Foam-formed collagen strands and methods for forming strands involve depositing a dispersed solution of an isolated cleaned, de-fatted, enzymatically-treated (or non-enzyme treated) human-derived collagen product having a preserved amount of its natural constituents into grooves of a grooved plate, and processing the dispersed collagen product to provide a foam-formed collagen strand. Foam-formed collagen strands may be processed into threads having a matrix of reticulated pores to conduct biological materials in and through the strand, the collagen of the collagen strand comprising isolated, enzymatically-treated human derived collagen having a preserved amount of its natural collagen constituents.

Foam-formed collagen strands and methods for forming strands involve depositing a dispersed solution of an isolated cleaned, de-fatted, enzymatically-treated (or non-enzyme treated) human-derived collagen product having a preserved amount of its natural constituents into grooves of a grooved plate, and processing the dispersed collagen product to provide a foam-formed collagen strand. Foam-formed collagen strands may be processed into threads having a matrix of reticulated pores to conduct biological materials in and through the strand, the collagen of the collagen strand comprising isolated, enzymatically-treated human derived collagen having a preserved amount of its natural collagen constituents.

Provided are a suture, a suturing apparatus and applications thereof. The suture includes an elongated body, a first cam assembly and a second cam assembly both sleeved on the elongated body. The elongated body includes a first free end and a second free end. The first cam assembly and the second cam assembly each include at least one cam. The small end of the cam of the first cam assembly faces the first free end of the elongated body and the small end of the cam of the second cam assembly faces the second free end of the elongated body. A cross-sectional area of the small end of the cam is less than a cross-sectional area of the large end of the cam. A wall thickness of the cam tapers along a direction from the small end to the large end.

Provided are a suture, a suturing apparatus and applications thereof. The suture includes an elongated body, a first cam assembly and a second cam assembly both sleeved on the elongated body. The elongated body includes a first free end and a second free end. The first cam assembly and the second cam assembly each include at least one cam. The small end of the cam of the first cam assembly faces the first free end of the elongated body and the small end of the cam of the second cam assembly faces the second free end of the elongated body. A cross-sectional area of the small end of the cam is less than a cross-sectional area of the large end of the cam. A wall thickness of the cam tapers along a direction from the small end to the large end.

A composition comprising a wound-closure material physically or chemically associated with an agent that reduces scarring and improves the integrity of skin and underlying tissue in a mammalian subject. Methods for reducing or eliminating scarring or improving mammalian skin integrity comprise closing a wound with a composition, such as a suture material associated with a PHD inhibitor molecule, e.g., 1,4-DPCA.

A composition comprising a wound-closure material physically or chemically associated with an agent that reduces scarring and improves the integrity of skin and underlying tissue in a mammalian subject. Methods for reducing or eliminating scarring or improving mammalian skin integrity comprise closing a wound with a composition, such as a suture material associated with a PHD inhibitor molecule, e.g., 1,4-DPCA.

Implantable scaffolds made from biopolymer fibers. Biopolymer is dissolved in acid in a closed container made of materials inert to the acid and to the collagen to form a biopolymer solution. The solution is stirred, then centrifuged to degas it. The degassed solution is put into syringes on a holder. The number of syringes equals the number of fibers in the bundle. The syringes are mounted in a rotatable holder. Essentially equal quantities of degassed solution are extruded from the syringes to produce fibers, which are gathered and fed into a formation buffer bath. The fibers are kept taught after extrusion and dehydrated in a dehydrating solution in a dehydrating bath. The fibers are wound a collector to collect the bundle. Scaffolds then are made.

An implantable biopolymer scaffold includes at least one braided strand comprising high strength collagen fibers and synthetic fibers, wherein the collagen fibers have a greater cross-sectional deform ability than the synthetic fibers.

An implantable biopolymer scaffold includes at least one braided strand comprising high strength collagen fibers and synthetic fibers, wherein the collagen fibers have a greater cross-sectional deform ability than the synthetic fibers.

A suture or a surgical or wound closure staple is disclosed that includes protocatechuic acid. The protocatechuic acid may be coated on, or impregnated in, the suture or wound closure staple. The suture or wound closure staple may include polypropylene, nylon, polyester, and/or braided polyester, catgut, 85/15 D,L lactide/glycolide, and/or 910 Vicryl. The protocatechuic acid may coat 25% or more of the surface of the suture or surgical staple. In embodiments, the protocatechuic acid may have a purity of 95% or greater. The protocatechuic acid may include crystalline protocatechuic acid.