A medical device includes a surgical needle attached to a hollow tubular suture. The suture is constructed of macroporous hollow tubular wall that facilitates and allows tissue integration into the suture core subsequent to introduction to the body, thereby preventing suture pull-through and improving biocompatibility.

Disclosed is a joining element, especially a suture material for surgical use. The joining element is composed of a core having a length that extends along a longitudinal direction, the core including a polymer material and an osmotically active substance distributed within the polymer material, wherein the core has a volume capable of swelling along a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction upon exposure to a fluid; and, a diffusion-controlling extendable membrane that surrounds at least a portion of the length of the core, wherein the membrane is configured to regulate hydration of the core by the fluid, and is further configured to expand along the transverse direction in response to swelling of the core.

Disclosed is a joining element, especially a suture material for surgical use. The joining element is composed of a core having a length that extends along a longitudinal direction, the core including a polymer material and an osmotically active substance distributed within the polymer material, wherein the core has a volume capable of swelling along a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction upon exposure to a fluid; and, a diffusion-controlling extendable membrane that surrounds at least a portion of the length of the core, wherein the membrane is configured to regulate hydration of the core by the fluid, and is further configured to expand along the transverse direction in response to swelling of the core.

The present invention relates to biomaterials coated with an active agent eluting coating, wherein implantation of the coated biomaterial results in reduced implant-related complications and/or improved integration of the biomaterial into the host tissue and further relates to kits containing the coated biomaterial. The present invention also relates to methods and kits for coating the biomaterial. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that biomaterial coated with a cytokine eluting coating resulted in the shift of early stage macrophage polarization that were associated with positive long-term effects such as minimized capsule formation and improved tissue quality and composition as compared to uncoated biomaterials.

A medical polymer device comprising a biodegradable polymer is provided, wherein the biodegradable polymer has a crystallinity of about 10% to about 80%, and preferably from about 20% to about 60%, wherein the medical polymer device comprises a small molecule organic compound which diffuses into the biodegradable polymer, the small molecule organic compound has a molecular weight of from about 100 to about 1000 Daltons, preferably from about 150 to about 500 Daltons, and more preferably from about 150 to about 250 Daltons, and the small molecule organic compound is non-evaporating or low-evaporating. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a medical polymer device according to the present invention as well as a method for modifying a medical polymer device made from a biodegradable polymer.

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.

The present invention relates to a surgical suture having excellent biocompatibility and low friction, and to a method for manufacturing same. The suture according to the present invention has excellent biocompatibility and low friction, thereby reducing pain that may occur in a patient during suturing and minimizing the occurrence of inflammation in cells at a suture site, and also has excellent contact properties with cells, thereby capable of being used for various medical and surgical operations.

The present invention is directed to suturing systems having a needle, an elongated flexible suture having a connecting end attached to a said needle and an opposing free end and at least one elongated external beneficial filament that is attached to said needle or attached to said suture at the connecting end. The beneficial filament has a smaller cross-sectional area and lower mechanical strength than the suture and contains a medicant.

A solvatochromic indicator for detecting the presence of a bacterial infection is disclosed. An indicator consisting of Beta vulgaris and further optionally comprising Curcuma longa, isopropyl alcohol, and any combination thereof, undergoes a detectable color change in the presence of an infection. Further provided are filaments treated with the solvatochromic indicator wherein the detectable color change of the indicator is based on the pH of the tissues with a bacterial infection.

Novel, lubricious antimicrobial coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability and are readily applied in coating processes at low temperatures that do not deform the device and preserves the antimicrobial effectiveness of the antimicrobial agent. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such coatings. The catalyst provides for rapid curing, while inhibiting cross-linking at ambient temperatures, thereby improving the production pot life of the coatings.