Surgically implanted devices having reduced scar tissue formation

Abstract

This invention is an anti-proliferative drug placed onto or within a sterile sheet or mesh that is designed to be placed between internal body tissues to prevent the formation of post-operative adhesions, which adhesions are really scar tissue formation. This mesh or gauze onto or into which the drug is placed may be either a permanent implant or it may be biodegradable. By impregnating an existing product such as the Johnson & Johnson SURGICEL™ absorbable hemostat gauze-like sheet with an anti-proliferative drug such as Rapamycin or Taxol, the biodegradable, drug impregnated mesh would act as a barrier to cell proliferation and hence be a deterrent to the formation of adhesions. Another embodiment of this invention is an anti-proliferative drug attached to a bandage that is placed onto a cut in the skin to decrease scar tissue formation. Still another embodiment of the invention is an anti-proliferative drug that is attached to a surgical suture or coated onto a surgical staple both of which are used for connecting human tissues. The suture or staple then being more capable for decreasing cellular proliferation where the suture or staple material passes through the human tissue.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.