In one embodiment, the present invention is a braided filament including a plurality of strands each having at least one ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber and at least one polyester fiber wherein the quantity of certain types of fibers in a first strand is the same as the quantity of the same type of fibers in a second strand. In a variant, one additional strand of the braided filament is a monofilament strand. In another variant, each strand is homogeneous with respect to the other strands and is made exclusively from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers and polyester fibers such that each strand has the same distribution and quantity of fiber types.

Resorbable implants, coverings and receptacles comprising poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have been developed. The implants are preferably sterilized, and contain less than 20 endotoxin units per device as determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and are particularly suitable for use in procedures where prolonged strength retention is necessary, and can include one or more bioactive agents. The implants may be made from fibers and meshes of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, or by 3d printing molding, pultrusion or other melt or solvent processing method. The implants, or the fibers preset therein, may be oriented. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators. The coverings, receptacles and implants described herein, may be made from meshes, webs, lattices, non-wovens, films, fibers, foams, molded, pultruded, machined and 3D printed forms.

Resorbable implants, coverings and receptacles comprising poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have been developed. The implants are preferably sterilized, and contain less than 20 endotoxin units per device as determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and are particularly suitable for use in procedures where prolonged strength retention is necessary, and can include one or more bioactive agents. The implants may be made from fibers and meshes of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, or by 3d printing molding, pultrusion or other melt or solvent processing method. The implants, or the fibers preset therein, may be oriented. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators. The coverings, receptacles and implants described herein, may be made from meshes, webs, lattices, non-wovens, films, fibers, foams, molded, pultruded, machined and 3D printed forms.

Nerve scaffolds are described that include a tubular outer housing fabricated from a biocompatible polymer, within which are disposed a plurality of carbon nanofiber yarns. The carbon nanofiber yarns, which can be separated by distances roughly corresponding to an average nerve fiber diameter, provide surfaces on which nerve fibers can regrow. Because the proximate carbon nanofiber yarns can support individual nerve fibers, a nerve can be regenerated with a reduced likelihood of undesirable outcomes, such as nerve pain or reduced nerve function.

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.

A braided filamentary device, in one embodiment, includes a substantially flat morphology having a length, a width, and a height, and a pick count of at least about 50 picks per inch. The filamentary device is adapted to maintain its width while under a tension.

The invention relates to a method for forming a mesh having a barbed suture attached thereto, comprising the following steps: a) producing a knitted structure on a knitting machine comprising at least one needle-bed with three guide bars, on a length corresponding to N stitches ranging from 1 to N, wherein i) a first knit portion is produced along stitches ranging from 1 to x, where 1<x<N, ii) a second knit portion is produced for stitches ranging from (x+1) to N, in which the knitting pattern produces at least one weft stitched chain stitch, b) cutting the second knit portion on both sides of the weft stitched chain stitch and along an edge separating the second knit portion from the first knit portion, while maintaining the weft stitched chain stitch attached to the first knit portion.

The invention also relates to the mesh obtained by this method.

A surgical braid comprising a plurality of fibers arranged in a tubular braid, the tubular braid comprising an outer wall and at least first and second sections, the first section having a first core and the second section having a second core; and the plurality of fibers comprising a fiber having first color, the fiber having a first color being braided into the outer wall of the first section and forming at least art of the second core in the second section.

An assistance system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures includes an automated fixture that can comprise an articulation arm and a target device holder. The target device holder can be positioned and oriented to reduce operator strain during a manufacturing or inspection process. The assistance system includes a user input device enabling the operator to move between positions to assist in such processes. The assistance system can also be trained by capturing sequences of position data corresponding to a manufacturing or inspection process.

A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor.