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.

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: This invention relates to bioabsorbable materials and implants used to prevent and treat infection and promote bone growth. More specifically, this invention relates to synthetic bioabsorbable drug delivery materials and implants comprising: (a) a synthetic bioabsorbable polymeric matrix; (b) an antibiotic phase dispersed into said polymeric matrix; and (c) antibacterial, bioabsorbable, bioactive glass, dispersed into said polymeric matrix for the promotion of bone growth.

Abstract: The invention relates to bioactive, biocompatible, bioabsorbable surgical composites and devices, such as plates, meshes, membranes, pins, screws, tacks, bolts, intramedullary nails, suture anchors, staples, bone plugs or other devices which are applied in bone-to-bone, soft tissue-to-bone or soft tissue-to-soft tissue fixation or in guided tissue regeneration or in fixation of bioabsorbable and/or biostable implants in, and/or on, bone or soft tissue, which composites and devices are fabricated of bioabsorbable segmented block copolymer of polyethylene glycol and polybutylene terephtalate that contains bioactive ceramic particles or reinforcement fibers and optional porosity.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioabsorbable materials and implants used to prevent and treat infection and promote bone growth. More specifically, this invention relates to synthetic bioabsorbable drug delivery materials and implants comprising: (a) a synthetic bioabsorbable polymeric matrix; (b) an antibiotic phase dispersed into said polymeric matrix; and (c) antibacterial, bioabsorbable, bioactive glass, dispersed into said polymeric matrix for the promotion of bone growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical fastener made of a bioabsorbable elastomeric material for the repair of tissues. The fastener may be elongated, thereby creating a compression force across or within the tissue being repaired. The present invention also includes embodiments drawn to methods of using the surgical fastener, such as applying the surgical fastener to a ruptured meniscus or using the surgical fastener to attach a fibrous implant or tissue transplant on or in a living tissue.