COMBINING SYNTHETIC, NATURAL POLYMERS AND RECOMBINANT POLYMERS TO FORM MONOFILAMENT AND MULTIFILAMENT SELF-RETAINING SUTURES

摘要

The present invention combines synthetic, natural and recombinant polymers for making a self-retaining suture. In an embodiment of the present invention recombinant polyhydroxyalkanoate (rPHA) polymers and/or polyglycolic acid polymers are incorporated into the suture. In various embodiments of the invention, materials are incorporated into the suture to illicit a tissue response reaction. The tissue response reaction results in deposition of collagen around the tissue retainer in the tissue thereby increasing the retention of the tissue retainer in the tissue. In various embodiments of the invention, the core of the suture is made from a material that does not illicit a tissue response reaction. In various embodiments of the invention, the core can be chose to enhance elasticity and strength of the suture.