A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge deck, a longitudinal slot defined within the staple cartridge, staple cavities defined in the deck, and a tissue thickness compensator is disclosed. The tissue thickness compensator comprises lumens. Each of the lumens comprise a cross-section and are formed by a tubular element. The lumens are laterally-oriented and spaced on the cartridge deck along the longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge. Each lumen extends across the width of the staple cartridge such that each lumen overlaps a plurality of the staple cavities and the longitudinal slot. The lumens are configured to collapse when pressure is applied to the lumens during a firing motion.

Novel, lubricious coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability and are readily applied in coating processes a low temperatures that do not deform the device. 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 provides polypeptides comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from collagen type VI or a fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of said fragment, variant of derivative thereof, wherein the polypeptide, fragment, variant, fusion or derivative is capable of killing or attenuating the growth of microorganisms. Related aspects of the invention provide corresponding isolated nucleic acid molecules, vectors and host cells for making the same. Additionally provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention, as well as methods of use of the same in the treatment and/or prevention of microbial infections and in wound care. Also provided are a method of killing microorganisms in vitro and a medical device associated with the pharmaceutical composition.

A staple cartridge assembly comprising a tissue thickness compensator is disclosed. The tissue thickness compensator comprises a first fibrous, woven material and a second fibrous, woven material. The first fibrous, woven material comprises a density which is different than the density of the second fibrous, woven material. The tissue thickness compensator is configured to expand upon contact with a fluid in order to apply a compressive force to tissue captured within staples.

A packaged antimicrobial suture. The packaged antimicrobial suture includes an inner package having a source of antimicrobial agent, the source of antimicrobial agent comprising a plurality of patches, each patch having a pair of antimicrobial material reservoirs; at least one suture positioned within the inner package, the at least one suture comprising one or more surfaces; and an outer package having an inner surface, the outer package having the inner package positioned within; wherein the at least one suture, the inner package and the inner surface of the outer package are subjected to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the at least one suture and the inner package, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the at least one suture and the inner package. A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture is also provided.

The present invention provides a formulation comprising a biodegradable polyester compounded with a compound of Formula (I): AA-AA-AA-X-Y. The invention further provides methods of making these formulations, medical devices such as sutures comprising said formulations and methods of making said devices.

In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise one or more capsules and/or pockets comprising at least one medicament therein. In at least one embodiment, staples can be fired through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules. In certain embodiments, a firing member, or knife, can be advanced through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules.

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.

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.

Methods and compositions are described for use in encouraging angiogenesis and skin healing as may be utilized in wound treatment as well as in encouragement of angiogenesis in disease. Compositions include an effective amount of at least one of a flavonoid and a chlorogenic acid that are natural extracts of Parrotia persica, or their derivatives, analogues, or homologs. Compounds based upon these natural extracts have been found to be highly effective in vascular formation and skin closure while exhibiting low toxicity.