Abstract: Unique PTFE structures comprising islands of PTFE attached to an underlying expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) structure and to methods of making such structures is disclosed. The ePTFE material may or may not have been exposed to amorphous locking temperatures. These unique structures exhibit islands of PTFE attached to and raised above the expanded PTFE structures.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a bioabsorbable, implantable substrate having a graded molecular weight distribution, comprising exposing at least a portion of the implantable substrate to electron beam irradiation. There is also provided a bioabsorbable, implantable substrate comprising a bioabsorbable polymer having a graded molecular weight distribution through at least a portion of its thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a silicone catheter including chlorhexidine gluconate, methods of making this catheter, and methods of using it. The method of making the catheter includes contacting a silicone catheter with a liquid containing chlorhexidine gluconate. Chlorhexidine gluconate is stably incorporated into the silicone catheter. The invention also relates to a silicone medical device or article including chlorhexidine gluconate and methods of making this such a medical device or article.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to Shape Memory Polymers (SMP's) comprising function groups that allow the polymers to be elastically deformed, utilized in the elastically deformed state, and subsequently returned to the original polymorphic shape.

Abstract: A suture tape construct is made of braided high strength surgical suture material. A length of round braided suture extends along the entire length of the suture tape. A middle portion of the suture tape features a flat braid added to the round braided suture. The suture is incorporated centrally into the flat braid, providing a backbone to the construct. Transition sections at either end of the flat braid are tapered to allow the suture tape to pass easily through openings during surgical procedures. The suture tape is a braided construction of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber blended with fibers of one or more long chain synthetic polymers, preferably polyester. The suture tape is indicated for high demand orthopedic repairs such as arthroscopic reconstruction for acromioclavicular joint separation, for example. The broad footprint of the suture tape is appropriate for repairs in degenerative cuff tissue where tissue pull-through may be a concern.

Abstract: The present invention combines synthetic, natural and recombinant polymers for making a self-retaining suture. In an embodiment of the present invention recombinant polyhydroxyalkanoate (rPHA) polymers and/or polyglycolic acid polymers are incorporated into the suture. In various embodiments of the invention, materials are incorporated into the suture to illicit a tissue response reaction. The tissue response reaction results in deposition of collagen around the tissue retainer in the tissue thereby increasing the retention of the tissue retainer in the tissue. In various embodiments of the invention, the core of the suture is made from a material that does not illicit a tissue response reaction. In various embodiments of the invention, the core can be chose to enhance elasticity and strength of the suture.

Abstract: A surgical suture material with an antimicrobial surface is described, the surface exhibiting a coating containing a) at least one fatty acid, b) octenidine dichloride and/or dequalinium chloride and c) optionally oligomeric lactic acid esters. In addition, a process for coating surgical suture material is described which is characterized by the fact that the thread material is wetted with a homogeneous methanolic solution of octenidine dichloride and/or dequalinium chloride and subsequently the methanol is evaporated, a coating forming on the thread surface.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for forming tissue holding devices having predetermined shapes suitable for use in surgical applications, and devices formed in accordance with such methods are also provided. These methods include press forming methods, and press forming methods in combination with profile punching. Tissue holding devices formed in accordance with such methods include various configurations for a core and a plurality of tissue holding elements extending outwardly from the core.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to recombinant spider silk proteins, nucleic acids, coding for these recombinant spider silk proteins, as well as hosts suitable for expressing those nucleic acids. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a method of aggregation of spider silk proteins and the use of the proteins in the field of biotechnology and/or medicine and other industrial fields, in particular in the manufacture of automotive parts, in the aircraft construction, in the processing of textiles and leather, as well as in the manufacture and processing of paper and the like.

Abstract: Provided herein are implantable medical devices comprising a biodegradable multiblock copolymer comprising at least three blocks; wherein the at least three blocks includes at least one inner block and two end blocks; further wherein each of the at least one inner block comprises monomers selected from the group consisting of e-caprolactone, r-butylactone, trimethylene carbonate, caprolactone derivatives, P-Dioxanone, and combinations thereof; and further wherein each of the end blocks comprises monomers selected from the group consisting of l-lactide, D-lactide, glycolide, L,D-lactide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a formulation for preparing an antimicrobial lubricious hydrophilic coating, which formulation comprises a hydrophilic polymer; an initiator; particles comprising metallic silver (i.e. Ag°); and a carrier liquid. The invention further relates to an article comprising a hydrophilic coating on a surface wherein the coating comprises a cured hydrophilic polymer and particles comprising metallic silver.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions suitable for forming medical devices and coatings for medical devices, including sutures, which include a copolymer, at least one phosphorylcholine, and a fatty acid component. Sutures and other medical devices possessing such coatings are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions suitable for forming medical devices and coatings for medical devices, including sutures, which include a copolymer, at least one hydroxamate, and a fatty acid component. Sutures and other medical devices possessing such coatings are also provided.

Abstract: Novel silver-triclosan salts are provided which have antimicrobial properties and may be used as pharmaceutical compositions or to treat articles such as medical devices, packaging materials, and textiles.

Abstract: A medical device includes a first region having a biguanide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a second region having a Lewis acid.

Abstract: A spinning solution composition which provides regenerated silk fiber that exhibits a strength and elongation close to those of natural silk fiber, is rapidly degradable in vivo, and can be caused to have ability to gradually release a drug to prevent inflammation; a process for producing such regenerated silk fiber by use of the composition; and regenerated silk fiber obtained through the process.

Abstract: A reinforced closure anchor includes a fabric layer having an adhesive side, an opposite non-adhesive side, and an outer edge. An anchor member layer having a reinforcing structure, an adhesive side, and an opposite non-adhesive side is disposed on the fabric layer. The anchor member non-adhesive side is adhered to the fabric layer adhesive side. The anchor member is disposed within the outer edge of the fabric layer.

Abstract: A biomaterial for suturing comprising a physiologically compatible support material coated with a cellular population with proliferative and/or differentiation capacity, characteristics which facilitate the regeneration of the sutured tissue. This biomaterial for suturing not only brings together the two edges of an open wound, but also contributes actively to the healing process, thereby accelerating the tissue repair process. Also disclosed are methods for making the biomaterial and methods for using the biomaterials in therapy.

Abstract: Composite fibrous constructs are made of combinations of inorganic-organic hybrid monofilament or multifilament yarns containing at least 6 weight percent of inorganic micro-/nanoparticles and organic monofilament or multifilament yarn with typical examples of the hybrid yarn matrix made of absorbable or non-absorbable thermoplastic polymers and final constructs being in the form of knitted or woven meshes and braided ligatures intended to perform under specific mechanically, biologically, and/or radiologically related functions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polymer materials useful for medical devices as well as medical devices prepared therefrom, including in particular surgical sutures, artificial ligaments, nets for tissue regeneration or vascular plugs. The present invention also concerns a method for preparing such articles, in particular filaments suitable for the preparation of sutures and nets.

Abstract: Sutures and methods of suturing with a surgical suture having a core made substantially of biological material (such as biopolymers or proteins, for example) and a cover surrounding the core. The section comprising the biological material may be provided adjacent at least a section of suture not comprising biological material. The section comprising the biological material may be provided in the form of strands or a matrix or a spongy material, which may be additionally treated with biological components such as blood, blood fractions or components, platelet-rich plasma, autologous conditioned plasma, bone marrow aspirate, growth factors, antiseptics, and antibiotics, among others.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter describes acid-derivatized perfluoropolyether (PFPE) materials and their use as coatings, sealants, and flexible fillers for devices, apparatuses, and structural parts for a variety of medical applications, and as coatings, sealants, flexible fillers, and structural parts for vessels, structures, and machinery exposed to a marine environment.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable polyurethane block copolymer with having hard and soft segments is formed by the reaction between a diisocyanate such as lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate and a mixture of (i) an aromatic amide or an amino acid derivative and (ii) a polyether glycol and/or an absorbable elastomeric polymer derived from the reaction between dialkylene glycol and a cyclic bioabsorbable monomer such as trimethylene carbonate, caprolactone, or dioxanone.

Abstract: An antimicrobial coating is provided for use on textiles, medical devices, packaging materials, and the like. The antimicrobial coating includes a halogenated furanone.

Abstract: Halogenated cyclic lactones, polymers made from halogenated cyclic lactones and compositions containing such polymers provide antimicrobial properties and are suitable for use in making textiles, medical devices, delivery agents, packaging materials, coatings for such items, and the like.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymer compositions have backbones with first and second divalent saturated aliphatic moieties, a divalent saturated aliphatic secondary alcohol moiety, and a trivalent saturated aliphatic moiety. Hydrolytically labile ester bonds joined together these moieties. These polyesters may be polycondensation reaction products of a diol, a triol and a diacid. A molar ratio of the first divalent saturated aliphatic moiety, the divalent saturated aliphatic secondary alcohol moiety, and the trivalent saturated aliphatic moiety to the second divalent saturated aliphatic moiety is in the range of about 0.85 to about 1.5. Preferably, these polyesters are non-cytotoxic, biocompatible, bioabsorbable, or exhibit shape memory behavior with at least one transition temperature of greater than about 30° C. and less than about 100° C. and most preferably exhibit each of these qualities. The compositions may be adapted for a wide variety of uses, including medical applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymers made by genetically engineering microorganisms for making a self-retaining suture. In an embodiment of the present invention the genetically engineering microorganisms synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the genetically engineering microorganisms synthesize polybetahydroxybutyrate (PHB) polymers. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the self-retaining sutures can be made from a copolymer such as polyhydroxybutyratevalerate (PHBV), where the genetically engineering microorganisms produces PHA polymers as the monofilament base material and a different genetically engineering microorganisms produces polyhydroxybutyratevalerate (PHBV) polymers. In various embodiments of the invention, recombinant expressed self-retaining suture materials have a melting point in the range from between approximately 40° C. to approximately 180° C.

Abstract: Filament-reinforced composite fibers made from a plurality of filaments and a matrix are useful in forming medical devices such as sutures and meshes.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery of functionalized triclosan monomers and oligomers that, when incorporated into a substrate of, or applied as part of a coating to, medical devices and/or consumer products may extend the duration of antimicrobial properties to the medical devices and/or consumer products.

Abstract: The disclosure provides hemostatic compositions useful to promote hemostasis at active bleeding wound sites. The hemostatic compositions include an article containing cellulose, e.g., cotton gauze, and a cross-linked polysaccharide ionically linked to the cellulose. Methods of making and using the hemostatic compositions are also provided.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and compositions for the management of infection of topical lesions, each of the devices and compositions containing protonated/acidified nucleic acids either on its surface, or integrated into the device. These modified nucleic acids are effective as bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic agents without regard to the class of bacteria, so are especially useful when diagnosis is difficult or when multiple infectious organisms are present. The antibiotic activity of nucleic acids of the invention is not dependent on either the specific sequence of the nucleic acid or the length of the nucleic acid molecule. The nucleic acids used in the invention are protonated/acidified to give a pH when dissolved in water of less than pH 7 to about 1, more preferably less than pH 4.5 to about 1, and even more preferably less than pH 2 to about 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongated surgical repair product comprising a load-bearing member containing strands comprising a biocompatible High-performance polyethylene (HPPE) yarn substantially consisting of a plurality of ultra-high molar mass polyethylene (UHMWPE) filaments, wherein the (UHMWPE) filaments have an effective diameter of at most micrometer. The product shows higher knot tensile strength than known products, and can contain relatively heavy strands without loosing favorable properties. The invention also relates to a method of making said elongated product.

Abstract: A resorbable implantable device, such as a suture or prosthesis, comprising one or more silk elements made at least partially (poly)alanine Wild silk proteins of a saturnid moth or analogues thereof.

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: The present disclosure describes a coating for a surgical filament including a vinyl lactam polymer and a lactone polymer.

Abstract: A novel high tensile strength semi-absorbable composite suture with minimized non-absorbable mass. The suture has a core made from a bioabsorbable polymer. The core is covered by a braided sheath. The braided sheath is made from an absorbable yarn and a bioabsorbable yarn. The bioabsorbable yarn is made from a least one filament of a bioabsorbable polymer. The nonabsorbable yarn is made from at least one filament of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an absorbable crystalline segmented copolymer comprising a polyalkylene succinate segment end-grafted in a single-step with a mixture of monomers comprising caprolactone, l-lactide, and/or glycolide. The present invention is also directed toward an absorbable crystalline segmented copolymer arising from a trihydroxy compound that is reacted in a single-step with a mixture of monomer comprising ?-caprolactone, l-lactide, and/or glycolide to produce monocentric polyaxial polymers.

Abstract: Composite fibrous constructs are made of combinations of inorganic-organic hybrid monofilament or multifilament yarns containing at least 6 weight percent of inorganic micro-/nanoparticles and organic monofilament or multifilament yarn with typical examples of the hybrid yarn matrix made of absorbable or non-absorbable thermoplastic polymers and final constructs being in the form of knitted or woven meshes and braided ligatures intended to perform under specific mechanically, biologically, and/or radiologically related functions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to Shape Memory Polymers (SMP's) comprising function groups that allow the polymers to be elastically deformed, utilized in the elastically deformed state, and subsequently returned to the original polymorphic shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoresponsive adhesives. The invention further relates to methods for the reversible attachment of retinal implants, other implants, and drug delivery devices.

Abstract: A device is formed by the process into a bone screw or fastener, wherein the head has a degree of polymer alignment and strength, and wherein the shank has a higher degree of polymer alignment and strength. In practice of the present invention, the polymer slug is pressed into the die cavity by the actuation of ram press, causing the slug to conform to the die cavity. Through this process, the polymer molecular orientation is aligned to different degrees, in different zones of the device.

Abstract: A surgical suture material with an antimicrobial surface is described, the surface exhibiting a coating containing a) at least one fatty acid, b) octenidine dichloride and/or dequalinium chloride and c) optionally oligomeric lactic acid esters. In addition, a process for coating surgical suture material is described which is characterized by the fact that the thread material is wetted with a homogeneous methanolic solution of octenidine dichloride and/or dequalinium chloride and subsequently the methanol is evaporated, a coating forming on the thread surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline copolymers of l-lactide and a minor portion of a cyclic monomer, preferably ?-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: Monomer addition methodology is provided to adjust monomer addition rates to a polymerization reactor. Advantages of the invention include control of bioabsorbable copolymer structure, improvement of monomer conversion, control of reaction temperature, and reduced reaction time. The overall result is an improved process and enhanced product performance. The technology is particularly useful in the copolymerization of monomers with different reactivity ratios, such as glycolide/lactide copolymers and glycolide/caprolactone copolymers. Monomer reactivity ratios and reaction kinetics are utilized to adjust monomer addition rates.

Abstract: An absorbable crystalline, monocentric polyaxial copolymer comprising a central carbon or nitrogen atom and at least three axes, each of which includes an amorphous flexible component adjacent and originating from the central atom and a rigid, crystallizable component extending outwardly from the amorphous, flexible component is disclosed along with the use of such copolymer in medical devices which may contain a bioactive agent. The present invention also relates to a suture, stents, stent mantles and sealing devices made from the polyaxial copolymer.

Abstract: An absorbable crystalline, monocentric polyaxial copolymer comprising a central carbon or nitrogen atom and at least three axes, each of which includes an amorphous flexible component adjacent and originating from the central atom and a rigid, crystallizable component extending outwardly from the amorphous, flexible component is disclosed along with the use of such copolymer in medical devices which may contain a bioactive agent. The present invention also relates to a suture, stents, stent mantles and sealing devices made from the polyaxial copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline copolymers of l-lactide and a minor portion of a cyclic monomer, preferably ?-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: Methods and systems related to sealing punctures in blood vessels (such as following an angio or PTCA procedure) are disclosed. The position of a distal end of an introducer assembly in tissue is determined using a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is connected to the proximal end of the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly has a fluid path between its distal end and its proximal end. Measured blood pressure is outputted as an indication of the position of the distal end of the introducer assembly in the tissue. Proper positioning of a seal is confirmed by placing the introducer assembly such that its distal end is in tissue outside a puncture in a blood vessel wall and observing a characteristic of blood at the proximal end of the introducer assembly.

Abstract: An absorbable crystalline, monocentric polyaxial copolymer comprising a central carbon or nitrogen atom and at least three axes, each of which includes an amorphous flexible component adjacent and originating from the central atom and a rigid, crystallizable component extending outwardly from the amorphous, flexible component is disclosed along with the use of such copolymer in medical devices which may contain a bioactive agent. The present invention also relates to a suture, stents, stent mantles and sealing devices made from the polyaxial copolymer.