Abstract: The present invention relates to an association of poly (N-acryloyl glycinamide) with at least one active principle and/or at least one product which is visible in medical imaging, in a physiologically acceptable aqueous medium.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a polymer-based stent assembly comprising an inflatable balloon catheter and a polymer-based stent resistant to relaxation-related negative recoil are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an association of poly (N-acryloyl glycinamide) with at least one active principle and/or at least one product which is visible in medical imaging, in a physiologically acceptable aqueous medium.

Abstract: A system for controlled release of an active principle, includes at least (a) a degradable polymer matrix which produces acid compounds and (b) at least one acid-sensitive complex of an active principle having at least one electrostatic charge and a complexing polyelectrolyte partner of opposite charge which complexes with the active principle. A method for preparation of such a system is described. The release of the active principle (7P) is prolonged over 18 days (ternary system PMLA/7P/PLAGA) in comparison to binary systems (7P/PLAGA) and (PMLA/7P).

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for injectable cement, comprising a mineral sold phase, a separate liquid phase and, optionally, microparticles of a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. The mineral solid phase comprises a mixture of powders with the molar composition: (CP)6 (CaO)y (SrCO3)z, [CP being CaHPO42H2O, CaHPO4, Ca1-xSrxHPO4, an equimolar mixture of bis(Ca(H2PO4)2, H2O and CaO, or a mixture of two or three of said compounds] and y+z=4?1. The liquid phase comprises pure apyrogeneic water or a saline aqueous solution with pH 4 to 9. The ratio L/P [volume of liquid phase/mass of solid mineral phase] is at least 0.4 ml/g. The above is of application as bone replacement.

Abstract: A system for controlled release of an active principle, includes at least (a) a degradable polymer matrix which produces acid compounds and (b) at least one acid-sensitive complex of an active principle having at least one electrostatic charge and a complexing polyelectrolyte partner of opposite charge which complexes with the active principle. A method for preparation of such a system is described. The release of the active principle (7P) is prolonged over 18 days (ternary system PMLA/7P/PLAGA) in comparison to binary systems (7P/PLAGA) and (PMLA/7P).

Abstract: The invention concerns a product comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof, wherein the hyaluronic acid has been partially or fully linked or crosslinked with a polymer of an alpha hydroxy acid. The invention also concerns manufacture of the product, uses of the product of the invention in the field of biodegradable plastic materials for the preparation of sanitary and surgical articles, in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields; including the various articles made with the same in such fields.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a polymer-based stent assembly comprising an inflatable balloon catheter and a polymer-based stent resistant to relaxation-related negative recoil are provided.

Abstract: Methods of crimping polymeric stents that simultaneously apply a radial force to the stent to reduce the diameter of the stent and a longitudinal force to elongate of the stent. According to one such method, a stent is inserted into an elastic tube having an inner surface that defines a passage. The tube is pulled to cause stretching of the tube. When the tube is stretched, the inner surface of the tube engages an outer surface of the stent and applies simultaneous longitudinal and radial forces to the outer surface of the stent. The simultaneously applied longitudinal and radial forces simultaneously reduce a radial extent of the stent and increase a longitudinal extent of the stent.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a polymer-based stent assembly comprising an inflatable balloon catheter and a polymer-based stent resistant to relaxation-related negative recoil are provided.

Abstract: The invention mainly concerns a biocompatible and biodegradable porous matrix, characterized in that it is made of a three-block sequenced copolymer of formula (I): X G Y (I), wherein: G is a non-hydroxylated hydrophilic linear block, and X and Y represent respectively a hydrophobic linear polyester block. The invention further concerns the use of said matrix for coating tissue reconstruction after loss of substance or bioactive dressings.

Abstract: The invention concerns a product comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof, wherein the hyaluronic acid has been partially or fully linked or crosslinked with a polymer of an alpha hydroxy acid. The invention also concerns manufacture of the product, uses of the product of the invention in the field of biodegradable plastic materials for the preparation of sanitary and surgical articles, in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields; including the various articles made with the same in such fields.

Abstract: Methods of crimping polymeric stents that simultaneously apply a radial force to the stent to reduce the diameter of the stent and a longitudinal force to elongate of the stent. According to one such method, a stent is inserted into an elastic tube having an inner surface that defines a passage. The tube is pulled to cause stretching of the tube. When the tube is stretched, the inner surface of the tube engages an outer surface of the stent and applies simultaneous longitudinal and radial forces to the outer surface of the stent. The simultaneously applied longitudinal and radial forces simultaneously reduce a radial extent of the stent and increase a longitudinal extent of the stent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for injectable cement, comprising a mineral sold phase, a separate liquid phase and, optionally, microparticles of a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. The mineral solid phase comprises a mixture of powders with the molar composition: (CP)6 (CaO)y (SrCO3)z, [CP being CaHPO42H2O, CaHPO4, Ca1-xSrxHPO4, an equimolar mixture of bis(Ca(H2PO4)2, H2O and CaO, or a mixture of two or three of said compounds] and y+z=4?1. The liquid phase comprises pure apyrogeneic water or a saline aqueous solution with pH 4 to 9. The ratio L/P [volume of liquid phase/mass of solid mineral phase] is at least 0.4 ml/g. The above is of application as bone replacement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an amphiphilic heparin derivative formed from at least one type of partially N-desulfated heparin and at least one type of bile acid comprising one or several bile acid molecules grafted on a heparin molecule by an amide bond formed between the terminal carboxylic acid function of a bile acid and a primary heparin amine function which is initially present in the heparin or resulting from the N-desulfation. The inventive derivative is characterized in that the number of grafted bile acid molecules per 100 heparin disaccharide units ranges from 15 to 80 approximately.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a polymer-based stent assembly comprising an inflatable balloon catheter and a polymer-based stent resistant to relaxation-related negative recoil are provided.

Abstract: A soft hydrogel containing a triblock copolymer and water is disclosed. The copolymer has formula (I): X-G-Y, wherein G is a non-hydroxylated hydrophilic linear polymer block containing p repetitive units, where p is a number from 10 to 150, each of X and Y is a polyester block containing m and n repetitive units, respectively, and the ratio (m+n)/p is high enough for said copolymer to be water-insoluble, said ratio (m+n)/p being selected in such a way that adding water to a solution of the copolymer in a water-miscible organic solvent leads to the formation of a soft hydrogel capable of retaining an amount of water at least as great as the weight of said copolymer. Said hydrogel is suitable for retaining and gradually releasing hydrophobic substance and/or hydrophilic macromolecules, including drugs.

Abstract: The invention concerns monomers with dilactonic cycle and the corresponding polymers, their preparation, and materials containing these polymers. The monomers are of formula (IIIa) ##STR1## in which R is the residue of an acid derived from an ose such as glyconic, gylcuronic or glycaric acid and X represents in particular a methylene or ethylene group optionally substituted by at least an alkyl, allyl, aryl or aralkyl. The corresponding polymers are in the form of degradable non-toxic products and are used for example for packaging (films) or in medicine (implants).

Abstract: Bioresorbable microspheres and a process for making microspheres are provided. The microspheres are made of poly(hydroxy acid) having a bimodal distribution; at least one poly(hydroxy acid) having molecular mass of at least 20,000 and at least one poly(hydroxy acid) having a molecular mass of less than 5,000. The microspheres may contain an active substance for gradual release into a biosystem.

Abstract: Implantable poly(lactic acid)-based pharmaceutical composition which comprises at least one water soluble antibiotic in particle form with controlled dimensions, less than 100 .mu.m uniformly dispersed in an amorphous poly(lactic acid) matrix, said composition being in ground powder or thin film form. Application especially in initiating local internal antibiotic therapy by the gradual release of the antibiotic substance.