Abstract: Chitosan/alginate post-surgical anti-adhesion barriers, methods of preventing post-surgical adhesions, and methods and devices for forming post-surgical anti-adhesion barriers are provided. An aqueous solution of chitosan and a complexing agent, and an aqueous solution of alginate are combined to form an anti-adhesion barrier at a site of surgical intervention. A medicinal agent may optionally be incorporated.

Abstract: Block copolymers wherein the first block contains from about 40 to about 65 mole percent of repeating units derived from glycolide randomly combined with from about 60 to 35 mole percent of repeating units derived from lactide and the second block contains repeating units derived from glycolide and repeating units derived from lactide, the second block containing a higher proportion of repeating units derived from glycolide than the first block, with units derived from glycolide constituting from about 75 to about 95 mole percent of the entire block copolymer are useful in forming surgical articles, including sutures.

Abstract: Composite materials have a core portion formed from a biocompatible material and at least one shell portion of a biocompatible material joined to the core portion. In a preferred embodiment, the core portion is coextruded with the shell portion to form a composite filament or sheet. The composite materials may be used as sutures or formed into medical devices or surgical articles for implantation within a living organism.

Abstract: Block copolymers wherein the first block contains from about 40 to about 65 mole percent of repeating units derived from glycolide randomly combined with from about 60 to 35 mole percent of repeating units derived from lactide and the second block contains repeating units derived from glycolide and repeating units derived from lactide, the second block containing a higher proportion of repeating units derived from glycolide than the first block, with units derived from glycolide constituting from about 75 to about 95 mole percent of the entire block copolymer are useful in forming surgical articles, including sutures.

Abstract: A gut suture is coated with a bioabsorbable copolymer obtained by polymerizing a major amount of .epsilon.-caprolactone and a minor amount of at least one other copolymerizable monomer in the presence of polyhydric alcohol as initiator. The coated gut suture can be packaged in the absence of conventional tubing fluid, i.e., in the dry state, while at the same time retaining flexibility, pliability and resistance to fray. In an alternative embodiment, a gut suture is coated with a pre-coating composition prior to being coated with the bioabsorbable copolymer.

Abstract: Degradable polyesteramide suitable for use in biomedical applications is obtained by reacting diamino alkyl ester with alpha hydroxy acid to form diamide-diol which is reacted with acyl halide or dicarboxylic acid to yield polyesteramide.

Abstract: Polyesteramides having amino acid-derived groups alternating with hydroxy acid-derived groups are useful in making shaped articles, particularly, shaped articles suitable for use as surgical devices.

Abstract: A polyesteramide suitable for use in the fabrication of absorbable surgical devices such as monofilament and multifilament sutures, films, sheets, plates, clips, staples, pins, screws, and the like, is obtained by reacting a monoalkanolamine such as ethanolamine with a diacid halide such as succinic acidchloride to provide a diamidediol and thereafter reacting the diamidediol with the same or different diacid halide under polymerization conditions to form the polyesteramide.

Abstract: Cyclic monomers prepared by novel methods are useful in making polyesteramides which can be made into shaped articles, particularly, shaped articles suitable for use as surgical devices.

Abstract: A surgical bonding material includes a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase. The continuous phase is formed from a polymerizable liquid. The discontinuous phase includes particles of bioabsorbable polymer. The bonding material may be partially or completely bioabsorbable.

Abstract: Absorbable mixtures are fabricated from a predominant component of fatty acid ester mixed with a copolymer comprising a predominant amount of epsilon-caprolactone and a minor amount of at least one other copolymerizable monomer of other bioabsorbable monomers. These mixtures are useful in forming coating for surgical articles, including multifilament sutures.

Abstract: A moldable biodegradable surgical material is made of a bioabsorbable polymer derived from hydroxyacids, tactones, carbonates, etheresters, anhydrides, orthoesters and copolymers, terpolymers and/or blends thereof, the polymer blended with at least one surface active agent selected from the group consisting of fatty acid ester and poly(oxypropylene)/poly(oxyethylene) block copolymer. In one embodiment, a leaching agent is blended with the above-mentioned surgical material. Methods of making moldable biodegradable surgical material are provided. The surgical material may be used as a moldable bone wax in connection with repair of wounds and is an adaptable aid for any appropriate surgical use, e.g., hemostat, anchor, patch etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials having a core portion formed from a first bioabsorbable material and at least one shell portion of a second bioabsorbable material joined to the core portion. The first and second bioabsorbable materials have different rates of bioabsorption. In a preferred embodiment, the core portion is coextruded with the shell portion to form a composite filament or sheet. The materials of the present invention may be used as sutures or formed into medical devices or surgical articles for implantation within a living organism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials having a core portion formed from a first bioabsorbable material and at least one shell portion of a second bioabsorbable material joined to the core portion. The first and second bioabsorbable materials have different rates of bioabsorption. In a preferred embodiment, the core portion is coextruded with the shell portion to form a composite filament or sheet. The materials of the present invention may be used as sutures or formed into medical devices or surgical articles for implantation within a living organism.

Abstract: Star polymers of soft segment forming monomers are useful in forming surgical devices. The star polymers can be endcapped with isocyanate, mixed with a filler and/or cross-linked. The polymer compositions are useful, for example, as fiber coatings, surgical adhesives or bone putty, or tissue growth substrate.

Abstract: Synthetic, cross-linked amino-acid containing polymers are useful in forming medical devices. The hydrogels of the invention are particularly useful in wound healing and anti-adhesion applications.

Abstract: Wound treatment compositions include an oxidized cross-linked polysaccharide which has a chemically induced charge. Preferred polysaccharides are cross-linked dextrans. A charge is preferably provided by diethylaminoethyl groups (DEAE groups) or carboxymethyl groups. The oxidized cross-linked polysaccharide can be applied as a powder directly to a wound site. Alternatively, the oxidized cross-linked polysaccharide can be combined with a delivery vehicle to form a liquid or past to be applied to a wound site.

Abstract: A moldable and/or extrudable polymer which is useful for the manufacture of surgical devices such as sutures, staples, clips, etc., possesses structural units derived from a cyclic amide monomer containing oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen in the ring.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable polymers are obtained from the polymerization of cyclic ether-esters which are derived from crown ethers. The bioabsorbable polymers are useful in forming surgical articles including sutures and suture coating compositions.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable copolymers are derived from tricarboxylic acids and triols. The copolymers are useful in forming surgical articles including, sutures, suture coatings, and gels for promoting tissue repair.