Abstract: A novel polymer composition is provided which includes a base material including a biodegradable polymer or copolymer, and a copolymer additive including one or more monomers imparting a tensile strength to the polymer composition at room temperature that is lower than a tensile strength at room temperature for the base material.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable hydrogel polymers of natural, recombinant or synthetic origin, or hybrids thereof, are introduced in a dry, less hydrated, or substantially deswollen state and rehydrate in a physiological environment to undergo a volumetric expansion and to affect sealing, plugging, or augmentation of tissue, defects in tissue, or of organs. The hydrogel polymers may deliver therapeutic entities by controlled release at the site. Methods to form useful devices from such polymers, and to implant the devices are provided.

Abstract: Unitary surgical devices are disclosed. One group of the illustrated devices has a pair of biocompatible, bioresorbable anchors connected to fixed lengths suture. The anchors and fixed length of suture are connected to each other prior to surgery. Another group of unitary surgical devices has a pair of fixating mechanisms connected to a base prior to surgery. The second group of illustrated devices generally includes extracellular matrix material either as part of the base or supported on the base. The extracellular matrix material serves as tissue regenerating material. In the second group of unitary surgical devices, the fixating mechanisms illustrated generally comprise suture, anchors or pre-formed holes in the base. All of the illustrated unitary surgical devices are useful in repairing a damaged meniscus. The first group of unitary surgical devices can be used to approximate inner surfaces of a tear in the meniscus.

Abstract: A method of reducing scar formation at a wound site includes contacting the wound site with an effective scar reducing amount of a cross-linked polysaccharide having a positive charge and thereby reducing scar formation as the wound site heals. Such polysaccharide include bioabsorbable cross-linked dextrans or alginates. The positive charge may be provided by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) moieties. The cross-linked polysaccharide can be applied to the wound site as a powder or bead. The cross-linked polysaccharide may also be contained in a composition including a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. Biocompatable surgical devices are provided with an effective scar reducing amount of a cross-linked polysaccharide having a positive charge which reduce scar formation at healing wound sites. A method of reducing TGF-&bgr; activity is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline, absorbable block/segmented copolymers which are the reaction product of a linear prepolymer which is a polytrimethylene dicarboxylate of succinic, glutaric, or adipic acid and either glycolide, 1-lactide, or mixtures thereof. Preferably the prepolymer is preliminarily end-grafted with a further monomer such as trimethylene carbonate or &egr;-caprolactone. The crystalline copolymers of this invention are tailored for fabrication into several forms of absorbable biomedical devices including monofilament sutures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the direct, one-step synthesis of crystalline segmented glycolide copolymers having less than 80 percent glycolide-based sequences in the copolyester chain. The copolyester chain can also be formed using a polyether glycol as the initiator for the ring-opening copolymerization of glycolide and other cyclic monomers to form highly hydrophilic materials.

Abstract: A synthetic absorbable monofilament comprising glycolide and epsilon caprolactone is provided. The monofilament exhibits physical characteristics equivalent to or superior than gut sutures. The monofilaments can be fabricated into a wide variety of surgical devices such as sutures, meshes, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline copolymers of l-lactide and a minor portion of a cyclic monomer, preferably &egr;-caprolactone or trimethylene carbonate or both. The present copolymers have a melting temperature of at least 150° C. and a crystallinity of at least 20%. Preferred are high molecular weight copolymers having an inherent viscosity of at least 1.1 dl/g. A variety of surgical constructs may be formed from the present copolymers. Disclosed are coated surgical constructs including sutures made of multifilament yarns of the present copolymers and coated with nitrogenous copolyesters which will bioabsorb in less than three years and will maintain at least 50% of their initial strength three weeks post-operatively.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline copolymers of l-lactide and a minor portion of a cyclic monomer, preferably &egr;-caprolactone or trimethylene carbonate or both. The present copolymers have a melting temperature of at least 150° C. and a crystallinity of at least 25%. Preferred are high molecular weight copolymers having an inherent viscosity of at least 1.4 dl/g. A variety of surgical constructs may be formed from the present copolymers. Surgical sutures made of mono- or multifilament yarns of the present copolymers will bioabsorb in less than three years and will maintain at least 50% of their initial strength three weeks post-operatively.

Abstract: The present invention provides surgical article and suture coated with bioabsorbable microdispersions which contains a fluid carrier that is a liquid polymer and a particular material.

Abstract: An absorbable biocompatible polymeric matrix is described. The matrix has a continuous phase that is preferably amorphous. The matrix also has a disperse phase of low melting biocompatible material that acts as scattering centers for light and melts at a temperature lower than the continuous phase of the matrix. This matrix is especially useful in a variety of medical devices. When this matrix is heated to about the melting temperature of the dispersed phase the matrix undergoes a visual change. This provides a visual cue to a surgeon using the medical devices as to when the device can be safely shaped or manipulated without imparting undue stress to the device. As the medical device cools below the temperature at which it may be safely deformed the matrix resumes its original appearance signalling that it may no longer be safely shaped or manipulated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline copolymers of l-lactide and a minor portion of a cyclic monomer, preferably &egr;-caprolactone or trimethylene carbonate or both. The present copolymers have a melting temperature of at least 150° C. and a crystallinity of at least 20%. Preferred are high molecular weight copolymers having an inherent viscosity of at least 1.1 dl/g. A variety of surgical constructs may be formed from the present copolymers. Surgical sutures made of mono- or multifilament yams of the present copolymers will bioabsorb in less than three years and will maintain at least 50% of their initial strength three weeks post-operatively.

Abstract: Composite materials have a core portion formed from a polyalkylene oxide initiated block copolymer having one of the blocks made from hard phase forming monomers and another of the blocks made from random copolymers of soft phase forming monomers and at least one shell portion formed from a block copolymer having one of the blocks made from hard phase forming monomers and another of the blocks made from random copolymers of soft phase forming monomers joined to the core portion. Hard phase forming monomers include glycolide and lactide while soft phase forming monomers include 1,4 dioxane-2-one, 1,3 dioxane-2-one and caprolactone. 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 20 to about 80 mole percent of repeating units derived from lactide randomly combined with from about 20 to 80 mole percent of repeating units derived from glycolide and the second block contains repeating units derived from lactide and repeating units derived from other bioabsorbable monomeric units, such as glycolide, the second block containing a higher proportion of repeating units derived from lactide than the first block, with units derived from lactide constituting from about 40 to about 90 mole percent of the entire block copolymer are useful in forming surgical articles, including sutures.

Abstract: A suture assembly made of bioabsorbable material is disclosed having a central body member with a plurality of elongated lateral members extending therefrom, each lateral member having body tissue retention means such as provided from a plurality of barb members extending at an acute angle therefrom and/or an adhesive disposed thereon. The lateral members are inserted laterally into the two sides of a cut in body tissue, such lateral members each drawn into place, in one embodiment, by its attached thread member which is connected to a needle member at the end thereof. Also disclosed is a method for utilizing the suture assembly of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and process for improving the properties of braided ligature by hot stretching the braid.

Abstract: The application discloses esters of hyaluronic acid, wherein a first part of the carboxylic functions is esterified with an araliphatic alcohol and a second part is esterified with at least one long-chain, straight aliphatic alcohol with between 10 and 22 carbon atoms. The possible remaining non-esterified carboxylic functions, if present, are salified. The application further discloses biocompatible threads having a multifilament conformation comprising filaments formed by the aforesaid esters, and their use in the fields of medicine and surgery.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable medical devices made totally or in part from a random polymer comprising glycolide, lactide, trimethylene carbonate, and caprolactone are provided. The polymer can be fabricated into a monofilament which exhibits physical characteristics equivalent to or superior than gut sutures.

Abstract: Absorbable copolymers are fabricated from the random polymerization of 1,4 dioxane-2-one and 1,3 dioxane-2-one monomers. The copolymers are useful in forming surgical articles, including both monofilament and multifilament sutures.

Abstract: A braided polyester suture made from polyester yarn filaments having a tenacity of from about 7 to about 11 g/denier, a percent elongation to break of less than about 30 percent and the polymer from which the filaments are made has an intrinsic viscosity greater than about 0.95. The invention also provides an implantable medical device constructed from yarn filaments having these properties.

Abstract: Crystalline, low melting -Caprolactone polymers which undergo accelerated hydrolysis, and their use as lubricant coatings and/or as coatings containing bioactive agents, as carriers of viable cells, and as coatings for open-cell microporous template or constucts for tissue regeneration; the polymers bearing basic functionalities can be linked ionically or covalently to the ester chain which induces autocatalyzed hydrolysis.

Abstract: We have discovered a surgical filament suitable for use as a suture or ligature that comprises a multifilament core having a plurality of filaments that are oriented having an external surface and internal interstices; and an outer coating that bonded to the external surface of the core but does not penetrate into the internal interstices of the core and a process for making these sutures.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable blend is provided which comprises the reaction product of 1) 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 a polyhydric alcohol initiator and 2) the reaction product obtained by mixing polyalkylene glycol and a coplymer of glycolide/lactide copolymer. The blend has many uses, including that of a coating for a surgical suture.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable medical devices made totally or in part from a random polymer comprising glycolide, lactde and caprolactone are provided. The polymer can be fabricated into a monofilament which exhibits physical characteristics equivalent to or superior than gut sutures.

Abstract: An implantable medical article as well as an implantable fiber which is particularly useful for medical implants is disclosed. The fiber includes comprises a first component formed from a substantially resorbable material and a second component formed from a fiber-forming polymer.

Abstract: A lactide polymer composition combining compositional and purity limitations and catalyst optimization or addition of stabilizing agents resulting in a melt-stable polymer is disclosed. The melt-stable lactide polymer comprises a plurality of polylactide polymer chains, residual lactide in concentration of less than 2 percent and water in concentration of less than 1000 parts-per-million. A stabilizing agent in an amount sufficient to reduce depolymerization of the lactide polymer during melt-processing or alternatively, control of catalyst level at a molar ratio of monomer to catalyst greater than 3000:1 is also included in the melt-stable composition. A process for manufacture of a melt-stable lactide polymer composition includes polymerizing a lactide mixture and adding stabilizing agents sufficient to reduce depolymerization of the polylactide during melt-processing, followed by devolatilizing the polylactide to remove monomer and water.

Abstract: A deformable surgical repair device is manufactured from a block or graft copolymer. The copolymer comprises a plurality of first linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages, and mixtures thereof, and a plurality of second linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages. The plurality of first linkages comprises at least about 50 up to about 90 mole percent of the copolymer. In an alternative Claim, the deformable surgical repair device is manufactured from a blend of a first and a second absorbable polymer. The first absorbable polymer comprises a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages, and mixtures thereof. The second absorbable polymer comprises a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages.

Abstract: Medical devices or components for medical devices formed from bioabsorbable elastomers comprising a segmented copolymer are disclosed. The segmented copolymer is a copolymer of from about 30 to about 40 mole percent of lactide and the balance being substantially p-dioxanone. The segmented copolymers surprisingly exhibit elastomeric properties, and the copolymers are bioabsorbable. The combination of physical and biological properties of these elastomeric copolymers are particularly well suited for numerous medical and surgical applications.

Abstract: A degradable copolymer filament comprising an internal structure having the following separate phases: (a) a matrix phase comprised as a primary component of a polymer segment which exhibits a tensile Young's modulus of 2 GPa or less and a strength retention of 50% or more after two weeks in water at 37.degree. C., pH 7.3, and (b) a micro-dispersed phase comprised as a primary component of a polymer segment which exhibits a tensile strength of 200 MPa or more and a strength reduction greater than the matrix phase in water at 37.degree. C., pH 7.3. The weight ratio of each component in the matrix phase and dispersed phase is 50:50 to 95:5, respectively, and the dispersed phase a needle structure oriented by stretching in the fiber direction. A degradable monofilament having an excellent mechanical strength and flexibility, moderate hydrolyzability, high ligature stability and being suitable as a material of surgical absorbable suture can be obtained. A preparation process is also provided.

Abstract: A rejuvenation method includes subcutaneous implanting an inert material at the rejuvenation area. Golden threads are used as the inert material. The golden threads are implanted in subdermal space at the level of the derma inner edge. The golden threads are implanted along and/or across wrinkles and skin folds of the rejuvenation area catching skin regions behind the rejuvenation area. The golden thread input and output sites are placed in skin regions located behind the rejuvenation area. The skin is first marked with marker lines the length of which is greater than the rejuvenation area, and the inert material is implanted under these lines. The marker lines may be applied so as to intersect and to form a net. The golden thread input and output sites are placed in site of intersection of the marker lines forming the net. The golden thread is employed in conjunction with a resolving polyglycol thread. Rejuvenation is applied to skin areas on cheeks, chin, near eyes, on arms and/or thighs.

Abstract: A suture having a coating thereon of an ethylene-propylene copolymer, and a method of coating a suture which comprises the steps of coating the surface of the suture with an effective amount of a solution of ethylene-propylene copolymer in an organic solvent, and then removing the solvent from the coated suture. The copolymer preferably has an average molecular weight of from about 25,000 to about 500,000 g/mole, and a mole percentage of about 55 to 70 percent ethylene and about 30 to 45 percent propylene. The coating provides an alternative to silicone, which has previously been used as a coating for sutures, and exhibits excellent performance properties, such as tactile smoothness, pliability, and knot tiedown performance.

Abstract: A random-block copolymer having appropriate hydrolyzability, excellent flexibility and excellent mechanical strength, a monofilament thereof, and a process for producing the copolymer. The random-block copolymer comprises from 5 to 50 mol % of a random copolymer segment containing from 20 to 80 mol % of a lactide unit (A) and from 80 to 20 mol % of a caprolactone unit (B), and from 95 to 50 mol % of a block copolymer segment containing a glycolide unit (C).

Abstract: A triblock terpolymer with a structure ABA formed from a biodegradable hard segment A and a biodegradable soft segment B has as the soft segment a statistical terpolymer with a completely amorphous structure. A process for its production comprises chemically reacting the hard segment monomer with hydroxy terminal groups of the soft segment B. The absorbable polymer is suitable for the production of a surgical suture material, which is wholly or partly formed from the polymer.

Abstract: A surgical cord comprising a interlocking multifilament sheath and an interlocked multifilament core. The interlocking multifilament core construction is characterized by being braided or knitted; preferred are braided cores with a pick counts ranging between 5 and 40.

Abstract: An injection-molded product is obtained by injection molding a thermoplastic resin material. The thermoplastic resin material comprises a polyglycolic acid homopolymer or copolymer having a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## in a proportion not lower than 70 wt. % and a repeating unit derived from at least one cyclic comonomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxalate and lactide in a proportion not higher than 30 wt. %, and having the following physical properties: (a) a melt viscosity, n*, measured at a temperature of the melting point, Tm, of the polyglycolic acid homopolymer or copolymer +20.degree. C. and a shear rate of 1,000/sec, of 30-10,000 Pa.multidot.s; (b) a melting point, Tm, of at least 150.degree. C.; (c) a melt enthalpy, .DELTA.Hm, of at least 20 J/g; and (d) a density of at least 1.50 g/cm.sup.3 as measured in an unoriented, crystallized form. The injection-molded product has Izod impact strength, unnotched, 25.degree. C., of at least 20 kJ/m.sup.

Abstract: A resorbable polymer suitable for producing a medical product, comprising a triblock terpolymer with a structure ABA formed from a biodegradable hard segment A and a biodegradable soft segment B, has as the soft segment a statistical terpolymer with a completely amorphous structure. A process for its production comprises chemically reacting the hard segment monomer with hydroxy terminal groups of the soft segment B. The resorbable medical product produced from the triblock terpolymer can be a textile fabric, produced from multifilaments, a film, membrane or an injection molding.

Abstract: Mixtures of absorbable polymers and plasticizers useful in the production of medical devices are provided.

Abstract: A surgical implant or external wound dressing which functions as both a hemostat and a device to safely and effectively deliver any of a number of pharmaceuticals to targeted tissue at a controlled rate is disclosed. The device generally comprises a carrier in the form of fibers, sutures, fabrics, cross-linked solid foams or bandages, a pharmaceutical in solid micoparticulate form releasably bound to the carrier fibers, and a lipid adjuvant which aids the binding of the microparticles to the fibers as well as their function in the body.

Abstract: A catgut suture includes a cross linked gelatin coating which is substantially insoluble in tubing or storage solution. The gelatin coating is formed by immersing the gut suture in aqueous gelatin solution, fixing the gelatin in a solution of cross linking agent such as glutaraldehyde, buffering the coating, then drying the suture at a temperature of at least about 50.degree. C.

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: An analgesic agent delivery system and method of treating postoperative pain comprising an analgesic agent such as morphine and an extended-release drug delivery device. The device may be placed in the vicinity of a wound and then provide an extended-release of the analgesic agent over a period of time, thereby controlling the pain emanating from the wound.

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: An apparatus and method for ultrasonically forming a surgical suture tip from a length of unfinished surgical suture material. The apparatus includes a first tipping die having a first face for contacting a portion of the length of unfinished surgical suture material. A second tipping die having a second face is also provided. At least one mechanical actuator is provided for moving the first face of the first tipping die toward the second face of the second tipping die. A second actuator vibrates at least one of the first and second tipping dies at an ultrasonic frequency of about 15 KHz to 70 KHz. The method of ultrasonically forming a suture tip comprises the positioning a surgical suture between the first face of the tipping die and the second face of the tipping die then vibrating the dies at an appropriate frequency.

Abstract: A surgical suture fabricated from a copolymer containing dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate and glycolide is treated with gamma radiation to enhance bioabsorbability without adversely effecting handling properties.

Abstract: A method for removing residual xylene from sutures includes contacting the suture with water either subjecting the suture to an atmosphere containing water vapor or be immersing the suture in liquid water, followed by drying the suture.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for manufacturing a polypropylene monofilament suture comprising aging a polypropylene filament that has been drawn in two separate drawing steps in the range of from about 4.times.to about 8.5.times.for less than two days then annealing the polypropylene filament to provide a polypropylene suture.

Abstract: Absorbable, segmented copolymers of aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers lactide, and p-dioxanone are described. The segmented copolymers exhibit a broad range of properties, especially high strength and long elongations. This unique elastomeric behavior makes the copolymers of the present invention useful in a varity of medical device applications, especially adhesion prevention barriers and hemostatic devices.