for treating and/or evaluating photodamage and/or photoaging of skin caused by exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The method employs a unique set of marker genes whose expression was newly found to be altered following exposure of skin to UV radiation. The invention provides an advantageous system of identifying and assessing substances that are capable of modulating, e.g., via attenuation, UV radiation induced alteration or change in the expression of at least one of the newly provided marker genes in skin relative to the gene expression level in skin not exposed to UV radiation. Also provided are compositions comprising materials that upon application to skin can modulate the gene expression of at least one gene of the marker gene set after exposure of skin to UV radiation, thereby affording protective and therapeutic effects and treatments for photodamage and photoaging. The potential benefit of, e.g.

Abstract: An absorbable biocompatible polymeric matrix is described. The matrix has a continuous phase that is preferably amorphous. The matrix also has a disperse phase of low melting biocompatible material that acts as scattering centers for light and melts at a temperature lower than the continuous phase of the matrix. This matrix is especially useful in a variety of medical devices. When this matrix is heated to about the melting temperature of the dispersed phase the matrix undergoes a visual change. This provides a visual cue to a surgeon using the medical devices as to when the device can be safely shaped or manipulated without imparting undue stress to the device. As the medical device cools below the temperature at which it may be safely deformed the matrix resumes its original appearance signalling that it may no longer be safely shaped or manipulated.

Abstract: An absorbable biocompatible polymeric matrix is described. The matrix has a continuous phase that is preferably amorphous. The matrix also has a disperse phase of low melting biocompatible material that acts as scattering centers for light and melts at a temperature lower than the continuous phase of the matrix. This matrix is especially useful in a variety of medical devices. When this matrix is heated to about the melting temperature of the dispersed phase the matrix undergoes a visual change. This provides a visual cue to a surgeon using the medical devices as to when the device can be safely shaped or manipulated without imparting undue stress to the device. As the medical device cools below the temperature at which it may be safely deformed the matrix resumes its original appearance signalling that it may no longer be safely shaped or manipulated.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable rivet and pin fastening device that may be used for attachment of a fixation plate to bone is described herein. The rivet having a head that is mechanically connected to two or more legs that extend generally distally from the head. The pin being radially compressible and less compliant than the legs of the rivet. The pin when inserted into the rivet will contact the internal surface of said legs to apply force on said legs in a direction perpendicular to the central axis to frictionally engage with the adjacent bone.

Abstract: Absorbable, segmented polymers of aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers glycolide, p-dioxanone and .epsilon.-caprolactone are described. The segmented polymers exhibit a broad range of properties, especially high strength, low modulus and fast in vivo absorption, useful in a variety of medical devices. The polymers of the present invention have such properties, making them useful in medical devices for plastic surgery indications.

Abstract: Absorbable, segmented copolymers of aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers lactide, and p-dioxanone are described. The segmented copolymers exhibit a broad range of properties, especially high strength and long elongations. This unique elastomeric behavior makes the copolymers of the present invention useful in a varity of medical device applications, especially adhesion prevention barriers and hemostatic devices.

Abstract: Absorbable/resorbable mixtures of aliphatic polyesters of poly(lactide), poly(glycolide), poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(p-dioxanone) and poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone) and calcium containing bone regenerating compounds such as powdered, non-fibrous calcium phosphates are described. The composites when used to manufacture medical devices exhibit improved absorption characteristics and other physical properties.

Abstract: Absorbable polymers and blends of acrylated poly(alkylene diglycolate)s and aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers such as lactide, glycolide, e-caprolactone, p-dioxanone, and trimethylene carbonate are described. The polymers and blends exhibit a broad range of properties, useful in a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: Absorbable, segmented copolymers of aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers lactide, and p-dioxanone are described. The segmented copolymers exhibit a broad range of properties, especially high strength and long elongations. This unique elastomeric behavior makes the copolymers of the present invention useful in a varity of medical device applications, especially adhesion prevention barriers and hemostatic devices.

Abstract: Absorbable binary and tertiary blends of homopolymers and copolymers of poly(lactide), poly(glycolide), poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone), and poly(p-dioxanone) are described. The blends when used to manufacture medical devices exhibit shape retention, dimensional stability and palpability without loss of the strength, stiffness and BSR found for poly(lactide) homopolyers and/or poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers.

Abstract: Absorbable polymers and blends of acrylated poly(alkylene diglycolate)s and aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers such as lactide, glycolide, e-caprolactone, p-dioxanone, and trimethylene carbonate are described. The polymers and blends exhibit a broad range of properties, useful in a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: Absorbable polymers and blends of poly(alkylene diglycolate)s and aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers such as lactide, glycolide, 68 -caprolactone, p-dioxanone, and trimethylene carbonate are described. The polymers and blends exhibit a broad range of properties, useful in a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: Absorbable/resorbable mixtures of aliphatic polyesters of poly(lactide), poly(glycolide), poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(p-dioxanone) and poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone) and calcium containing bone regenerating compounds such as powdered, non-fibrous calcium phosphates are described. The composites when used to manufacture medical devices exhibit improved absorption characteristics and other physical properties.

Abstract: Absorbable polymers and blends of poly(alkylene diglycolate)s and aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers such as lactide, glycolide, e-caprolactone, p-dioxanone, and trimethylene carbonate are described. The polymers and blends exhibit a broad range of properties, useful in a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: Absorbable biocompatible polymer blends useful to manufacture medical devices. The blends have a first major phase including polymers such as poly(lactide homopolymers and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers and combination thereof. The blends have a second minor phase include copolymers of poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone-co-p-dioxanone).

Abstract: Absorbable, segmented copolymers of aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers lactide, and p-dioxanone are described. The segmented copolymers exhibit a broad range of properties, especially high strength and long elongations. This unique elastomeric behavior makes the copolymers of the present invention useful in a variety of medical device applications, especially adhesion prevention barriers and hemostatic devices.