Abstract: The biocompatible, biodegradable materials in the solid and/or liquid form are based on segmented linear polyurethanes and/or segmented crosslinked polyurethanes based on A) one or more biocompatible polyols susceptible to hydrolytic and/or enzymatic degradation having a molecular weight of 100 to 20,000 dalton and a number of active hydroxyl groups per molecule (functionality) of at least two or higher: B) one or more diisocyanates and/or triisocyanates; and C) one or more low molecular weight chain extenders having a molecular weight of 18 to 1000 dalton and the functionality of at least two or higher.

Abstract: The biocompatible, biodegradable materials in the solid and/or liquid form are based on segmented linear polyurethanes and/or segmented crosslinked polyurethanes based on A) one or more biocompatible polyols susceptible to hydrolytic and/or enzymatic degradation having a molecular weight of 100 to 20,000 dalton and a number of active hydroxyl groups per molecule (functionality) of at least two or higher: B) one or more diisocyanates and/or triisocyanates; and C) one or more low molecular weight chain extenders having a molecular weight of 18 to 1000 dalton and the functionality of at least two or higher.

Abstract: The biocompatible, biodegradable materials in the solid and/or liquid form are based on segmented linear polyurethanes and/or segmented crosslinked polyurethanes based on A) one or more biocompatible polyols susceptible to hydrolytic and/or enzymatic degradation having a molecular weight of 100 to 20,000 dalton and a number of active hydroxyl groups per molecule (functionality) of at least two or higher; B) one or more diisocyanates and/or triisocyanates; and C) one or more low molecular weight chain extenders having a molecular weight of 18 to 1000 dalton and the functionality of at least two or higher.

Abstract: The biocompatible, biodegradable materials in the solid and/or liquid form are based on segmented linear polyurethanes and/or segmented crosslinked polyurethanes based on A) one or more biocompatible polyols susceptible to hydrolytic and/or enzymatic degradation having a molecular weight of 100 to 20,000 dalton and a number of active hydroxyl groups per molecule (functionality) of at least two or higher; B) one or more diisocyanates and/or triisocyanates; and C) one or more low molecular weight chain extenders having a molecular weight of 18 to 1000 dalton and the functionality of at least two or higher.

Abstract: The biocompatible, biodegradable materials in the solid and/or liquid form are based on segmented linear polyurethanes and/or segmented crosslinked polyurethanes based on A) one or more biocompatible polyols susceptible to hydrolytic and/or enzymatic degradation having a molecular weight of 100 to 20,000 dalton and a number of active hydroxyl groups per molecule (functionality) of at least two or higher; B) one or more diisocyanates and/or triisocyanates; and C) one or more low molecular weight chain extenders having a molecular weight of 18 to 1000 dalton and the functionality of at least two or higher.

Abstract: The method for producing resorbable or degradable polymeric medical devices by applying compressive forces on solid polymeric objects containing liquid or solid additives, is characterized in that: A) the additives are able to promote the slip-page of the polymeric objects through the forming device, facilitate transient chain mobility and promote chain orientation; B) said additives are present in an amount of 0.005 to 20% of the dry weight of said polymeric objects; C) the solubility parameters of said additives being selected in such a way that after absorbing by said polymeric objects the additives do not dissolve more than 0.01 to 1% of the total mass of said polymeric objects; D) said applying of compressive forces is performed minimally at a temperature of Tmin=Tg?50° C., Tg being the glass transition temperature of the polymer the said object is made of polymer; and E) said applying of compressive forces is performed maximally at a temperature Tmax=Tm?5° C.

Abstract: The biocompatible, biodegradable materials in the solid and/or liquid form are based on segmented linear polyurethanes and/or segmented crosslinked polyurethanes based on A) one or more biocompatible polyols susceptible to hydrolytic and/or enzymatic degradation having a molecular weight of 100 to 20,000 dalton and a number of active hydroxyl groups per molecule (functionality) of at least two or higher; B) one or more diisocyanates and/or triisocyanates; and C) one or more low molecular weight chain extenders having a molecular weight of 18 to 1000 dalton and the functionality of at least two or higher.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to implantable, resorbable copolymers containing L-lactide and glycolide repeat units, and in particular to terpolymers containing L-lactide, glycolide, and one other type of repeat unit selected from the group consisting of D-lactide, D,L-lactide, and &egr;-caprolactone. Medical devices for in vivo implantation applications containing such implantable, resorbable copolymers are also described, as well as methods for making such copolymers and devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to implantable, resorbable copolymers containing L-lactide and glycolide repeat units, and in particular to terpolymers containing L-lactide, glycolide, and one other type of repeat unit selected from the group consisting of D-lactide, D,L-lactide, and &egr;-caprolactone. Medical devices for in vivo implantation applications containing such implantable, resorbable copolymers are also described, as well as methods for making such copolymers and devices.

Abstract: A method for delivering a therapeutically effective drug via a hardenable ceramic hydraulic cement composition including a first component of at least one sodium or calcium salts of inorganic and organic acids, a second component of at least one alkaline, and optionally third and fourth components including an organic carboxylic acid and pure water, respectively, wherein the cement composition is implanted in an animal or human body, hardens, and then degrades in situ after time to releases a amount of the drug into a locally targeted area.

Abstract: High-strength, high-modulus, polymeric implants are produced from highly oriented monofilaments and/or films by solvent welding technique. This avoids loss of orientation, as well as thermal and oxidative degradation, which is the common case with the state of art techniques, namely melt extrusion, injection molding and heat compression molding. The invention leads to uniform bonding of the separate structural units (monofilaments or films) into compound-filament or compound-laminate which protects the implant against delamination. Monofilaments of films are swollen at the surface with a suitable solvent which does not destroy the orientation in the core. A bundle, resp. a sandwich of the swollen monofilaments or films is pulled through an orifice generating compressive stresses between the filaments, resp. films. Solvent removal from the swollen compressed interfaces leads to a homogenous welding of the monofilaments or films.

Abstract: A bone regeneration membrane containing resorbable or degradable, polymeric and/or polymeric-ceramic material with a glass transition temperature in the range of -30.degree. to +200.degree. C.The novel membrane can be used for the spontaneous regeneration of bone and for the improved application of autologous or allogenic graft materials and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The device is implantable in the living body for attachment and augmentation of tendons and/or reinforcement of bones. It comprises a substantially flat membrane having a rounded outer shape and at least two perforations. The membrane contains resorbable or degradable polymeric and/or polymeric-ceramic material, having a Young's modulus in the range of 1 to 50 GPa and a tensile strength in the range of 0.1 to 20.0 GPa. It allows a more secure fixation of transosseous sutures.

Abstract: A device for the reconstruction of the orbit of the skull is described. The device is produced from biocompatible polymeric preferably from resorbable polymers having a shape of nonporous and/or microporous plates, membranes or films. The device is preshaped into a three-dimensional element to fit into the orbit of the human skull. Fixation elements with holes being integral part of the device, allow attachment of the device to the skull. Anatomical cuts in the body of the device allow through the nerves and vessels of the eye. An oblong shape of the edges of the anatomical cuts, protects the nerves and vessels from being damaged when the nerves and vessels rub against the edge surface.

Abstract: An absorbable bone screw and plate system with self-locking properties. The absorbable bone screw comprises a threaded shaft portion 1 for insertion into bone and a head portion 3 for rigid connection in the screw hole 13 of a bone plate 20, the diameter of said head portion 3 increasing in the direction opposite to the shaft portion 1, and the outer surface of said head portion 3 being provided with a three-dimensional structure 4 in the form of corrugations.

Abstract: The resorbable fixation device is useful for treating torn bodily material in vivo. It has a tip, a head, and a cylindrically shaped shaft portion lying between the tip and the head. The shaft portion has at least one retention element protruding radially therefrom to facilitate insertion of said shaft portion longitudinally into the bodily material in a forward axial direction extending from the tip to the head and to restrict movement of the shaft portion through the bodily material in a backward axial direction opposite to the forward direction. The shaft portion has further a hollow body with at least one radial opening extending transversely through the walls surrounding the hollow body and rendering the shaft radially elastic. The walls surrounding the hollow body are provided with at least one stiffening element providing a controlled stiffness to the fixation device.

Abstract: Bone defects after trauma, tumor resection, etc. still present a major clcal problem. Current treatment with bone grafts, bone-inducing substances, Ilizarov techniques, artificial prosthetic replacements, or bone transplants are only partially satisfying. Bioresorbable shell structures for treatment of bone defects are disclosed. The shells are anatomically shaped and serve as containers or bone grafts or bone precursors as well as temporary structural supports. The shells are preferably porous allowing for nutritional support of the graft and limit the thickness of the graft to no more than a few millimeters. Thus nutrients and metabolic by-products transport by diffusion alone is sufficient to maintain grafted metabolism in the critical phase before revascularization takes place.

Abstract: A surgical filament produced by spinning a mixture of polylactides and additive.

Abstract: Method of preparing a new synthetic surgical filament material by spinning a mixture of a polyester and an additive.

Abstract: A method of producing a mono- or multilayered prosthesis material for use with a living body, the material showing mechanical compliance vis-a-vis soft body tissue and possessing biocompatibility, the method comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a polymer solution using a mixed solvent, the solution being near its precipitation point;(b) coating a substrate and precipitating thereon the polymer to form a physically stable porous structure by evaporating at least part of the solvent fraction of the mixed solvent;and the multilayered prosthesis material prepared by the method.