Abstract: A strap assembly to be looped about split portions of human tissue to retain the split portions in adjacent contacting relation to promote healing thereof includes a flexible elongated member and a buckle member. The buckle member includes a frame member and a clamp member rotatably mounted within the frame member from a non-strap securing position to a strap securing position. The clamp member rotates to the strap securing position in response to tensional forces exerted on the strap during tensioning thereof about the tissue portions.

Abstract: Block copolymers have a first copolymer block wherein lactide is the predominant component and a second copolymer block wherein trimethylene carbonate is the predominant component. The copolymers are useful in forming surgical devices, including monofilament sutures.

Abstract: Polymer blends of glycolide and/or lactide homopolymer and/or glycolide/lactide copolymer and polycaprolactone and/or polytrimethylene carbonate homopolymer or copolymers thereof and absorbable surgical devices manufactured therefrom having improved mechanical properties, such as improved impact resistance and improved cyclic flex, are disclosed.

Abstract: A block copolymer for use in the fabrication of bioabsorbable articles such as monofilament surgical sutures is prepared by copolymerizing one or more hard phase forming monomers and 1,4-dioxan-2-one, and then polymerizing one or more hard phase forming monomers with the dioxanone-containing copolymer.

Abstract: A braided suture exhibits one or more improved properties, e.g., reduced chatter, greater flexibility and/or better hand, than that of a braided suture of known, or standard, construction and of substantially equivalent size.

Abstract: A siliconized surgical needle is provided which requires significantly less force to effect tissue penetration than a standard siliconized needle.

Abstract: Compositions comprising polyesters having predetermined monomeric sequence are produced by stepwise addition of monomeric hydroxyacids to a growing polymeric chain. Included herein are various polyesters having predetermined monomeric sequence, methods of their production use as well as articles formed from said compositions.

Abstract: Block copolymers have a first polymer block wherein glycolide is the predominant component and a second block having glycolide, lactide and trimethylene carbonate linkages. The copolymers are useful in forming surgical devices, including monofilament sutures.

Abstract: A surgical needle is attached to a braided suture of particular construction to provide a combined surgical needle-braided suture device. A shrinkable tubing is employed to secure the needle to the suture. The tubing shrinks in response to the application of energy, e.g., heat. Attachment parameters may be controlled to provide standard needle attachment or removable needle attachment.

Abstract: A block copolymer for use in the fabrication of bioabsorbable articles such as monofilament surgical sutures is prepared by copolymerizing lactide and 1,4-dioxanone, and then polymerizing glycolide with the lactide/1,4-dioxanone copolymer.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable sutures are filled with a stabilizing agent, preferably a mixture of glycerol and calcium lactate, and inserted into a retainer having a narrow convoluted passageway. The retainer is inserted into an open foil pouch with a package stabilizing element, such as a paper sheet filled with stabilizing agent. The package containing the suture, retainer and package stabilizing element is sterilized, aerated, equilibrated to a relatively high moisture level, and sealed. Long lengths of suture and doubled-over and tripled-over suture may be withdrawn from the retainer with low force without damaging the suture. Bends and kinks in the suture are prevented so as to provide a synthetic absorbable suture having highly desirable out of package hand and feel. The suture as removed from the package exhibits improved tissue drag characteristics.

Abstract: A semi-bioabsorbable connective tissue prosthesis, e.g., a replacement for the human anterior cruciate ligament, is provided whose stress-strain characteristics closely match those of the natural tissue.

Abstract: A method for supporting a piece which is to undergo a treatment process including embedding the piece in a particulate support medium, enclosing the support medium in a container, and pressurizing the support medium by applying pressure to the outside of the container or by applying a vacuum to the interior of the container. Various treatment processes may be employed, such as annealing.

Abstract: A method for supporting a piece which is to undergo a treatment process including embedding the piece in a particulate support medium, enclosing the support medium in a container, and pressurizing the support medium by applying pressure to the outside of the container or by applying a vacuum to the interior of the container. Various treatment processes may be employed, such as annealing.

Abstract: A semi-bioabsorbable connective tissue prosthesis, e.g., a replacement for the human anterior cruciate ligament, is provided whose stress-strain characteristics closely match those of the natural tissue.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing bioabsorbable polymer particles employing rotary atomization.

Abstract: An absorbable coating composition useful for coating sutures, said absorbable coating composition comprising a copolymer derived from (i) the copolymerization of a polyalkylene glycol, glycolide monomer and lactide monomer or (ii) the copolymerization of a polyalkylene glycol and a copolymer of lactide and glycolide and multifilament sutures coated with same.

Abstract: An absorbable, annealed surgical device made from a multi-phase, polymeric composition derived from lactide and glycolide. Preferably, the composition has two phases, both phases are continuous, the first phase has about 0-about 25%m glycolide moieties, the overall composition has up to 45%m glycolide moieties, and the first phase constitutes at least 50% (and preferably not more than about 95%) by weight of the composition. The device has a high distortion temperature, good resistance to hot-wet creep, but yet loses tensile strength in vivo quickly. The composition per se is injection-moldable, can be annealed, and is not brittle.

Abstract: The storage stability of a polymeric article susceptible to hydrolytic degradation, e.g., an absorbable suture, is improved by applying a storage stabilizing amount of a mixture comprising at least one water soluble hygroscopic polyhydroxy compound and/or ester thereof, e.g., glycerol, monoacetin, diacetin, and the like, and at least one compound having the general formula ##STR1## and hydreates thereof to the article as storage stabilizing agent, said agent being retained by the article prior to sealing of the enclosure in which the suture is packaged.

Abstract: A composite yarn possessing a nonabsorbable, elastic core yarn component and an absorbable, relatively inelastic sheath yarn component is employed in the manufacture of a porous tubular prosthesis useful, e.g., in vascular reconstruction.