A staple cartridge comprising a tissue thickness compensator is disclosed. The tissue thickness compensator comprises an external layer and tubular elements. The tubular elements are interconnected and positioned within the external layer. The tubular elements comprise apertures defined therein and the tubular elements are configured to collapse as pressure is applied to the tissue thickness compensator by tissue during the firing motion. The apertures enable fluids from the tissue to permeate the tissue thickness compensator.

A swellable polymer based fibre and method of preparing the same for use as, for example, a wound dressing. The fibres may be formed from an aqueous dope solution containing a primary polymer and povidone-iodine (PVP-I). The aqueous dope solution is spun or extruded into a coagulation bath via a multi-hole spinneret head to form a multifilament fibre.

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 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.

The present invention is in the fields of medicinal chemistry, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The invention provides compositions comprising one or more collagen mimetic peptides, optionally attached to one or more therapeutic compounds or one or more imaging compounds, for use in methods of treating, preventing, ameliorating, curing and diagnosing certain diseases and physical disorders in humans and veterinary animals, as well as methods of manufacturing such composition. The invention also provides medical devices comprising one or more such compositions of the invention. The invention also provides methods of use of such compositions and devices in treating and diagnosing certain diseases and physical disorders in humans and veterinary animals, including ocular diseases or disorders, skin diseases or disorders, certain cancers, particularly intraluminal cancers, gastrointestinal diseases or disorders, genitourinary tract diseases or disorders, fibrotic diseases/disorders and rheumatic diseases/disorders.

An absorbable iron-based instrument is provided having an iron-based substrate, a zinc-containing protector in contact with the iron-based substrate, and a degradable polyester in contact with the iron-based substrate and/or the zinc-containing protector. The range of the ratio of the mass of the zinc-containing protector to the mass of the iron-based substrate is 1:200 to 1:2. In the degradable polyester, the mass fraction of a low-molecular-weight part with a molecular weight of less than 10,000 is less than or equal to 5%; alternatively, in the degradable polyester, the mass fraction of a residual monomer is less than or equal to 2%.