Abstract:
Polymeric fibers, and apparatuses for and methods of processing such fibers to be useful as sutures, where at least one end of a fiber includes a termination feature. The termination feature is formed through the application of energy to a coiled region of the fiber.
Abstract:
A method of making a composite prosthetic device, includes providing a support layer, juxtaposing a layer of an absorbable material with the support layer, and disposing an absorbable adhesive between the support layer and the layer of an absorbable material. The method includes heating the layers for melting the absorbable adhesive so as to bond the support layer with the layer of the absorbable material. Before the heating step, the moisture content of at least one of the layers is increased for improving thermal conductivity between the layers so as to enhance the strength of the bonds formed between the layers. The moisture content may be increased by exposing at least one of the layers to an environment having elevated relative humidity. In one embodiment, the support layer is polypropylene mesh, the layer of the absorbable material is oxidized regenerated cellulose, and the absorbable adhesive is polydioxanone.
Abstract:
A pharyngeal retractor device and implantation methods are provided for use in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The device includes a retracting element (601) and a tissue engaging element (600) that promotes tissue ingrowth around or onto the retracting element. The device is implanted in tissue space beneath the pharyngeal wall to alter the shape of the wall. The device may be implanted through the oral cavity alone or by using a trocar (400) or a hand-held delivery system (1000) to deliver the device through the pharyngeal wall. Alternatively, the device may be implanted using an open, direct visualization approach from the side of a patient's neck.
Abstract:
A surgical suture (100) includes a shaft (102) having a leading end (104), a trailing end (106), and an outer surface (114) extending between the leading and trailing ends. The surgical suture includes a plurality of flexible protrusions (108) extending from the shaft, and a lumen (960) extending between the leading and trailing ends of the shaft. The shaft (902) includes a plurality of openings (975) formed in the outer surface thereof that are in communication with the lumen. The shaft includes a first axial opening at the leading end thereof in communication with the lumen and a second axial opening at the trailing end thereof in communication with the lumen. A flowable material may be disposed in the lumen. After the surgical suture is implanted, the flowable material is adapted to pass from the lumen and through the plurality of openings in the outer surface of the shaft for contacting tissue surrounding the suture.
Abstract:
A composition for reducing pain at a surgical wound site or trauma site comprising oxidized regenerated cellulose and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, where the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is an acid having a secondary amine group; and a method of reducing localized pain at a surgical wound site or trauma site.
Abstract:
Polymeric fibers, and apparatuses for and methods of processing such fibers to be useful as sutures, where at least one end of a fiber includes a termination feature. The termination feature is formed through the application of energy to a coiled region of the fiber.
Abstract:
An auxiliary airway for treating obstructive sleep apnea is formed by implanting an elongated conduit beneath a pharyngeal wall of a pharynx. The elongated conduit has a proximal end in communication with a first region of the pharynx, a distal end in communication with a second region of the pharynx, and a section extending beneath the pharyngeal wall for bypassing an oropharynx region of the pharynx. The system includes a first opening in the pharyngeal wall in communication with a first opening in the elongated conduit, and a second opening in the pharyngeal wall in communication with a second opening in the elongated conduit. The system has a first anastomotic connector for coupling the first opening in the pharyngeal wall with the first opening in the conduit, and a second anastomotic connector for coupling the second opening in the pharyngeal wall with the second opening in the conduit.