Teleflex Medical, Inc.

Deknatel Technology Corporation

Genzyme Corporation

University of Connecticut

Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.

James R. Olson

James R Olson

Jeffrey M Wallace

Dean Dinsmore

Jiunn-Yow Chen

Robert J Miller

Pericles Calias

Mei Wei

Montgomery T Shaw

A method for making an expanded, and optionally multi-component and/or colored PTFE monofilament is disclosed. The method includes forming a first paste by mixing a PTFE powder with a hydrocarbon solvent; forming an extrusion preform by pressing the first paste into a form; curing the extrusion preform by exposing the extrusion preform to a first temperature for a first time duration; forming a green monofilament by extruding the first paste through a die; expanding the green monofilament by exposing the green monofilament to a second temperature for a second time duration, the second time duration occurring after the first time duration; stretching the green monofilament substantially along a longitudinal axis of the green monofilament, the stretching the green monofilament occurring after the expanding the green monofilament; and sintering the green monofilament after the stretching the green monofilament.

High-strength multi-component suture

A suture made of a woven braid of fibers is provided. The suture includes: at least one first end; at least one second end comprising a colorable material wherein the second end has been colored a single color along an entire length of the second end; and at least one third end comprising a colorable material wherein only a portion of the third end is colored a continuous color. In another embodiment, a method of manufacture of a suture is provided. The method includes: braiding an elongate suture from a first end, a second end comprising a colorable material, and a third end comprising a colorable material; coloring the second end a single first color along an entire length of the second end; coloring only a first portion of the third end a second color.

Colored suture construction

A bone-repair composite includes a core and a sheath. The core is a first primary unit including a combination of a first set of yarns coated with a calcium phosphate mineral layer. The first set of yarns being made from a first group of one or more polymers. The sheath is a second primary unit a combination of a second set of yarns or one or more polymer coatings. The second set of yarns being made from a second group of one or more polymers, wherein the composite is made by covering the core with the sheath, and the composite is compression molded to allow the sheath to bond to the core. The bone-repair composite has a bending modulus comparable to that of a mammalian bone, such that the ratio of the core to the sheath is provided to maximize the mechanical strength of the bone-repair composite to mimic the mammalian bone.

Calcium phosphate polymer composite and method

A method for making an expanded, and optionally multi-component and/or colored PTFE monofilament is disclosed. The method includes forming a first paste by mixing a PTFE powder with a hydrocarbon solvent; forming an extrusion preform by pressing the first paste into a form; curing the extrusion preform by exposing the extrusion preform to a first temperature for a first time duration; forming a green monofilament by extruding the first paste through a die; expanding the green monofilament by exposing the green monofilament to a second temperature for a second time duration, the second time duration occurring after the first time duration; stretching the green monofilament substantially along a longitudinal axis of the green monofilament, the stretching the green monofilament occurring after the expanding the green monofilament; and sintering the green monofilament after the stretching the green monofilament. The method may include doing all or some of the expanding, stretching and sintering steps simultaneously.

A colored suture includes an elongate woven braid of filaments including one or more ends made of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The suture also includes second and third ends which can be colorable or dyeable before or after incorporation into the elongate woven braid. This invention provides surgeons with improved recognition of suture ends in surgery by construction of a bi-colored co-braid with at least two ends of different color schemes or patterns braided into a UHMWPE construction. One of the colored ends runs continuously from one end of the suture to the other end. The other colored end can be colored only on one half of the end. This provides a suture with two distinguishable ends, while still maintaining a continuous line of color along the length of the suture.

Degradable blend of polycaprolactone and crystallization modifier especially suitable for use in the controlled release of biologically active proteins

Drug delivery of proteins from polymeric blends

Absorbable coating and absorbable blend of polycaprolactone and crystallization modifier especially suitable for use in the coating of surgical sutures and in the controlled release of chemical or pharmaceutical agents.

Absorbable coating and blend

The rate of absorption of polycaprolactone in absorbable coating and blends is increased by blending with a crystallization modifier. The absorbable blend is suitable for use in the coating of surgical sutures and in the controlled release of chemical or pharmaceutical agents.

Method for increasing the rate of absorption of polycaprolactone

Absorbable coating and absorbable blend of polycaprolactone ant crystallization modifier especially suitable for use in the coating of surgical sutures and in the controlled release of chemical or pharmaceutical agents.

Growing community of inventors

Norwich, CT, United States of America

James R Olson