Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing a braided suture having an improved knot strength comprising heating a braided suture coated with a low molecular weight biocompatible polymer to a temperature sufficient to melt the low molecular weight biocompatible polymer for a time sufficient to allow the low molecular polymer to be redistributed into the interstices of the braided suture thereby providing a coated braided suture with an improved knot tensile strength. Also disclosed is the coated braided suture having a low molecular weight polymer optimally dispersed throughout the braided suture's cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of preventing adhesion formation between tissues in an animal by placing a sterile polyoxaester adhesion prevention barrier between the tissues of the animal to prevent an adhesion from forming.

Abstract: The present invention describes a crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaamide polymer and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as catheters, molded devices, and the like. The crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaamide of the present invention are formed by crosslinking an aliphatic polyoxaamide having a first divalent repeating unit of formula I: [X—C(O)—C(R1)(R2)—O—(R3)—O—C(R1)(R2)—C(O)—]  I and a second repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of: [—Y—R17—]T,  II [—O—R5—C(O)—]B,  III and ([—O—R9—C(O)]P—O—)LG  XI and combinations thereof, wherein X and Y are selected from the group consisting of —O— and —N(R)—, provided both X and Y are not both —O— and may be blended with a second polymer that is preferably biocompatable.

Abstract: The present invention describes a polyoxaester copolymer and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, drug matrices, adhesives, sealants and the like. The invention also contemplates a process for producing these polyesters. The polyoxaester copolymers of the present invention are formed from a first divalent repeating unit of formula IA: [—O—C(O)—R30—C(O)—]  IA a second divalent repeating unit of the formula IB: [O—C(O)—C(R1)(R2)—O—R3—O—C(R′1)(R′2)—C(O)—]  IB and a third repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of: [—O—R4—]A,  II [—O—R5—C(O)—]B,  III ([—O—R5—C(O)]P—O—)LG  XI and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention describes a polyoxaester copolymer and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, drug matrices, adhesives, sealants and the like. The invention also contemplates a process for producing these polyesters. The polyoxaester copolymers of the present invention are formed from a first divalent repeating unit of formula IA:[--O--C(O)--R.sub.30 --C(O)--] IAa second divalent repeating unit of the formula IB:[O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--R.sub.3 --O--C(R'.sub.1)(R'.sub.2)--C(O)--] IBand a third repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:[--O--R.sub.4 --].sub.A, II[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, III([--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof. These aliphatic polyoxaesters may be blended with other polymers that are preferably biocompatable.

Abstract: Medical devices or components for medical devices formed from bioabsorbable elastomers comprising a segmented copolymer are disclosed. The segmented copolymer is a copolymer of from about 30 to about 40 mole percent of lactide and the balance being substantially p-dioxanone. The segmented copolymers surprisingly exhibit elastomeric properties, and the copolymers are bioabsorbable. The combination of physical and biological properties of these elastomeric copolymers are particularly well suited for numerous medical and surgical applications.

Abstract: The present invention describes a polyoxaester copolymers containing amines and/or amido groups and blends thereof with other polymers that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The polyoxaesters copolymer of the present invention is formed from a first divalent repeating unit of formula IA:[--C(O)--R.sub.30 --C(O)--] IAa second divalent repeating unit of the formula IB:[O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--C(O)-- ]Iand a third repeating unit of the formula:[--O--R.sub.12 --].sub.U, XVIand optionally a fourth repeating unit with a formula selected from the group consisting of:[--O--R.sub.4 --].sub.A, II[--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--].sub.B, III([--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)].sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof wherein R.sub.12 contains an internal amine or internal amide group.

Abstract: The present claims are directed to a tipped surgical suture and a solventless method for making a tipped suture comprising a suture coated with 6-30 weight percent, based on the total weight of the tipped region of the suture, of a bioresorbable aliphatic polyester copolymer which itself comprises from 70-100 mole % of e-caprolactone repeating units or from 80-100 mole % of trimethylene carbonate repeating units, the remainder of repeating units in the copolymer comprising a plurality of lactide, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one units.

Abstract: The present invention describes a crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaamide polymer and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as catheters, molded devices, and the like. The crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaamide of the present invention are formed by crosslinking an aliphatic polyoxaamide having a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:?X--C(O)--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--C(O)--! Iand a second repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:?--Y--R.sub.17 --!.sub.T, II?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--!.sub.B, and III(?--O--R.sub.9 --C(O)!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof, wherein X and Y are selected from the group consisting of --O-- and --N(R)--, provided both X and Y are not both --0-- and may be blended with a second polymer that is preferably biocompatable.

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: The present invention describes a prepolymer of an aliphatic polyoxaester having a polymerizable end group that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention describes a prepolymer of aliphatic polyoxaesters containing amines and/or amido groups having polymerizable end groups that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides injectable, bioabsorbable liquid copolymers suitable for use as a soft tissue repair or augmentation material in animals comprising a liquid polymer selected from the group consisting of liquid polymers of a plurality of at least two different first lactone repeating units and liquid polymers of a plurality of first lactone and second lactone repeating units; wherein the first lactone repeating units are selected from the group consisting of .epsilon.-caprolactone repeating units, trimethylene carbonate repeating units, ether lactone repeating units (which for the purpose of this invention shall mean 1,4-dioxepan-2-one and 1,5-dioxepan-2-one) and combinations thereof and the second lactone repeating units are selected from the group consisting of glycolide repeating units, lactide repeating units (which for the purpose of this invention are defined to be L-lactide, D-lactide, or D,L-lactide repeating units), p-dioxanone repeating units and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides injectable, bioabsorbable microdispersions suitable for use as a soft tissue repair or augmentation material in animals comprising a fluid carrier that is a liquid polymer selected from the group consisting of liquid polymers of a plurality of at least two different first lactone repeating units and other liquid polymers; and a particulate material. Additionally, the present invention also discloses methods of using these microdispersions for tissue augmentation and repair as well as kits which include prefilled containers to facilitate the use of these materials.

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: Medical devices or components for medical devices formed from bioabsorbable elastomers comprising a random copolymer are disclosed. The random copolymer is a copolymer of from about 30 to about 70 weight percent of: a) .epsilon.-caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, an ether lactone, or a mixture of these, and b) the balance being substantially glycolide, para-dioxanone, or a mixture of these. The random copolymers surprisingly exhibit elastomeric properties, and the copolymers are bioabsorbable. The combination of physical and biological properties of these elastomeric copolymers are particularly well-suited for numerous medical and surgical applications.

Abstract: This invention provides various copolymers comprising a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and/or R.sub.2 are alkyl groups and a second repeating units generally having the chemical formula: ##STR2## and combinations of two or more thereof wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer. This invention also relates to use of these copolymers in the fabrication of absorbable surgical devices such as sutures and as coatings for medical devices. Additionally, described are blends and polyoxaesters containing the first repeating unit.

Abstract: The present invention describes a crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaesters containing amines and/or amido groups and blends thereof with other polymers that may be used to produce surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaesters of the present invention is formed from an aliphatic polyoxaester having a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:?O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--C(O)-- !Iand a second repeating unit of the formula:?--O--R.sub.12 --!.sub.U, XVIand optionally a third repeating unit with a formula selected from the group consisting of:?--O--R.sub.4 --!.sub.A, II?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--!.sub.B, III(?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof wherein R.sub.12 contains an internal amine or internal amide group wherein the aliphatic polyoxaester has been crosslinked.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new crossslinkable and crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaesters and blends thereof that may be used to produce hydrogels, surgical devices such as sutures, sutures with attached needles, molded devices, and the like. The invention also contemplates a process for producing these polyesters. The crosslinked aliphatic polyoxaesters of the present invention are formed from an aliphatic polyoxaester a first divalent repeating unit of formula I:?O--C(O)--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--O--(R.sub.3)--O--C(R.sub.1) (R.sub.2)--C(O)--! Iand a second repeating unit selected from the group of formulas consisting of:?--O--R.sub.4 --!.sub.A, II?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)--!.sub.B, IIIand(?--O--R.sub.5 --C(O)!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G XIand combinations thereof. These aliphatic polyoxaesters may be blended with other polymers which are preferably biocompatible.