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 restore the tension to the predetermined tension level for at least 2 weeks in physiological conditions, or conditions simulating the physiological conditions.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable band system for securing a bone fracture, or an osteotomy, or a soft tissue on a bone. The bioabsorbable band system includes a needle system and a bioabsorbable band including a bioabsorbable locking member. The bioabsorbable band includes a length having an at least partially oriented structure. The bioabsorbable band further includes a locking mechanism with a locking member. Also a method for producing the bioabsorbable band.

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 restore the tension to the predetermined tension level for at least 2 weeks in physiological conditions, or conditions simulating the physiological conditions.

Abstract: A medical device for surgical applications including a body. The body includes bioabsorbable basic material and has a longitudinal axis. The body includes an inner region and a peripheral region transverse to the longitudinal axis so that the peripheral region surrounds the inner region. The inner region is made of bioabsorbable basic material and the peripheral region includes the bioabsorbable basic material. The peripheral region includes a bioabsorbable reinforcing structure in addition to the bioabsorbable basic material.

Abstract: A system to be used with an implanting tool having a tip part. The system has a longitudinal axis and includes a polymeric screw having a head and an adapter between the screw and the implanting tool. The adapter includes a first part that fits the tip part of the implanting tool.

Abstract: A surgical thread and a surgical device. The surgical thread includes at least two adjacent elongated elements that are connected to each other and include filament fibers such that a maximum cross-sectional diameter of the thread is substantially greater than the cross-sectional diameter of the thread in the direction perpendicular to the maximum diameter, and the elements are connected by a structure that is arranged to be broken at least at the ends of the elements such that the thread can be divided into single elements. The surgical device includes a needle and a surgical thread attached to the surgical needle.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable elongated member including a first end and a second end and an elongated part therebetween. The elongated part includes a front end, a back end and a target point in which the front end terminates and the back end begins. The bioabsorbable elongated member possesses a predetermined orientation. The orientation of the bioabsorbable elongated member is alterable so that a bulge is formed in the bioabsorbable elongated member by mechanical, thermal or thermomechanical straining of the elongated member at the target point. The bulge forms a local stopper of the bioabsorbable elongated member, or a part of a local stopper, or a bending point of the bioabsorbable elongated member. A method for forming a local stopper, a part of a local stopper, or a bending point in a bioabsorbable elongated member.

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 (2), a shaft (4) and a head (3). The periphery of the shaft (4) comprises ridges (6) 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: 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 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 invention relates to synthetic, bioabsorbable polymer materials and implants, like fibres, sutures, meshes and other tissue management, wound closure or tissue engineering devices, which contain: a) a bioabsorbable polymeric matrix; b) antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory agent particles or mixture thereof, dispersed in the matrix, and c) optionally an additive agent to facilitate device recognition and/or handling to facilitate the use and application of finalized product. In the matrix, cavities around the particles are induced by mechanical processing of the matrix phase. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a device (suture) that provides a sustained release of antibiotic agent over several days to several weeks for the prevention or treatment of infection. The sutures may be effectively implanted into or in the vicinity of: 1) infected tissue, 2) potentially infected tissue, or in tissues where infection, should it occur, leads to disastrous consequences.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable implant or its part consists of a structure having a varying characteristic in at least in one direction defining a gradient corresponding this characteristic. The structure comprises bioabsorbable polymer and another substance within or next to said bioabsorbable polymer. The structure is constituted of a wound or folded blank (1) having a direction of variation (L) of a characteristic (Ch) which is at least one of the following: concentration of the other substance, species of the other substance, type of the bioabsorbable polymer, or porosity (size of openings in the blank), said structure having a winding axis or fold lines substantially perpendicular to said direction of variation (L). This results in said varying characteristic in the structure in said at least one direction defining the gradient and traversing superposed layers formed of sections of the blank (1) that are successive in said direction of variation (L).

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: A multifunctional biodegradable composite has: a) bioabsorbable polymer matrix phase (M) b) bioabsorbable reinforcing element (R), and c) bioactive tissue/cell reaction modifying agent (TRMA) dispersed in said bioabsorbable matrix phase and selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory drugs and statins. Said biodegradable composite may be in a surgical implant capable of acting as a drug-delivery implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioabsorbable, polymeric mesh implant for the fixation of bone fragments and bridging of bone defects or gaps. The bioabsorbable, polymeric mesh includes a plurality of openings and connectors, where each opening is connected to another opening by a connector. In addition, the bioabsorbable polymeric mesh is deformable at room temperature without breaking. The present invention also include embodiments drawn to methods of using the bioabsorbable, polymeric mesh implant. In an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes applying the bioabsorbable, polymeric mesh implant to a damaged bone area, the damaged bone area, which is curved, concave, convex, angular, spherical, or any combination thereof. Another embodiment of the present invention, substitutes the bioabsorbable, polymeric mesh implant including a film, for the mesh.

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: A polymer stent is disclosed for treating vascular disorders. The stent is formed from a billet having regions with varying plastic strain imposed by drawing the regions through different sized dies at different speeds under different loads. The drawing orients the molecules of the polymer lengthwise along the stent. The stent is placed on a catheter and positioned within the vascular vessel being treated. The stent is expanded radially outwardly by a balloon on the catheter, expansion being facilitated by heat applied to the stent from the balloon. The polymer molecules are oriented circumferentially by the expansion and the mechanical properties of the stent are established. The billet has different compounds, such as medicaments and radiopaque markers distributed throughout the regions. The medicaments are released into the blood stream. The stent may be bio-stable or bio-absorbable.

Abstract: A fastener is provided for tissue fixation. The fastener includes first and second implantation members and a connecting member connecting the first and second implantation members. The implantation members may have protuberances on their surfaces. A method for using the fastener and a kit including the fastener and an installation tool is also provided.

Abstract: In the present invention, a bioabsorbable implant is described, which may be manufactured of bioabsorbable polymer, copolymer, polymer alloy or fiber reinforced and/or particle filled composite, and which may be pushed into a hole or drill canal made in bone, for fixing a soft tissue graft into the drill hole. The implant of the present invention includes an body having an outer surface which comprises at least one gripping element to lock the implant directly into the drill hole, and at least one recess for receiving soft tissue grafts.