Abstract: A bioabsorbable surgical osteosynthesis plate operable to be secured by at least one fastener through at least one fastener opening formed in the plate to a bone. The plate includes a flat section having first and second surfaces defining a main plane of the plate. The plate includes a polymer material that is oriented multiaxially and is substantially rigid and substantially deformable at a first thermochemical state. In the multiaxially oriented structure of the plate the polymer material is arranged according to at least three different orientation axes along the main plane of the plate as a result of solid state drawing of the plate. The polymer material of the plate has isotropic mechanical tear properties in different directions along the main plane of the plate.

Abstract: A biodegradable composite material or device including at least one biodegradable polymer matrix material and at least one filler component. The material or device has an initial shape and at least one evolved shape. The evolved shape is different from the initial shape. The initial shape is adapted to change towards the evolved shape. The filler component is adapted to accelerate and/or amplify the transformation from the initial shape towards the evolved shape when the external stimulus for transformation is given by physiological conditions. Also a method to control the shape transformation rate of a composite material or device.

Abstract: A biodegradable medical device including at least one biodegradable material and having an initial shape and at least one evolved shape. The evolved shape is different from the initial shape. The initial shape is adapted to change towards the evolved shape due to an external stimulus. The medical device has a tension loaded to a predetermined tension level. The medical device is adapted to resore the tension to the predetermined tension level for at least 2 weeks in physiological conditions, or conditions simulating the physiological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioabsorbable osteosynthesis fixation device for the fixation of bone fractures or osteotomies. The fixation device comprises a tip, a shaft and a head. The periphery of the shaft comprises ridges which extend in a direction which forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the angle being between ?45° and 45°. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the bioabsorbable osteosynthesis fixation device.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable surgical osteosynthesis plate operable to be secured by at least one fastener through at least one fastener opening formed in the plate to a bone. The plate includes a flat section having first and second surfaces defining a main plane of the plate. The plate includes a polymer material that is oriented multiaxially and is substantially rigid and substantially deformable at a first thermochemical state. In the multiaxially oriented structure of the plate the polymer material is arranged according to at least three different orientation axes along the main plane of the plate as a result of solid state drawing of the plate. The polymer material of the plate has isotropic mechanical tear properties in different directions along the main plane of the plate.

Abstract: A biodegradable composite material or device including at least one biodegradable polymer matrix material and at least one filler component. The material or device has an initial shape and at least one evolved shape. The evolved shape is different from the initial shape. The initial shape is adapted to change towards the evolved shape. The filler component is adapted to accelerate and/or amplify the transformation from the initial shape towards the evolved shape when the external stimulus for transformation is given by physiological conditions. Also a method to control the shape transformation rate of a composite material or device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioabsorbable surgical osteosynthesis plate, operable to be secured by at least one fastener through at least one fastener opening formed in the plate to a bone. The osteosynthesis plate has first and second surfaces, and it is formed to one piece from a bioabsorbable polymer material that is oriented multiaxially and is substantially rigid and substantially deformable at a first thermochemical state. The plate comprises an oblique (diagonal) orientation gradient in relation to the direction of a reference axis of the plate.

Abstract: Porous bioabsorbable, bioactive and load-bearing composite medical device structure includes a plurality of regular textile planar layers (1a, 1b . . . ) formed of continuous bioabsorbable polymer matrix and bioceramic fibers acting as reinforcements, both included in continuous fibrous elements (3) forming the textile layers. The layers are placed on top of each other to form a structure having two dimensions (x, y) at right angles to each other according to the two dimensions of the textile layer and a third dimension (z) perpendicular to them and resulting from the piling of the layers. A plurality of passages extend through the layers as a result of the openings (2) defined by portions of the continuous fibrous elements (3) extending substantially in the direction of the plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates a system to be used with an implanting tool having a tip part. The system has a longitudinal axis and comprises a polymeric screw (31) having a head (11) and an adapter between the screw (31) and the implanting tool. The adapter comprises a first part (32) which fits the tip part of the implanting tool. The first part comprises a first element and the system comprises a second element. The first element and the second element are connected to each other with a torque limiting junction having a first maximum torque when the screw is screwed in and a second maximum torque when the screw is screwed off. The shape of the first element and the second element is such that the second maximum torque of the torque limiting junction is greater than the first maximum torque, thus allowing the removal of the polymeric screw (31) from its position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioabsorbable and bioactive composite material for surgical musculoskeletal applications comprising a bioabsorbable polymeric matrix material which is reinforced with bioabsorbable polymeric fibers and bioabsorbable ceramic fibers. The surgical bioabsorbable polymeric matrix material is reinforced with the bioabsorbable polymeric fibers and the bioabsorbable ceramic fibers from which at least a portion is longer than 150 ?m. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a bioabsorbable and bioactive composite material.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable band system is provided. The system comprises a bioabsorbable elongated band and two locking member systems. This band system may be used to heal bone fractures or osteotomies.

Abstract: Surgical osteosynthesis composite material which has three components: biodegradable polymer reinforcement, bioceramic or bioglass filler reinforcement and biodegradable polymer matrix. This invention relates to biodegradable materials used for bone fracture fixation devices and methods of their manufacture. Unlike other known materials used prior to this application, the composites of this invention have two different reinforcing phases and one matrix phase. One reinforcing element is referred as the polymeric reinforcing element and the other as the ceramic reinforcing element.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the drug release rate from a composite material. The composite material includes a synthetic, bioabsorbable polymer matrix and a drug particle phase dispersed therein. The release rate of the drug from the polymer matrix is enhanced by orienting the composite material. The drug release rate of the oriented composite material is greater than the drug release rate from an otherwise comparable non-oriented composite material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical fastener or device (implant) formed in the shape of an arrow comprising a shaft with a proximal (first) portion having protrusions and a blunt end and a distal (second) portion having protrusions and a pointed end, the protrusions of the proximal and distal portions configured to lock the implant in a position inside a soft and/or tough tissue according to the use of the implant. The implant may be manufactured of a polymer or a polymeric compound which is substantially (bio)absorbable in tissue conditions and contains oriented reinforcing structure or the like of a polymer or polymeric compound or ceramic bioglass compound. The surgical implant of the invention is particularly but not solely intended to be used in repair surgery of traumas of soft and/or tough tissues containing fibrous structures, such as knee meniscal tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to body tissue fixation systems, including body tissue fixation hardware comprising biocompatible, bioabsorbable (resorbable) thermoplastic plates, and methods of using those systems and hardware.

Abstract: A device for inserting a stent in a body cavity, particularly useful for inserting a stent into a human male urethra to treat prostatic hyperplasia, whereby such device has an elongated member for removably receiving a stent and means capable of protruding from the member to either locate an obstruction, such as the sphincter muscle, in the body cavity or to prevent the stent from sliding off of the member, or both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical fastener or device (implant) formed in the shape of an arrow comprising a shaft with a proximal (first) portion having a blunt end and tapered form, such that the proximal portion is broad at its blunt end and tapers in the direction of a distal (second) portion of the shaft, the distal portion having protrusions and a pointed end, wherein the tapered form of the proximal portion and the protrusions of the distal portion are configured to lock the implant in a position inside a soft and/or tough tissue according to the use of the implant. The implant may be manufactured of a polymer or a polymeric compound which is substantially (bio)absorbable (resorable) after implantation in tissue and contains an oriented reinforcing structure or the like of a polymer or polymeric compound or ceramic bioactive glass compound.

Abstract: A surgical tissue fixation system is described, including: (1) a bioabsorbable tissue fixation plate having optionally a plurality of through-holes arranged in alternating relation along the plate; (2) bioabsorbable fasteners adapted for insertion into the through-holes to secure the plate to underlying bodily tissue or bone; and (3) an installation instrument which triggers (strikes or shoots) fasteners one after one, in rapid succession, into the through-holes made through the plate and into the underlying bodily tissue or bone, which also optionally includes drillholes.

Abstract: A surgical implant comprising biodegradable polymer interspersed with ceramic particulate that is visible to radioscopy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a material that degrades after implantation into a patient's tissue, and resorbs into the patient's body, which material is manufactured of polymer, copolymer or polymer alloy. The material has a non-crystalline, i.e., amorphous structure and is molecularly oriented and reinforced by mechanical deformation. Further, the material can be formed into surgical devices, such as screws and pins, for implantation into a patient.