US 9,011,439 B2 · Selectively absorbable/biodegradable, fibrous composite constructs and applications thereof

Abstract

A family of selectively absorbable/biodegradable, fibrous composite constructs includes different combinations of biostable and absorbable/biodegradable yarns assembled as initially interdependent, load-bearing components, transitioning to exhibit independent functional properties during in vivo end-use. The family of constructs consists of two groups, one group is made of fiber-reinforced composites of high compliance, absorbable matrices of segmented polyaxial copolyesters reinforced with multifilament yarn constructs, which are combinations of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers and at least one absorbable/biodegradable fiber selected from silk fibers and multifilament yarns made from linear segmented, l-lactide copolyesters and poly (3-hydroxyalkanoates, are useful in orthopedic, maxillofacial, urological, vascular, hernial repair and tissue engineering applications. The second group is made of coated and uncoated, warp-knitted mesh constructs for use in hernial, vascular, and urological tissue repair and tissue engineering.

Claims35

Dependent claims

An absorbable/biodegradable implant, fibrous composite construct comprising a fiber-reinforced matrix, the fiber-reinforced matrix comprising a biodegradable, segmented, polyaxial copolyester, the fiber-reinforced matrix comprising from about 10 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the absorbable/biodegradable implant, fibrous composite construct, the fiber-reinforced matrix further comprising

i) a reinforcement comprising less than 40 percent by weight of at least one biostable yarn comprising a multifilament yarn of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, wherein the biostable yarn of the reinforcement is surrounded by the fiber-reinforced matrix,
ii) and at least one absorbable/biodegradable yarn comprising a heterochain polymer,
wherein the at least one biostable yarn and the at least one absorbable/biodegradable yarn assembled as initially interdependent, load-bearing components, and
wherein the biostable and biodegradable yarns transition during in vivo end-use to exhibit independent functional mechanical properties.

1 more element

A absorbable/biodegradable, composite warp-knitted mesh comprising:

a fiber-reinforced interdependent, interlaced patterned mesh further comprising a biodegradable, segmented, polyaxial copolyester, the absorbable/biodegradable, composite warp-knitted mesh including a fiber reinforcement,
i) the fiber reinforcement comprising less than 40 percent by weight of at least one biostable yarn comprising a multifilament yarn of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and at least one absorbable/biodegradable yarn, and
ii) wherein the at least one absorbable/biodegradable yarn comprises a heterochain polymer,
wherein the at least one biostable yarn and the at least one absorbable/biodegradable yarn assembled as initially interdependent, load-bearing components,
wherein the biodegradable, segmented polyaxial copolyester and biostable yarn interlace to form a mesh that defines intersections and voids between the biodegradable, segmented polyaxial copolyester and biostable yarn, and
wherein the biostable and biodegradable yarns transition during in vivo end-use to exhibit independent functional mechanical properties.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Selectively absorbable/biodegradable, fibrous composite constructs and applications thereof

Life of this patent

Selectively absorbable/biodegradable, fibrous composite constructs and applications thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35