Stapling assemblies are provided and can include a cartridge and a knitted adjunct configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. The adjunct includes a first compression zone formed of at least first fibers and second fibers that are interconnected to the first fibers and are arranged in a generally first columnar configuration such that the first compression zone has a first compression strength, and a second compression zone formed of at least the first fibers and third fibers that are different than the second fibers, in which the third fibers are interconnected to the first fibers and arranged in a generally second columnar configuration such that the second compression zone has a second compression strength, in which the first compression strength is different than the second compression strength such that the adjunct has a variable compression strength.

Multifilament yarn constructions include a core part and a sheath part, the core part comprising a plurality of core filaments, and the sheath part comprising a plurality of sheath filaments. Furthermore, members comprising the multifilament yarn construction and uses of the multifilament yarn construction and the members are provided.

Provided is a dental cord using a nanofiber multiple yarn having a large specific surface area and a large number of three-dimensional pores, thereby effectively impregnating a drug such as a hemostatic agent, and a method of manufacturing the dental cord. The dental cord includes: a nanofiber multiple yarn which is obtained by plying and twisting at least two nanofiber tape yarns and which is impregnated with a drug, wherein the at least two nanofiber tape yarns are integrated by nanofibers made of fiber moldability polymer materials and having an average diameter of less than 1 μm, to thus be formed of a nanofiber web having three-dimensional micropores.

This application describes a braided cord containing a braided sheath and optionally a core surrounded by the braided sheath. The braided cord has changing cross-sectional area ranging from 0.0004 mm.sup.2 to 30 mm.sup.2 and contains one or more sections having a tapering angle ranging from 1° to 60° when observed in one direction along the cord axis. The change in the cross-sectional area of the cord can be achieved by changing the thickness of the braided sheath and/or changing the cross-sectional area of the core when the core is present. The thickness of the braided sheath can be adjusted by changing the size and/or twist level of one or more sheath strands, changing the pick count of the braided sheath, and/or using one or more shaped sheath strands. This application also describes a process of producing the braided cord with changing cross-sectional area.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional and/or tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described.

A stable conductive myocardial patch with a negative Poisson's ratio structure is provided. The preparation method includes preparing a myocardial patch substrate with concave polygons as the structural units by weaving or knitting, and then a conductive coating is coated on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the yarns can be processed into conductive coated yarns first, and then used as the raw material to weave or knit a stable conductive myocardial patch with a negative Poisson's ratio structure. The prepared myocardial patch has a relative resistance change of less than 5% at 50% tensile strain. When the strain of the structural units is within 50%, the fabric exhibits a negative Poisson's ratio structure, which expands in the perpendicular direction of the tensile load. The fabric exhibits a negative Poisson's ratio effect and anisotropy of Young's modulus, which matches the mechanical behavior of natural myocardium.

Resorbable implants 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, and the fibers may be oriented. Coverings and receptacles made from forms of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have also been developed for use with cardiac rhythm management devices and other implantable devices. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators. The coverings and receptacles are made from meshes, webs, lattices, non-wovens, films, fibers, and foams, and contain antibiotics such as rifampin and minocycline.

The present invention refers to yarns made of hollow trilobal cross section filaments, comprising from 90 to 99% of polypropylene, and between 1 and 10% of other polyolefin resins, for the application on dental floss. This invention additionally refers to the production process of the yarns made of hollow trilobal cross section filaments. This invention additionally refers to dental floss comprising hollow trilobal cross section filaments, and the use of hollow trilobal cross section filaments for the manufacture of dental floss. The yarn described in this invention has linear density or title in the range from 400 to 1200 dtex, and it is twisted with a twist level from 10 to 160 twists per meter.

A cord comprises a braided sheath of strands having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a central hollow portion defined by the inner surface and having a volume and a core within the central hollow portion of the tubular braided sheath, such that when the cord is in a relaxed state the tubular braided sheath has a cylindrical shape and a relaxed volume of the central hollow portion wherein the core does not fill the relaxed volume of the central hollow portion of the tubular braided sheath; when the cord is in a longitudinal tensioned state, the tubular braided sheath elongates under the longitudinal tension such that a tensioned volume of at least a part of the central hollow portion of the tubular braided sheath is less than the relaxed volume; and the inner surface of the tubular braided sheath of tensioned volume contacts and cinches a surface of the core.

A bioabsorbable textile for the restoration of the joint function whereas the joint is affected by partial thickness tears, small to medium full-thickness tears, large to massive full-thickness tears, acute and chronic/degenerative tears. The bioabsorbable textile may comprise polymeric yarns interconnected to form a weave or knitted configuration, wherein said bioabsorbable textile provides a combined mechanical and biological augmentation in the target joint tissue. The bioabsorbable textile may be implanted in combination with fixation tools during open, mini-open or arthroscopic repair/augmentation procedures of joint tissue tears.