Abstract: A package having an additive that does not adhere to a medical device enclosed therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reinforced, biocompatible, biodegradable compositions suitable for use in implantable medical devices and medical devices made at least in part from such compositions, where the compositions include a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer; a biocompatible, biodegradable wax; and greater than about 30 weight percent of an inorganic filler material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable medical device, the device contraining a body and a first lubricated surface for contacting tissue, or a second surface of the device, or a surface of a second medical device, the implantable device fabricated at least in part from a biocompatible, biodegradable composition, the composition containing a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer and a biocompatible, biodegradable wax, wherein the concentration of the wax at the first lubricated surface of the implantable device is greater than the concentration of the wax in the body of the implantable device, and to methods of making the device wherein the device is heated to a temperature greater than the melting point of the wax, greater than the glass transition temperature of the polymer, and lower than melting point of the polymer, thereby providing the lubricated surface.

Abstract: A cutting device for trimming a coiled strand, such as an arterial, urinary or other intraluminal stent made from metal or plastic wire, has a pair of articulating arms connected at a pivot joint. One of the arms has a holding jaw for holding the coiled strand. A second of the arms has a jaw with a cutter. The holding jaw has a passageway through which the coiled strand may be threaded to aid in holding the coiled strand for cutting by the cutter. The holding jaw preferably has a guide channel formed by a pair of tapered walls that slide between adjacent turns of the coiled strand. In accordance with a method of the invention, an end of the coiled strand is introduced through the passageway in the holding jaw. The coiled strand is rotated to advance the coiled strand through the passageway until the coiled strand is positioned beneath the cutting jaw at the selected location. The lever portions and the jaw portions are then urged together, cutting the coiled strand at the selected location.

Abstract: A biocompatible tissue implant, as well as methods for making and using such an implant, is provided. Preferably, the tissue implant is bioabsorbable. The tissue implant comprises one or more layers of a bioabsorbable polymeric foam having pores with an open cell structure. The tissue implant also includes a reinforcement component which contributes both to the mechanical and the handling properties of the implant. Preferably, the reinforcement component of the instant invention is bioabsorbable as well. The tissue implant of the present invention can be used in connection with the surgical repair of soft tissue injury, such as injury to the pelvic floor.

Abstract: A bone anchor for securing sutures or cables within a hole opening in a bone includes a screw element and a washer, which is separate from and independent of the screw element. The end of the cable to be secured within the bone hole opening is knotted or otherwise secured to the washer, thereby isolating the cable from the twisting of the screw element during insertion of the anchoring device into the hole opening in the bone.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant having a tissue scaffold and a fixation device with a scaffold support and an anchoring post. The anchoring post extends from a surface of the scaffold support at a selected angle with the scaffold support embedded within the scaffold. The scaffold has a porous ceramic phase and a porous polymer phase. The polymer is foamed while in solution that is infused in the pores of the ceramic to create a interphase junction of interlocked porous materials and embedding the scaffold support portion of the fixation device. The preferred method for foaming is by lyophilization. The scaffold may be infused or coated with a variety of bioactive materials to induce ingrowth or to release a medicament. The mutilayered porous scaffold can mimic the morphology of an injured tissue junction with a gradient morphology and cell composition.

Abstract: A biodegradable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent in one embodiment is made from a biodegradable fiber having an inner core and an outer layer. The outer layer is a blend of two polymer components. The inner core has a first degradation rate, and the outer layer has a second degradation rate. The second degradation rate is slower than the first degradation rate. The fiber softens in vivo such that the stent is readily passed from the lumen as a softened fragment or filament after a pre-determined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen.

Abstract: A biocompatible tissue implant, as well as methods for making and using such an implant, is provided. Preferably, the tissue implant is bioabsorbable. The tissue implant comprises one or more layers of a bioabsorbable polymeric foam having pores with an open cell structure. The tissue implant also includes a reinforcement component which contributes both to the mechanical and the handling properties of the implant. Preferably, the reinforcement component is bioabsorbable as well. The tissue implant provided can be used in connection with the surgical repair of soft tissue injury, such as injury to the pelvic floor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat transfer medium having high heat transfer rate, being useful in even wider fields, simple in structure, easy to made, environmentally sound, and capable of rapidly conducting heat and preserving heat in a highly efficient manner. Further disclosed are a heat transfer surface and a heat transfer element utilizing the heat transfer medium. Further disclosed are applications of the heat transfer element.

Abstract: A biodegradable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent in one embodiment is made from a biodegradable fiber having an inner core and an outer layer. The outer layer is a blend of two polymer components. The inner core has a first degradation rate, and the outer layer has a second degradation rate. The second degradation rate is slower than the first degradation rate. The fiber softens in vivo such that the stent is readily passed from the lumen as a softened fragment or filament after a pre-determined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen.

Abstract: A biodegradable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent in one embodiment is made from a biodegradable fiber having an inner core and an outer layer. The outer layer is a blend of two polymer components. The inner core has a first degradation rate, and the outer layer has a second degradation rate. The second degradation rate is slower than the first degradation rate. The fiber softens in vivo such that the stent is readily passed from the lumen as a softened fragment or filament after a pre-determined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen.

Abstract: A composite scaffold with a porous ceramic phase and a porous polymer phase. The polymer is foamed while in solution that is infused in the pores of the ceramic to create a interphase junction of interlocked porous materials. The preferred method for foaming is by lyophilization. The scaffold may be infused or coated with a variety of bioactive materials to induce ingrowth or to release a medicament. The multi-layered porous scaffold can mimic the morphology of an injured tissue junction with a gradient morphology and cell composition, such as articular cartilage.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant having a tissue scaffold and a fixation device with a scaffold support and an anchoring post. The anchoring post extends from a surface of the scaffold support at a selected angle with the scaffold support embedded within the scaffold. The scaffold has a porous ceramic phase and a porous polymer phase. The polymer is foamed while in solution that is infused in the pores of the ceramic to create a interphase junction of interlocked porous materials and embedding the scaffold support portion of the fixation device. The preferred method for foaming is by lyophilization. The scaffold may be infused or coated with a variety of bioactive materials to induce ingrowth or to release a medicament. The mutilayered porous scaffold can mimic the morphology of an injured tissue junction with a gradient morphology and cell composition.

Abstract: A removable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent is made from a soft, flexible fiber having an outer surface. An outer bioabsorbable/degradable coating is applied to the outer surface of the filament causing it to become rigid. The coating softens in vivo through absorption and/or degradation such that the stent is readily passed or removed from the lumen as a softened filament after a pre-determined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen or by manual removal.

Abstract: A removable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent is made from a soft, flexible fiber having an outer surface. An outer bioabsorbable/degradable coating is applied to the outer surface of the filament causing it to become rigid. The coating softens in vivo through absorption and/or degradation such that the stent is readily passed or removed from the lumen as a softened filament after a pre-determined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen or by manual removal.

Abstract: A biodegradable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent in one embodiment is made from a biodegradable fiber having an inner core and an outer layer. The outer layer is a blend of two polymer components. The inner core has a first degradation rate, and the outer layer has a second degradation rate. The second degradation rate is slower than the first degradation rate. The fiber softens in vivo such that the stent is readily passed from the lumen as a softened fragment or filament after a pre-determined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen.

Abstract: A biocompatible tissue implant, as well as methods for making and using such an implant, is provided. Preferably, the tissue implant is bioabsorbable. The tissue implant comprises one or more layers of a bioabsorbable polymeric foam having pores with an open cell structure. The tissue implant also includes a reinforcement component which contributes both to the mechanical and the handling properties of the implant. Preferably, the reinforcement component of the instant invention is bioabsorbable as well. The tissue implant of the present invention can be used in connection with the surgical repair of soft tissue injury, such as injury to the pelvic floor.

Abstract: A biodegradable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent in one embodiment is made from a biodegradable fiber having an inner core and an outer layer. The outer layer is a blend of two polymer components. The inner core has a first degradation rate, and the outer layer has a second degradation rate. The second degradation rate is slower than the first degradation rate. The fiber softens in vivo such that the stent is readily passed from the lumen as a softened fragment or filament after a predetermined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a foam, the method including contacting a polymer solution with a surface of a mold, the solution containing dissolved therein a biocompatible polymer, the mold containing disposed on at least one surface thereof a three-dimensional negative configuration of a predetermined micropattern to be disposed on and integral with at least one surface of the foam, lyophilizing the solution while in contact with the surface of the mold and removing the lyophilized micropatterned foam from the mold.