Japan Medical Supply Co., Ltd.

Biomaterials Universe, Inc.

Gunze Co., Ltd.

Tatsuya Kawai

Michiaki Yoshimoto

Takashi Matsuda

Yoshito Ikada

Shokyu Gen

Toshiyuki Okada

A catheter is provided which can be safely implanted in the living body for extended periods of time. At least that portion of the catheter which contacts the tissue comprises a cuff of porous material which is made of a vinyl alcohol polymer to which, preferably, collagen has been chemically grafted.

Catheter and method for the manufacture thereof

A flow rate regulator includes a first cylindrical member, a second cylindrical member and a disc-shaped member to regulate, the flow rate of liquid flowing through a transfusion unit. The liquid is introduced into the second cylindrical member via an inlet port. It flows through the disc-shaped member via a through hole and flows further along a peripherally extending groove in the first cylindrical member. Then, it is discharged from the first cylindrical member via an outlet port after the flow rate is regulated as required. The disc-shaped member is fitted in the second cylindrical member so as not to be rotated relative to the latter, and the sub-assembly is then fitted into the first cylindrical member. The peripherally extending groove is so designed that its cross-sectional area is gradually varied on the bottom portion of the first cylindrical member. The through hole in the disc-shaped member is communicated with the peripherally extending groove. A position where the through hole in the disc-shaped member is communicated with the peripherally extending groove in the first cylindrical member is varied by rotating the first cylindrical member so that a cross-sectional area of the peripherally extending groove is varied correspondingly. This allows the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the regulator to be adjusted as required.

Flow rate regulator for liquid medicine or blood transfusion unit

Braided multifilament sutures exhibiting excellent tie-down performance and knot security are provided. The sutures of the invention comprise synthetic, textured braided sutures coated with a coating composition for lubricating the sutures.

Coated sutures exhibiting improved knot security

Plastic molded articles having characteristic properties of both shape-memory and biodegradability and a process for preparing the same are disclosed. The molded products consist of homopolymers of lactide or glycolide or copolymers of lactide and glycolide. The molded articles of this invention are particularly useful for a variety of medical devices.

Plastic molded articles with shape memory property

A suture coating composition comprising a sucrose fatty acid ester and sutures coated therewith whereby said sutures exhibit improved smoothness in tie-down properties and knotting can be readily accomplished using said suture.

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Hiroshima, Japan

Tatsuya Kawai