This disclosure concerns suburethral and pelvic support structures which utilize tissue soldering materials instead of, or in addition to, traditional tissue anchors and suture knots. It further concerns methods of treating patients that includes implanting these structures and activating the tissue soldering materials to attach the structures to a tissue in the body of the patient.

A method of preparing an implantable biomaterial includes combining a polymer with a neuro-regenerative agent or immunosuppressive agent selected from a group comprising at least one of: rapamycin, cyclosporine A, or analogs thereof, melting the polymer, and extruding the polymer and the neuro-regenerative agent or immunosuppressive agent to form the implantable biomaterial.

A method of preparing an implantable biomaterial includes combining a polymer with a neuro-regenerative agent or immunosuppressive agent selected from a group comprising at least one of: rapamycin, cyclosporine A, or analogs thereof, melting the polymer, and extruding the polymer and the neuro-regenerative agent or immunosuppressive agent to form the implantable biomaterial.

Compositions-of-matter comprising a matrix made of one or more, preferably two or more elastic layers and one or more viscoelastic layer are disclosed. The compositions-of-matter are characterized by high water-impermeability and optionally by self-recovery. Processes of preparing the compositions-of-matter and uses thereof as tissue substitutes or for repairing damaged tissues are also disclosed.

A medical device includes a surgical needle, an elongated suture, and an intervening segment. The elongated suture has a first end proximate to the needle and a second end located away from the needle. The elongated suture also includes a plurality of fibers defining a mesh wall between the first and second ends. A plurality of pores extend through the mesh wall, at least some which are in the macroporous size range of greater than 200 microns for facilitating tissue integration when introduced into a body. The intervening segment is disposed between and connected to either or both ends of the elongated suture and the needle. The intervening segment includes one or more fibers of the plurality of fibers and has a cross-sectional dimension smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of the mesh wall such that the intervening segment facilitates indirect attachment of the elongated macroporous mesh suture to the needle.

A medical device includes a surgical needle, an elongated suture, and an intervening segment. The elongated suture has a first end proximate to the needle and a second end located away from the needle. The elongated suture also includes a plurality of fibers defining a mesh wall between the first and second ends. A plurality of pores extend through the mesh wall, at least some which are in the macroporous size range of greater than 200 microns for facilitating tissue integration when introduced into a body. The intervening segment is disposed between and connected to either or both ends of the elongated suture and the needle. The intervening segment includes one or more fibers of the plurality of fibers and has a cross-sectional dimension smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of the mesh wall such that the intervening segment facilitates indirect attachment of the elongated macroporous mesh suture to the needle.

The present invention relates, in part, to sutures which promote wound closure and/or healing. In particular, the present invention provides fibrin microthread sutures that mimic the mechanical behavior of a target tissue thereby reducing, for example, scarring, inflammation, and cell death at the ligature site, including monofilament sutures.

The present invention relates, in part, to sutures which promote wound closure and/or healing. In particular, the present invention provides fibrin microthread sutures that mimic the mechanical behavior of a target tissue thereby reducing, for example, scarring, inflammation, and cell death at the ligature site, including monofilament sutures.

Novel absorbable polymer blends are disclosed. The blends are useful for manufacturing medical devices having engineered degradation and breaking strength retention in vivo. The blends consist of a first absorbable polymeric component and a second absorbable polymeric component. The weight average molecular weight of the first polymeric component is higher than the weight average molecular weight of the second polymeric component. At least at least one of said components is at least partially end-capped by a carboxylic acid group. Further aspects are medical devices made therefrom.

Novel absorbable polymer blends are disclosed. The blends are useful for manufacturing medical devices having engineered degradation and breaking strength retention in vivo. The blends consist of a first absorbable polymeric component and a second absorbable polymeric component. The weight average molecular weight of the first polymeric component is higher than the weight average molecular weight of the second polymeric component. At least at least one of said components is at least partially end-capped by a carboxylic acid group. Further aspects are medical devices made therefrom.