Copolymers of a 4,4'-(ethylenedioxy)bis benzoate, an alkylene diol and a (2-alkenyl or alkyl) succinic anhydride; and surgical devices formed therefrom

Claim 2

A surgical device formed from a copolymer consisting essentially of a multiplicity of recurring A and B units having the following general formula: ##STR4## wherein x and y are numbers having average values such that the B units comprise from 1 to 55 weight percent of the copolymer and the A units comprise the remainder, n is 2 to 8, and R represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical with a chain length of 4 to 30 carbon atoms, or a mixture of such radicals with different chain lengths.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is in the form of a filament.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2, wherein n is 4 and R has chain lengths of 14 to 18 carbon atoms.

Claim 5

The device of claim 3, wherein the B unit comprises from 20 to 40 weight percent of the copolymer.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4, wherein R 1 is a hexadec-2-enyl group.

Claim 7

The device of claim 5, wherein the B unit comprises about 30 weight percent of the copolymer.

Claim 8

The device of claim 4, wherein R is a mixture of tetradec-2-enyl and octadec-2-enyl groups.

Claim 9

The device of claim 7, wherein the tetradec-2-enyl and octadec-2-enyl groups are present in about a 50/50 mole ratio.

Claim 10

A drawn and oriented, flexible thermoplastic surgical filament, comprising a copolymer consisting essentially of a multiplicity of recurring A and B units having the following general formula: ##STR5## wherein x and y are numbers having average values such that the B units comprise from 1 to 55 weight percent of the copolymer and the A units comprise the remainder, n is 2 to 8, and R represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical with a chain length of 4 to 30 carbon atoms, or a mixture of such radicals with different chain lengths, a size 3/0 strand of said filament having the following combination of mechanical properties: Knot strength--at least 20,000 psi Tensile strength--at least 30,000 psi Young's modulus--less than about 600,000 psi Elongation--from about 20% to 80%.

Claim 11

A drawn and oriented, flexible thermoplastic surgical filament, comprising a copolymer consisting essentially of a multiplicity of recurring A and B units having the following general formula: ##STR5## wherein x and y are numbers having average values such that the B units comprise from 1 to 55 weight percent of the copolymer and the A units comprise the remainder, n is 2 to 8, and R represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical with a chain length of 4 to 30 carbon atoms, or a mixture of such radicals with different chain lengths, a size 3/0 strand of said filament having the following combination of mechanical properties: Knot strength--at least 20,000 psi Tensile strength--at least 30,000 psi Young's modulus--less than about 600,000 psi Elongation--from about 20% to 80%.

Claim 12

The filament of claim 9, in which a size 3/0 strand has the following combination of mechanical properties: Knot strength--30,000 to 65,000 psi Tensile strength--45,000 to 100,000 psi Young's modulus--75,000 to 600,000 psi Elongation--from 25% to 55%.

Claim 13

The filament of claim 9 in which a size 3/0 strand has the following combination of mechanical properties: Knot strength--30,000 to 65,000 psi Tensile strength--60,000 to 100,000 psi Young's modulus--75,000 to 250,000 psi Elongation--from 25% to 55%.

Claim 14

The filament of claim 2, which comprises a sterile suture.

Claim 15

The filament of claim 12, in which the suture has a surgical needle attached to at least one end.

Claim 16

The device of claim 1, characterized by the fact it is in the form of a clip.

Claim 17

A woven or knitted surgical fabric comprised of filaments of claim 2.

Claim 18

A fabric of claim 15, in a seamless tubular construction.

Claim 19

A fibrillar surgical aid comprising knitted, woven or nonwoven filaments of claim 2.

Claim 20

A surgical suture package comprising a sterile enclosure and therein a sterile filament of claim 12.