Abstract: Bioswellable sutures are provided in the form of absorbable, compliant monofilaments of an amphiphilic copolyester, an absorbable multifilament braid, a non-absorbable monofilament with swellable outer layer, a non-absorbable multifilament braid with an absorbable monofilament core of an amphiphilic copolymer, and a non-absorbable, multifilament braid molecularly integrated with an outer sheath that is highly hydrophilic.

Abstract: An in situ film-forming sprayable methyl acetate-based solution of at least one absorbable, low-crystallinity, segmented copolymer contains at least one bioactive agent, which exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anesthetic, hemostatic, and/or antineoplastic activity. The absorbable polymers can be a polyaxial copolyester, polyether-ester and polyether-ester urethane and the bioactive solution thereof can be applied onto animal and human skin or accessible body cavities to prevent or treat one or more disorder susceptible to the bioactive agent therein.

Abstract: Absorbable and non-absorbable cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive/sealant formulations include at least one multipurpose carboxylic, acid-bearing C-succinylated polymeric rheology modifier capable of increasing the viscosity of the liquid formulation, while controlling the anionic polymerization of the cyanoacrylate monomers and increasing the compliance of the cured solid adhesive.

Abstract: Radiopaque, iodinated, absorbable polyesters, polyester urethanes, and polyether-ester-urethanes with and without inorganic iodide micro-/nanoparticles dispersed or solubilized therein, and composite inorganic iodide micro-/nanoparticles in an absorbable polyester, polyester-urethane, polyester-ester, or polyether-ester urethane matrix are employed in medical devices and therapeutic compositions.

Abstract: Bioactive hydroforming luminal liner compositions are formed of an absorbable crystalline amphiphilic polyether-ester-urethane dissolved in a liquid derivative of a polyether glycol that undergoes transformation into a tissue-adhering, resilient interior cover or liner for the controlled release of its bioactive payload at clinically compromised conduits in humans as in the case of bacteria- and yeast-infected vaginal canals, esophagi, and arteries following angioplasty.

Abstract: Biomedical and tissue engineering devices, such as surgical sutures and microporous scaffolds, respectively, which undergo swelling and increase in dimensions when placed in aqueous environments such as living tissues, are produced by the melt-spinning or electrostatic spinning into strong monofilament and multifilament yarns or microfibrous fabrics, respectively. Such devices are formed from especially high molecular weight crystalline polyether-esters having a minimum inherent viscosity of 0.8 dL/g and heat of fusion of at least 5 J/g, wherein the polyether-esters are made by grafting to a polyester component a polyether glycol component having a minimum molecular weight of about 1 kDa with at least one cyclic monomer.

Abstract: Absorbable composite medical devices such as surgical meshes and braided sutures, which display two or more absorption/biodegradation and breaking strength retention profiles and exhibit unique properties in different clinical settings, are made using combinations of at least two types of yarns having distinctly different physicochemical and biological properties and incorporate in the subject construct special designs to provide a range of unique properties as clinically useful implants.

Abstract: Bioactive hydroforming luminal liner compositions are formed of an absorbable crystalline amphiphilic polyether-ester-urethane dissolved in a liquid derivative of a polyether glycol that undergoes transformation into a tissue-adhering, resilient interior cover or liner for the controlled release of its bioactive payload at clinically compromised conduits in humans as in the case of bacteria- and yeast-infected vaginal canals, esophagi, and arteries following angioplasty.

Abstract: Hydroswellable, absorbable and non-absorbable, aliphatic, segmented polyurethanes and polyurethane-urea capable of swelling in the biological environment with associated increase in volume of at least 3 percent have more than one type of segments, including those derived from polyethylene glycol and the molecular chains are structurally tailored to allow the use of corresponding formulations and medical devices as carriers for bioactive agents, rheological modifiers of cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesives, as protective devices for repairing defective or diseased components of articulating joints and their cartilage, and scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite ring for the controlled release of at least one bioactive agent includes a biocompatible matrix reinforced with absorbable/biodegradable fibers capable of providing the mechanical properties needed for inserting and maintaining the ring in a body cavity for a desired period of time. Such ring system as can be used for the intravaginal, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous delivery of at least one bioactive agent, including those used as contraceptives, antimicrobial agents, and/or antiviral agents, as well as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Absorbable/biodegradable composite yarns contain at least two types of fibrous components having distinctly different absorption and strength retention profiles and are useful in constructing surgical implants, such as sutures and meshes with integrated physicochemical and biological properties, wherein these properties are modulated through varying the individual yarn content and controlling the geometry of these constructs.

Abstract: Silk/absorbable polyester hybrid medical devices for tissue repair and regeneration are formed of degummed, naturally produced, multifilament silk yarn in combination with at least one absorbable polyester in the form of a surface coating, with or without an antimicrobial agent, for producing value-added braided silk sutures and multifilament yarn, as well as silk/absorbable polyester fiber composites, for producing tailored hybrid sutures, meshes, and scaffolds for tissue regeneration.

Abstract: A process for making a multicomponent microbicidal contraceptive intravaginal ringed-mesh device that includes forming a polymeric, fibrous mesh and adjoining a reinforcing yarn about the periphery of the fibrous mesh. The process further involves forming a polymeric ring matrix, that includes at least one contraceptive agent on the reinforced fibrous mesh, thereby encasing the reinforcing yarn and the mesh periphery, and applying at least one bioactive agent to the ringed-mesh.

Abstract: Absorbable, multiphasic, crystalline, solid blend compositions having at least two first order thermal transitions, are formed of a segmented l-lactide copolymer as the principal or major component and at least one additional crystalline thermoplastic absorbable polyester having glycolide-based sequences, a fraction of which participated in ester-ester interchange reactions with lactide-based sequences to produce crystalline materials with modulated properties for use in producing orthopedic and tissue-repair devices.

Abstract: This invention describes a partially absorbable, fiber-reinforced composite in the form of a ring, or a suture-like thread, with modified terminals for use as a controlled delivery system of at least one bioactive agent, wherein said composite comprising an absorbable fiber construct capable of providing time-dependent mechanical properties of a biostable elastomeric matrix containing an absorbable microparticulate ion-exchanger to modulate the release of the bioactive agent(s) for a desired period(s) of time at a specific biological site; this can be a vaginal canal, peritoneal cavity, scrotum, prostate gland, an ear loop or subcutaneous tissue. Such drug delivery systems can be used for the local administration of at least one bioactive agent, including those used as contraceptive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and/or antiviral agents as well as for cancer treatment.

Abstract: Elastomeric fibrous constructs are formed from multicomponent, non-woven nano-/microfibers having a core and sheath configuration made primarily of an absorbable polymer and preferably a water-soluble one, respectively. Most preferably, the nano-/microfibers are produced by electrostatic spinning. Depending on clinical use of these constructs, suitable bioactive agents can be incorporated into the construct.

Abstract: Bioactive, hydroforming luminal liner compositions are formed of high molecular weight crystalline, absorbable copolyesters dissolved in a liquid derivative of a polyether glycol that undergoes transformation into a tissue-adhering, resilient interior cover or liner for the controlled release of its bioactive payload at clinically compromised conduits in humans as in the case of bacteria- and yeast-infected vaginal canals, esophagi, and arteries following angioplasty.

Abstract: An in situ gel-forming composition is disclosed. The in situ gel-forming composition comprises one or more absorbable polymers, solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol or DMSO, and optionally one or more bioactive agent. The composition forms a hydrogel or semi-solid mass on contact with an aqueous environment. The method of using in situ gel-forming composition for various applications is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention deals with a carboxyl-bearing, amphiphilic, solid copolyester stent coating composition for multifaceted prevention of vascular restenosis through a plurality of physicopharmacological modes. The composition includes one or more bioactive compounds and a copolymerization product of polyalkylene glycol, end-grafted with one or more cyclic monomer and treated further to introduce carboxyl-bearing end- or side-groups. The invention also deals with bioactive agents in an ionically conjugated form. The present coating may be applied to a metallic or an absorbable polymeric stent for use in preventing vascular restenosis.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite ring for the controlled release of at least one bioactive agent includes a biocompatible matrix reinforced with absorbable/biodegradable fibers capable of providing the mechanical properties needed for inserting and maintaining the ring in a body cavity for a desired period of time. Such ring system as can be used for the intravaginal, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous delivery of at least one bioactive agent, including those used as contraceptives, antimicrobial agents, and/or antiviral agents, as well as those for the treatment of cancer.