Abstract:
Exoskeletal devices or sleeves that can be used with the delivery tube of an applicator device to help dispense fluids, typically flowable biocompatible materials such as hemostatic agents, adhesives, or sealants, onto specific sites in the human body for a medical reason are disclosed. The exoskeletal devices or sleeves are rigid, pre-shaped, and snappably or slidably affixed to the delivery tube. The exoskeletal devices or sleeves do not come into contact with the flowable biocompatible fluid being dispensed, and they can be placed at any position along the delivery tube to address different application situations. Once the exoskeletal device or sleeve is in place, it can optionally be locked onto the delivery tube to prevent further sliding under stresses when pushed against tissue. Multiple exoskeletal devices or sleeves can also be used to achieve more complicated shapes for hard-to-reach anatomical sites.
Abstract:
Absorbable medical devices based on novel foams and films made from semi-crystalline, segmented copolymers of lactide and epsilon-caprolactone exhibiting long term absorption characteristics are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of producing said foams and films, and useful polymer solutions.
Abstract:
Novel bioabsorbable polymeric blends are disclosed. The blends have a first component that is a polylactide polymer or a copolymer of lactide and glycolide and a second component that is poly(p-dioxanone) polymer. The novel polymeric blends provide medical devices having dimensional stability. Also disclosed are novel bioabsorbable medical devices made from these novel polymer blends, as well as novel methods of manufacture.
Abstract:
Absorbable microspheres comprising a copolymer formed from greater than 80 to about 99 mole percent D,L-lactideg, L(−)-lactide, D(+)-lactide, or meso-lactide and combinations thereof, and about 1 to less than 20 mole percent of a different second monomer selected from the group consisting of p-dioxanone and trimethylene carbonate and combinations thereof, said microspheres having a particle size ranging from about 5 to 2000 microns. Also described herein are formulations comprising such absorbable microspheres.
Abstract:
Novel absorbable polymeric blends having bimodal molecular weight distribution are disclosed. The bimodal blends have a first component that is a polylactide polymer or a copolymer of lactide and glycolide having a bimodal molecular weight distribution, and a second component that is a poly(p-dioxanone) polymer of unimodal or bimodal molecular weight distribution. Alternately, the bimodal blends have a first component that is a polylactide polymer or a copolymer of lactide and glycolide having a unimodal molecular weight distribution, and a second component that is a poly(p-dioxanone) polymer of bimodal molecular weight distribution. The novel polymeric bimodal molecular weight blends provide medical devices having improved dimensional stability. Also disclosed are novel absorbable medical devices made from these novel bimodal polymer blends, as well as novel methods of manufacture.
Abstract:
Novel absorbable monofilament sutures and fibers having unique and improved properties are disclosed including mid-term strength retention post-implantation. Also disclosed is a novel method of manufacturing absorbable monofilament sutures and fibers. The sutures and fibers are extruded from poly(p-dioxanone-co-glycolide) copolymers.
Abstract:
Novel absorbable polymeric blends are disclosed. The blends have a first absorbable polymer type that is a polylactide polymer or a copolymer of lactide and glycolide and a second absorbable polymer type that is poly(p-dioxanone), wherein the first absorbable polymer type or the second absorbable polymer type or the first absorbable polymer type and the second absorbable polymer type additionally comprise a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component. The first polymeric component has a higher weight average molecular weight than the second polymeric component and at least one of said components is at least partially end-capped by a carboxylic acid. The novel polymeric blends are useful for manufacturing medical devices having dimensional stability, having engineered degradation and breaking strength retention in vivo. Also disclosed are novel absorbable medical devices made from these novel polymer blends, as well as novel methods of manufacture.
Abstract:
An applicator system for surgical fasteners includes an insertion tool having a shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and an insertion fork connected to the distal end of the shaft, and at least one cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners used for securing an implant to tissue. The surgical fasteners are removed one at a time from the cartridge by engaging one of the surgical fasteners with the insertion fork and removing the engaged surgical fastener from the cartridge. The insertion fork with the loaded surgical fastener is manually inserted through an implant and into tissue for securing the implant to the tissue.
Abstract:
A medical device having a contact surface exposed repeatedly to bodily tissue is disclosed. The contact surface is coated with a silicone polymer and one or more non-silicone hydrophobic polymers. The preferred medical device is a surgical needle, and the preferred coating is a polydimethylsiloxane and polypropylene wax hydrocarbon mixture. The incorporation of the non-silicone hydrophobic polymer increases the durability of the coating on the device without sacrificing lubricity.
Abstract:
Novel surgical sutures and novel medical devices made from novel semi-crystalline, glycolide-rich A-B-A triblock copolymers of glycolide and lactide, wherein said B-segment is a fully amorphous random copolymer of glycolide and lactide, for long term medical applications are disclosed. The novel polymer compositions are useful for long term absorbable surgical sutures, meshes and other medical devices, especially for patients with compromised healing. The novel sutures have improved properties and improved breaking strength retention, while still substantially absorbing within about a 120-day period post-implantation.