Braided suture of improved characteristics

0001This invention relates to a braided suture exhibiting one or more improved characteristics, e.g., reduced tissue drag, reduced chatter, greater flexibility and/or better hand than a known, or "standard", suture of substantially equivalent size.

0002Sutures intended for the repair of body tissues must meet certain requirements: they must be substantially non-toxic, capable of being readily sterilized, they must have good tensile strength and have acceptable knot-tying and knot-holding (knot security) characteristics and if the sutures are of the absorbable or biodegradable variety, the absorption or biodegradation of the suture must be closely controlled.

0003Sutures have been constructed from a wide variety of materials including surgical gut, silk, cotton, a polyolefin such as polypropylene, polyamide, polyglycolic acid, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and glycolide-lactide copolymer, etc. Although the optimum structure of a suture is that of a monofilament, since certain materials of construction will only result in a stiff monofilament lacking acceptable knot-tying and knot-holding properties, sutures manufactured from such materials are preferably provided as braided structures. Thus, for example, sutures manufactured from silk, polyamide, polyester and bio-absorbable glycolide-lactide copolymer are usually provided as multifilament braids. Commercial examples of such sutures indude those marketed under the DEXON (Davis & Geck, Inc.,) and VICRYL (Ethicon, Inc.) brands.

0004Currently available braided suture products are acceptable in terms of their knot-tying and knot-holding properties. However, as removed from the package, they tend to be stiff and wiry and retain a "set" or "memory" such that at the time of use, it is usually necessary for the surgeon or assistant personnel to flex and stretch the suture to make it more readily handible. Furthermore, the surfaces of known sutures are perceptibly rough. Thus, if one passes one's hand or fingers along the braid, surface irregularities will be readily detected. The result of this rough surface is that the suture will exhibit tissue drag and/or chatter as it is drawn through tissue, characteristics which militate against smooth, neat, accurately placed wound approximation, the hallmarks of excellence in surgical practice.

0005In the case of one braided suture now on the market, due to the necessity of having to meet fiber strength requirements while at the same time retaining acceptable knot-tying and knot-holding properties, the suture is constructed from a greater amount of fiber and consequently is of larger diameter than the accepted industry standard.

0006It is an object of this invention to provide a braided suture possessing one or more improved characteristics, e.g., reduced tissue drag, reduced chatter, greater flexibility and/or better hand than that of a known, or "standard", suture of substantially equivalent size.

0007It is another object of this invention to provide a braided suture which exhibits significantly better knot security, e.g., expressed in terms of knot pull strength and/or loop pull strength, compared with the knot security of a standard suture of substantially equivalent size.

0008EP-A2-449431 is an earlier unpublished document, to be considered under EPC Art. 54(3). It discloses suture of solid spiroid braid construction, said to exhibit greater flexibility than the tubular braided suture previously proposed.

0009It is a particular object of the invention to provide a braided suture exhibiting one or more of the foregoing improved characteristics possessing a greater number of sheath yarns, a finer denier for the individual filaments making up an individual sheath yarn and a greater pick count for a suture of any given overall denier.

0010The invention is defined in claim 1 below. Dependent claims are directed to optional or preferred features.

0011In accordance with this invention a braided suture is made available, exhibiting at least one improved property relative to a standard suture of substantially equivalent size, the improved property being that of reduced tissue drag, reduced chatter, greater flexibility, greater knot security and/or better hand.

0012As a result of its possessing a greater pick count and/or a greater number of sheath yarns for a suture of given overall denier and in some cases, a finer denier for the individual filaments making up a sheath yarn, the braided suture of the present invention exhibits fewer surface discontinuities thereby providing a suture which is considerably smoother than a standard braided suture. This smoother structure is believed to be responsible for the aforementioned improved characteristic(s).

0013The term "suture" is intended to embrace both the non-absorbable as well as the bioabsorbable varieties.

0014The term "braid" or "braided" as applied to the suture of this invention refers to an arrangement of discrete units, or bundles, denominated "sheath yarns", made up of individual filaments with individual sheath yarns interlocking or interlacing each other in a regular pattern, e.g., of criss-cross configuration.

0015The expression "pick count" refers to the number of crossovers or interlocks of sheath yarns per linear inch of suture and, together with the overall denier of the suture, the denier of the individual filaments constituting a sheath yarn and the number of sheath yarns employed, defines the principal construction characteristics of the braided suture herein.

0016The expression "standard suture" is intended to designate any of the heretofore known braided sutures, e.g., those described in U.S. Patent No. 3,565,077, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, and in particular, braided suture products marketed by Ethicon, Inc. under its Vicryl brand and those marketed by Davis & Geck, Inc. (American Cyanamid Company) under its Dexon brand.

0017The present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying illustrations in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6 are photomicrographs of cross-sectional and linear views (Figs. 2 and 6) of standard sutures which are presented for comparison purposes;</li><li>Figs. 3, 4 and 7 to 10 are photomicrographs of cross-sectional (Figs. 3, 7 and 9) and linear views (Figs. 4, 8 and 10) of braided sutures in accordance with the present invention;</li><li>Figs. 11-16 are graphical comparisons of the measured tissue drag performance of braided sutures of this invention compared with that of standard sutures of substantially equivalent size; and,</li><li>Fig. 17 illustrates the formation of the knot which was employed in the knot security measurement test of Examples 22-31, <u>infra</u>.</li></ul>

0018In a preferred embodiment, the braided suture of the present invention is fabricated from a bio-absorbable or biodegradable resin such as one derived from polyglycolic acid, glycolide, lactic acid, lactide, dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, etc., and various combinations of these and related monomers. Sutures prepared from resins of this type are known in the art, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,668,162; 2,703,316; 2,758,987; 3,225,766; 3,297,033; 3,422,181; 3,531,561; 3,565,077; 3,565,869; 3,620,218; 3,626,948; 3,636,956; 3,736,646; 3,772,420; 3,773,919; 3,792,010; 3,797,499; 3,839,297; 3,867,190; 3,878,284; 3,982,543; 4,047,533; 4,060,089; 4,137,921; 4,157,437; 4,234,775; 4,237,920; 4,300,565; and, 4,523,591; U.K. Patent No. 779,291; D. K. Gilding et al., "Biodegradable polymers for use in surgery -- polyglycolic/poly(lactic acid) homo- and co-polymers: 1, <u>Polymer</u>, Volume 20, pages 1459-1464 (1979), and D.F Williams (ed.), <u>Biocompatibility of Clinical Implant Materials</u>, Vol. II, ch. 9: "Biodegradable Polymers" (1981).

0019The defining characteristics of a braided suture, apart from the material of its construction, are: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>(1) overall suture denier;</li><li>(2) the pattern of the interlocking yarns expressed as the pick count, which is to say, the number of interlocks or crossovers of individual sheath yams per linear inch of suture;</li><li>(3) the number of sheath yarns comprising the braid;</li><li>(4) the denier of the individual filaments comprising each sheath yarn; and,</li><li>(5) the denier of the core, where present.</li></ul>

0020In a preferred braided suture according to this invention, the foregoing construction characteristics are as follows:

(1)

Overall Denier of the Suture

0021The overall denier of the suture can vary from about 50 to about 4000. Within this range, the ranges of overall denier for particular sutures are: from about 50 to about 125 denier; from above about 125 to about 200 denier; from above about 200 to about 300 denier; from above about 300 to about 500 denier; from above about 500 to about 800 denier; from above about 800 to about 1500 denier; from above about 1500 to about 2000 denier; and, from above about 2000 to about 3600 denier.

(2)

Pattern of the Interlocking Sheath Yarns (Pick Count)

0022For a suture of any range of overall denier, pick count can vary from about 50 to about 100 crossovers/inch with about 55-80 crossovers/inch being preferred. For sutures constructed within any range of overall denier, as larger numbers of sheath yarns are employed, the pick-count for the sutures will also increase within the above ranges.

0023For a suture of a particular range of denier and number of sheath yarns, pick count is advantageously established to achieve a balance in the properties desired. In general, with increasing pick count, surface roughness of the suture tends to increase and with decreasing pick count, the ability of the external braided sheath to contain the core (if present) tends to decrease even reaching the point where the braid may become so loose as to result in the core protruding therethrough.

0024For sutures of any specific denier range and number of sheath yarns, it is preferable to have as low a pick count as possible in order to achieve optimum surface smoothness, consistent, of course, with the need to provide a compact braid which prevents the core (if present) from protruding through the exterior sheath yarn structure.

(3)

The Number of Sheath Yarns

0025The number of sheath yarns bears some relation to overall suture denier, the number generally increasing with the weight of the suture. Thus, across the range of suture weight (denier) indicated above, the preferred suture of this invention can be constructed with from about 4 up to as many as about 36 individual sheath yarns constructed from individual filaments having the deniers discussed below.

0026Table I below sets forth broad and preferred ranges for the numbers of sheath yarns which are suitable for the construction of preferred braided sutures of various ranges of overall denier. The pick counts of the sutures vary from about 50 to about 100 and deniers of individual filaments vary from about 0.2 to about 6.0 for the broad range of number of sheath yarns and the pick counts vary from about 55 to about 80 and the deniers of individual filaments vary from about 0.8 to about 3.0, and advantageously from about 1.0 to about 1.8, for the preferred range of number of sheath yarns. <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="all"><title>Table I</title><tgroup cols="4" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="39.37mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="39.37mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="39.37mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="39.37mm" /><thead valign="top"><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col4" align="center">Sheath Yarns Related to Suture Denier</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">Overall Suture Denier</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">Suture Size</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">Number of Sheath Yarns (Broad Range)</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">Number of Sheath Yarns (Preferred Range)</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 50 to about 125</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">7/0,8/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">4-16</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">6-14</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 125 to about 200</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">6/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">4-16</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">6-14</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 200 to about 300</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">5/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">4-16</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">6-14</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 300 to about 500</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">4/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">10-20</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">12-14</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 500 to about 800</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">3/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">14-20</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">14-18</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 800 to about 1200</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">2/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">18-32</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">20-30</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 1200 to about 2000</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">20-36</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">24-34</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 2000 to about 4000</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">1,2</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">20-36</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">24-34</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0027While the sheath yarns need not be twisted, it is generally preferred that they be provided with a twist so as to minimize snagging during braid construction.

(4)

Individual Filament Denier

0028The individual filaments comprising each sheath yarn can vary in weight from about 0.2 to about 6.0 denier, preferably from about 0.8 to about 3.0 denier and more preferably from about 1.0 to about 1.8 denier. The number of such filaments present in a particular sheath yarn will depend on the overall denier of the suture as well as the number of sheath yarns utilized in the construction of the suture. Table II sets forth some typical numbers of filaments per sheath yarn for both the broad and preferred ranges of filament weight: <tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><table frame="all"><title>Table II</title><tgroup cols="3" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="52.50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="52.50mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="52.50mm" /><thead valign="top"><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col3" align="center">Number of Filaments per Sheath Yarn</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">approximate minimum</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">approximate maximum</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">Filament Denier</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">45</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">450</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="char" char=".">0.2</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">15</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">150</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="char" char=".">0.5</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">5</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">50</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="char" char=".">1.5</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">3</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">40</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="char" char=".">1.8</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">1</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">15</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="char" char=".">6.0</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

(5)

Core (Optional)

0029For all but the lowest range of overall denier, the preferred suture can optionally be constructed around a filamentous core which itself can be braided or which can be provided in some other configuration such as a twist, ply, cable, etc. The filament(s) comprising the core need not be as fine as those comprising the sheath yarns. It is particularly advantageous for sutures of heavier denier to possess a core. Where a core is provided, it is generally preferred that it possess a weight which is significantly greater than that of a core of a standard suture of equivalent overall denier.

0030Table III below provides some typical core deniers for sutures of various deniers. <tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><table frame="all"><title>Table III</title><tgroup cols="4" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="39.37mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="39.37mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="39.37mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="39.37mm" /><thead valign="top"><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col4" align="center">Core Denier Related to Suture Denier</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">Overall suture Denier</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">Suture Size</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">Denier of Optional Core (Broad Range)</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">Denier of Optional Core (Preferred Range)</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">from about 50 to about 125</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">8/0,7/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">none</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">none</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 125 to about 200</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">6/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">20-80</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">25-50</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 200 to about 300</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">5/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">30-100</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">50-80</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 300 to about 500</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">4/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">80-50</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">80-120</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 500 to about 800</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">3/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">150-300</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">180-280</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 800 to about 1200</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">2/0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">250-700</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">350-650</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 1200 to about 2000</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">0</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">400-1200</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">500-1000</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">greater than about 2000 to about 4000</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">1,2</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">800-2400</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">1000-2200</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0031When a suture of this invention is fabricated from a material which is susceptible to hydrolysis, e.g., any of the absorbable resins previously mentioned, care must be take to rigorously exclude moisture from contacting the suture during storage or to otherwise preserve the suture from excessive hydrolytic attack which would compromise its <u>in</u><u>vivo</u> strength to the point where the suture would no longer be serviceable.

0032According to U.S. Patent Nos. 3,728,839 and 4,135,622, the <u>in vivo</u> strength of polyglycolic acid surgical elements such as sutures undergoes significant deterioration on long term storage in the package even on exposure of the contents to very small amounts of water for very short periods of time, e.g., 20 minutes or less, just prior to packaging due to the tendency of a moisture impervious package to seal the moisture in with the suture. To prevent or minimize excessive hydrolytic degradation of an absorbable suture during storage, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,728,839 and 4,135,622 disclose removing moisture from the suture before sealing the package so that no more than about 0.5 percent of water by weight of suture remains in the package once the package is sealed. This approach to improving the suture's storage stability, while effective, is in practice difficult and expensive to carry out. Prior to sealing the suture within its moisture impervious package, it is essential that the suture be "bone dry", a condition achieved by heating the suture for a sufficient period to remove the water therefrom, e.g., 180-188°F (82-87°C) for 1 hour under a 26 inch vacuum. However, once the water is removed, the suture cannot be allowed to contact a moisture-containing environment even for a limited duration since as previously noted, even brief exposure to moisture can cause severe deterioration of suture <u>in</u><u>vivo</u> strength. It therefore becomes necessary following the water removal step to temporarily store the suture in a dry area, i.e., an environment which is essentially free of moisture, where the possibility of contact with moisture is largely eliminated. These operations for improving the storage stability of an absorbable suture are time consuming, expensive and constitute a relatively complex solution to the storage stability problem.

0033In an entirely different approach to improving the storage stability of an absorbable suture, one that avoids the foregoing drawbacks associated with the method of U.S. Patent Nos. 3,728,839 and 4,135,622, the storage stability of an absorbable braided suture which is susceptible to hydrolysis is improved by applying to the suture a storage stabilizing amount of at least one water soluble liquid polyhydroxy compound and/or ester thereof. In addition to imparting an enhanced degree of storage stability to the suture, practice of this embodiment of the present invention confers other benefits as well. So, for example, a braided suture which has been filled with a storage stabilizing amount of, e.g., glycerol, exhibits better flexibility and "hand" characteristics than the untreated suture. Moreover, since the polyhydroxy compounds are generally capable of dissolving a variety of medico-surgically useful substances, they can be used as vehicles to deliver such substances to a wound or surgical site at the time the suture is introduced into the body.

0034The useful storage stabilizing agents are generally selected from the water soluble liquid polyhydroxy compounds and/or esters of such compounds, preferably those having no appreciable toxicity for the body at the levels present. The expression "liquid polyhydroxy compound" contemplates those polyhydroxy compounds which in the essentially pure state are liquids, as opposed to solids, at or about ambient temperature, e.g., at from about 15°C to about 40°C. The preferred polyhydroxy compounds possess up to about 12 carbon atoms and where the esters are concerned, are preferably the monoesters and diesters.

0035Among the specific storage stabilizing agents which can be used with generally good results are glycerol and its mono- and diesters derived from low molecular weight carboxylic acids, e.g., monoacetin and diacetin (respectively, glyceryl monoacetate and glyceryl diacetate), ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, and the like. Glycerol is especially preferred. Mixtures of storage stabilizing agents, e.g., sorbitol dissolved in glycerol, glycerol combined with monoacetin and/or diacetin, etc., are also useful.

0036To prevent or minimize run-off or separation of the storage stabilizing agent from the suture, a tendency to which relatively low viscosity compounds such as glycerol are somewhat prone, it can be advantageous to combine the agent with a thickener. Many kinds of pharmaceutically acceptable non-aqueous thickeners can be utilized including water-soluble polysaccharides, e.g., hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and similar cellulosic materials, polysaccharide gums such as guar, xanthan, and the like, gelatin, collagen, etc. An especially preferred class of thickeners are the saturated aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acids of up to about 6 carbon atoms and the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts and hydrates thereof. Within this preferred class of compounds are those of the general formula <chemistry id="chem0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0472260B2_D0001.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R is hydrogen or a methyl group, R' is hydrogen or a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal and n is 0 or 1 and hydrates thereof. Specific examples of such compounds include salts of lactic acid such as calcium lactate and potassium lactate, sodium lactate, salts of glycolic acid such as calcium glycolate, potassium glycolate and sodium glycolate, salts of 3-hydroxy propanoic acid such as the calcium, potassium and sodium salts thereof, salts of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid such as the calcium, potassium and sodium salts thereof, and the like. As stated hereinbefore, hydrates of these compounds can also be used. Calcium lactate, especially calcium lactate pentahydrate, is a particularly preferred thickener.

0037Where a thickener is utilized, it will be incorporated in the storage stabilizing composition in at least that amount required to increase the overall viscosity of the composition to the point where it no longer readily drains away from the suture in a relatively short period. In the case of a preferred storage stabilizing agent-thickener combination, namely, glycerol and calcium lactate, the weight ratio of glycerol to calcium lactate can vary from about 1:1 to about 10:1 and preferably is from about 6:1 to about 8:1.

0038If necessary or desirable, the storage stabilizing agent together with optional thickener can be dissolved in any suitable non-aqueous solvent or combination of solvents prior to use. To be suitable, the solvent must (1) be miscible with the storage stabilizing agent and optional thickener, (2) have a sufficiently high vapor pressure to be readily removed by evaporation, (3) not appreciably affect the integrity of the suture and (4) be capable of wetting the surface of the suture. Applying these criteria to a preferred storage stabilizing agent, glycerol, advantageously in admixture with a preferred thickener, calcium lactate, lower alcohols such as methanol and ethanol are entirely suitable solvent carriers. When a solvent is utilized in the preparation of the storage stabilizing agent, such solvents, e.g., methanol, can be employed in amounts providing a solution concentration of from about 20% to about 50%, preferably about 30% to about 45%, by weight of the storage stabilizing agent (including any optional thickener) based on the total weight of the solution.

0039Preparing the storage stabilizing agent for application to the suture is a relatively simple procedure. For example, in the case of a mixture of glycerol and calcium lactate, the desired amount of glycerol is first introduced to a suitable vessel followed by the addition thereto of the desired amount of calcium lactate. If no solvent is used, the mixture is then thoroughly mixed. Where a solvent such as methanol is employed, the solvent is added to the mixture of glycerol and calcium lactate and the solution is then thoroughly mixed to dissolve the compounds.

0040Application of the storage stabilizing agent to the suture can be carried out in any number of ways. Thus, for example, the suture can be submerged in the storage stabilizing agent or solution thereof until at least a storage stabilizing amount of agent is acquired or otherwise retained by the suture, even after the optional removal of any excess agent and/or accompanying solvent (if present) such as by drainage, wiping, evaporation, etc. In many cases, contact times on the order of from just a few seconds, e.g., about 10 seconds or so, to several hours, e.g., about 2 hours and even longer, are sufficient to impart a substantial improvement in the storage stability of the treated suture compared to the same suture which has not been treated with storage stabilizing agent. It has been found that calendering the suture prior to filling, such as by passing the suture through at least two pairs of transversely mounted calender rolls, can improve the receptivity of the suture to filling and improves the suppleness of the resulting filled suture. It is believed that calendering the suture separates the individual suture filaments to open up spaces therebetween which are conducive to ensuring that the filling composition penetrates within, and fills, the interstices of the braided suture.

0041The foregoing submersion method of contacting the suture with storage stabilizing agent can be conducted continuously or in batch. Thus, a running length of the suture can be continuously passed through a quantity of the stabilizing agent at a velocity which has been previously determined to provide the necessary degree of exposure, or contact time, of the suture with the storage stabilizing agent. As the suture emerges from the storage stabilizing agent, it can be passed through a wiper or similar device to remove excess agent prior to the packaging operation. Preferably, the suture is passed through a coating head supplied by a metering pump with a constant supply of filling solution, with the suture emerging from the coating head and passing through an evaporation oven to remove the filling solution solvent prior to any further surface contact, i.e., with rollers, etc. In a batch operation, a quantity of suture is merely submerged within the storage stabilizing agent for the requisite period of time with any excess agent being removed from the suture if desired.

0042Alternatively, the storage stabilizing agent and solutions thereof can be applied to the suture by spraying, brushing, wiping, etc., such that the suture receives and retains at least a storage stabilizing amount of the agent. Yet another procedure which can be used to apply the storage stabilizing agent involves inserting the suture in a package containing an effective amount of the agent such that intimate contact between the suture and the agent is achieved.

0043Whatever the contacting procedure employed, it is necessary that the suture being treated acquire a storage stabilizing amount of the storage stabilizing agent. In general, amounts of from about 2 to about 25, and preferably from about 5 to about 15 weight percent, of storage stabilizing agent(s) (exclusive of any solvent) by weight of the suture contacted therewith is sufficient to provide significantly improved storage stability compared to that of the untreated suture.

0044As previously pointed out, a filled braided suture in accordance with the invention need not be packaged and maintained under the very dry conditions required for prior synthetic absorbable sutures. Instead, it is preferred that the filled sutures be equilibrated so that the level of moisture or other stabilizing agent solvent is sufficient to result in an appropriate viscosity level for the stabilizing agent and thickener in order to keep the stabilizing agent on the suture. In the preferred embodiment of a braided suture filled with a mixture of glycerol and calcium lactate, the moisture level may be equilibrated to as low as about 0.2% by weight of the suture, and is preferably above 0.3% or, even more preferably, about 0.5% by weight of the suture.

0045Indeed, it has been found that a braided suture filled with a glycerol/calcium lactate composition tends to undergo undesirable changes if exposed to a very dry environment. More particularly, if such a filled suture is exposed to a very dry environment, the surface of the suture may accumulate a flaked or powdered substance which could possibly interfere with, or render more difficult, the removal of the suture from its package. Equilibrating the filled suture, such as in a dew point controlled environment, so that the suture contains a relatively high moisture level, e.g., in excess of 0.2% and preferably in excess of 0.5% by weight of the suture, prevents such accumulation of flaked or powdered substance which might otherwise result were the suture exposed to an extremely dry environment. Conversely, the presence of too much moisture can also have deleterious effects, such as causing the glycerol filling to run. Therefore, it is preferable to control the moisture level within a range having preset upper and lower limits.

0046It is also within the scope of this invention to impregnate the braided suture with, or otherwise apply thereto, one or more medico-surgically useful substances, e.g., those which accelerate or beneficially modify the healing process when the suture is applied to a wound or surgical site. So, for example, the suture herein can be provided with a therapeutic agent which will be deposited at the sutured site. The therapeutic agent can be chosen for its antimicrobial properties, capability for promoting wound repair and/or tissue growth or for specific indications such as thrombosis. Antimicrobial agents such as broad spectrum antibiotics (gentamicin sulphate, erythromycin or derivatized glycopeptides) which are slowly released into the tissue can be applied in this manner to aid in combating clinical and sub-clinical infections in a surgical or trauma wound site.

0047To promote wound repair and/or tissue growth, one or more biologically active materials known to achieve either or both of these objectives can be applied to the spiroid braided suture of the present invention. Such materials include any of several Human Growth Factors (HGFs), magainin, tissue or kidney plasminogen activator to cause thrombosis, superoxide dismutase to scavenge tissue damaging free radicals, tumor necrosis factor for cancer therapy, colony stimulating factor, interferon, interleukin-2 or other lymphokine to enhance the immune system, and so forth.

0048The term "Human Growth Factor" or "HGF" embraces those materials, known in the literature, which are referred to as such and includes their biologically active closely related derivatives. The HGFs can be derived from naturally occurring sources including human and non-human sources, e.g., bovine sources, and are preferably produced by recombinant DNA techniques. Specifically, any of the HGFs which are mitogenically active and as such are effective in stimulating, accelerating, potentiating or otherwise enhancing the wound healing process can be usefully applied to the suture herein, e.g., hEGF (urogastrone), TGF-beta, IGF, PDGD, FGF, etc. These and other useful HGFs and closely related HGF derivatives, methods by which they can be obtained and methods and compositions featuring the use of HGFs to enhance wound healing are variously disclosed, <u>inter</u><u>alia</u>, in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,883,497, 3,917,824, 3,948,875, 4,338,397, 4,418,691, 4,528,186, 4,621,052, 4,743,679, 4,717,717, 4,861,757, 4,874,746 and 4,944,948, European Patent Application Nos. 046,039, 128,733, 131,868, 136,490, 147,178, 150,572, 177,915 and 267,015, PCT International Applications WO 83/04030, WO 85/003698, WO 85/01284 and WO 86/02271, UK Patent Applications GB 2 092 155 A, 2 162 851 A and GB 2 172 890 A and, "Growth Factors in Wound Healing", Lynch, et al., <u>J. Clin. Invest.</u>, Vol. 84, pages 640-646 (August 1989), all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Of the known HGFs, HEGF, TGF-beta, IGF, PDGF and FGF are preferred, either singly or in combination.

0049In a preferred embodiment of the braided suture device of this invention, a filling composition comprising a surgical wound healing enhancing amount of at least one HGF and as carrier therefor at least one water soluble, liquid polyhydroxy compound and/or ester thereof such as any of those previously mentioned is applied to the suture. The carrier protects the HGF component of the filling composition from excessive degradation or loss of biopotency during storage and as disclosed above, when the suture is fabricated from an absorbable resin which is susceptible to hydrolysis, the carrier improves the storage stability of the suture as well. In addition to carrier, the HGF can contain a thickener such as any of those previously mentioned in order to reduce or limit the tendency of carrier run-off.

0050The filling composition can contain one or more additional components which promote or enhance the wound healing effectiveness of the HGF component. Thus, e.g., site-specific hybrid proteins can be incorporated in the filling composition to maximize the availability of the HGF at the wound site and/or to potentiate wound healing. See, e.g., Tomlinson (Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals, West Sussex, U.K.), "Selective Delivery and Targeting of Therapeutic Proteins", a paper presented at a symposium held June 12-14, 1989 in Boston, MA, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. The HGFs can also be associated with carrier proteins (CPs), e.g., in the form of CP-bound HGF(s), to further enhance availability of the HGF(s) at a wound site as disclosed in "Carrier Protein-Based Delivery of Protein Pharmaceuticals", a paper of BioGrowth, Inc., Richmond, CA presented at the aforementioned symposium, the contents of said paper being incorporated by reference herein. The HGFs can also be incorporated in liposomes to provide for their release over an extended period. Lactate ion can be present to augment the wound healing activity of the HGF. Protectants for the HGF can also be utilized, e.g., polyethylene glycols, acetoxyphenoxy polyethoxy ethanols, polyoxyethylene sorbitans, dextrans, albumin, poly-D-alanyl peptides and N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-methacrylamide (HPMA).

0051The amounts of HGF, carrier and optional component(s) such as thickener, site-specific hybrid protein, carrier protein, etc., identified above can vary widely and in general will be at least that amount of a particular component which is required to perform its respective function in an effective way. Those skilled in the art employing known or conventional procedures can readily determine optimum amounts of each component for a particular filling composition and particular braided suture filled therewith.

0052In general, the HGF(s) can be present in the total composition at a level ranging from about 0.1 to about 25,000 micrograms per gram of such composition, preferably from about 0.5 to about 10000 micrograms per gram of composition and most preferably from about 1 to about 500 micrograms per gram of composition.

0053Application of the HGF-containing composition to the suture can be carried out by any suitable technique, e.g., by any of the procedures described above for applying a storage stabilizing agent to the suture.

0054It can also be advantageous to apply one or more coating compositions to the suture where particular functional properties are desired. For example, the suture can be coated with a material which improves its surface lubricity and/or knot tie-down characteristics. Materials of this kind are known, e.g., those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,942,532, 40406,533 and 4,716,203, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. Particularly suitable materials which impart either or both improved lubricity and knot-tie down characteristics are the bioabsorbable coating compositions obtained by copolymerizing in accordance with known procedures (1) a polyether glycol selected from the group consisting of relatively low molecular weight polyalkylene glycol, e.g., one corresponding to the general formula HO(RO)_yH wherein R is an alkylene group of from 2-4 carbon atoms and y is an integer of from about 100-350, and polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide block copolymer, e.g., one corresponding to the general formula H(OCH₂CH₂)_x(OC₃H₆)_y(OCH₂CH₂)_zOH wherein x is an integer of from about 45-90, y is an integer of from about 60-85 and z is an integer of from about 45-90 with (2) a mixture of lactide monomer and glycolide monomer or a preformed copolymer of lactide and glycolide, the weight ratio of (1) to (2) preferably ranging from about 4:1 to about 1:4 and more preferably from about 2:1 to about 1:2. The ratio of lactide to glycolide in the monomer mixture or in the copolymer of these monomers preferably varies from about 65-90 mole percent lactide and 10-35 mole percent glycolide. Polyether glycols which can be used to prepare the bioabsorbable coating compositions advantageously include polyethylene glycols having molecular weights of about 3,500-25,000 and preferably from about 4,000-10,000 and polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide block copolymers having molecular weights of from about 5,000-10,000 and preferably from about 7,500 to about 9,000, e.g., those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,674,619, 3,036,118, 4,043,344 and 4,047,533 and commercially available as the Pluronics (BASF-Wyandotte). Where preformed copolymers of lactide and glycolide are employed in preparing the bioabsorbable coating compositions, they may be prepared as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,523,591. The amounts of bioabsorbable coating composition to be applied to the suture, e.g., by coating, dipping, spraying or other appropriate technique will vary depending upon the specific construction of the suture, its size and the material of its construction. In general, the coating composition applied to an unfilled suture will constitute from about 1.0 to about 3.0 percent by weight of the coated suture, but the amount of coating add on may range from as little as about 0.5 percent, by weight, to as much as 4.0 percent or higher. For a preferred filled (i.e. containing a storage stabilizing agent) braided suture, amounts of coating composition will generally vary from about 0.5% to 2.0% with as little as 0.2% to as much as 3.0%. As a practical matter and for reasons of economy and general performance, it is generally preferred to apply the minimum amount of coating composition consistent with good surface lubricity and/or knot tie-down characteristics and this level of coating add on is readily determined experimentally for any particular suture.

0055The following examples are illustrative of the braided suture of this invention.

Comparison Examples 1-7

0056The following braided suture configurations are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,565,077: <tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="6" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="26.25mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="26.25mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="26.25mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="26.25mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="26.25mm" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="26.25mm" /><thead valign="top"><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">Comparison Example</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">Overall Suture Denier</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">Pick Count</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">Number of Sheath Yarns</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">Denier of Individual Filaments</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="center">Denier of Core</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">1</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">175</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">40</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">6</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">6</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">25</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">2</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">300</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">46</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">8</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">6</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">100</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">3</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">500</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">40</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">8</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">6</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">100</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">4</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">800</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">50</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">12</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">6</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">200</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">5</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">1200</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">50</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">16</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">6</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">400</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">6</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">1500</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">50</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">12</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">6</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">600</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">7</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">2000</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">40</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">16</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">6</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">800</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0057Sutures possessing approximately these configurations are relatively inflexible, rough-surfaced and exhibit a relatively high level of chatter and drag.

Comparison Examples 8-11

0058The following braided suture configurations are those of four commercially available sutures: <tables id="tabl0005" num="0005"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="7" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="22.50mm" /><thead valign="top"><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">Comparison Example</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">Overall Suture Denier</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">Suture Size</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">Pick Count</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">Number of Sheath Yarns</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="center">Denier of Individual Filaments</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="center">Denier of Core</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">8</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">259</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">5/0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">47</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">8</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">2.1</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">29</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">9</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">698</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">3/0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">52</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">12</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">2.1</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">55</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">10</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">1566</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">50</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">16</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">2.1</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">252</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">11</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">2122</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">1</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">44</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">16</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">2.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">330</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0059Photomicrographs obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the suture of Comparison Example 10 (Figures 4 and 5: cross-sectional view at 200x and linear view at 50x, respectively) clearly show the structural details of the suture. The suture braid is made up of relatively few sheath yarns and the circumferential indentations, plainly evident in Figure 4, cause the braid surface to be relatively rough.

Examples 1-8

0060These examples illustrate various sizes of braided suture constructed in accordance with the present invention. <tables id="tabl0006" num="0006"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="7" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="22.50mm" /><thead valign="top"><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">Example</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">Overall Suture Denier</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">Suture Size</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">Pick Count</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">Number of Sheath Yarns</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="center">Denier of Individual Filaments</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="center">Denier of Core</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">2</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">173</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">6/0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">75</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">12</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">29</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">3</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">240</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">5/0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">65</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">8</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">48</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">4</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">389</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">4/0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">75</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">12</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">101</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">5</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">600</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">3/0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">65</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">16</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">216</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">6</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">1080</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">2/0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">72</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">24</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">504</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">7</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">1378</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">65</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">28</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">706</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">8</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">2028</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">1</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">65</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">32</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">1260</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0061Comparing the details of construction of the foregoing braided sutures with those of the known braided sutures as set forth in Comparison Examples 1-11, it will be noted that for sutures of comparable overall denier, the suture of this invention possesses a significantly greater pick count and number of sheath yarns and a significantly finer denier for the individual filaments making up a sheath yam than the equivalent characteristics of the known suture.

0062As a result of their unique construction characteristics, the suture of this invention exhibits perceptibly improved flexibility and hand and reduced chatter and drag compared with the known, or standard, sutures of Comparison Examples 1-11. For a given suture size, a braided suture of this invention will typically exhibit a level of tissue drag not exceeding about 60%, preferably not exceeding about 40% and more preferably, not exceeding about 20%, of the tissue drag of a standard braided suture of comparable size.

Examples 9-12

0063The following braided sutures were fabricated in accordance with the present invention: <tables id="tabl0007" num="0007"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="7" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="22.50mm" /><thead valign="top"><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">Example</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">Overall Suture Denier</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">Suture Size</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">Pick Count</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">Number of Sheath Yarns</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="center">Denier of Individual Filaments</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="center">Denier of Core</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">9</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">240</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">5/0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">68</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">8</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">40</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">10</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">600</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">3/0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">71</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">16</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">180</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">11</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">1374</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">67</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">28</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">702</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">12</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">2230</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">1</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">57</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">32</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">975</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0064In contrast to the suture of Comparison Example 10, <u>supra</u>, SEM photomicrographs of the suture of Example 11 (Figures 6 and 7: cross-sectional view at 200x and linear view at 50x, respectively) show a smooth circumferential surface as the result of the increased number of sheath yarns and smaller diameter of individual filaments.

0065Figure 4 as compared to Figure 6 shows the relatively larger core present in the suture of Example 11 as compared to that of Comparison Example 10.

0066Comparison between Figures 5 and 7 shows the increased number of picks (crossovers/inch) of the suture of Example 11 as compared to that of Comparison Example 10.

EXAMPLES 13-15

0067The following suture braids were fabricated in accordance with the present invention: <tables id="tabl0008" num="0008"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="7" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="22.50mm" /><thead valign="top"><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">Example</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">Overall Suture Denier</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">Suture Size</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">Pick Count</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">Number of Sheath Yarns</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="center">Denier of Individual Filaments</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="center">Denier of Core</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">13</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">1442</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">70</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">28</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">2.0¹</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="center">882</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">14</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">1621</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">70</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">28</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="center">882</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">15</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">1554</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">0</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">78</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">28</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="char" char=".">1.2</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="center">882</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup cols="7" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="22.50mm" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col7" align="justify">¹Denier of sheath filaments; core filaments were 1.2 dpf.</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0068The suture braids were coated to improve suture lubricity and knot tie-down characteristics and compared for physical properties for diameter USP knot-pull and suture tissue drag with the coated commercial suture of Comparison Example 10.

0069In this tissue drag test, sutures were needled with identical tapered needles to normalize any effect of needle diameter on the test.

0070Sutures were passed through live animal abdominal fascia tissue. The results of the tissue drag study are shown in Table IV as follows: <tables id="tabl0009" num="0009"><table frame="all"><title>Table IV</title><tgroup cols="4" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="39.37mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="39.37mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="39.37mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="39.37mm" /><thead valign="top"><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col4" align="center">Tissue Drag Results</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Example</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">Diameter (min)</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">Knot-Pull (Kg)</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">Tissue Drag (gms force, maximum)</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">Comparison Example 10</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">0.419</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="char" char=".">4.72</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">257</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">13</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">0.413</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="char" char=".">5.27</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">35</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">14</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">0.428</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="char" char=".">5.35</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">56</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">15</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">0.444</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="char" char=".">5.04</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">50</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0071These data clearly show that the smoother surface of the braided sutures fabricated in accordance with this invention provides smoother, more resistance-free passage of the suture through tissue thereby resulting in lower tissue drag and chatter. High drag forces make it more difficult for the surgeon to align tissue neatly and increase the time to complete the dosure. A visual comparison of the suture of Comparative Example 10 and those of Examples 13 and 14 of this invention are consistent with the tissue drag observations set forth above. Thus, it is evident from a visual comparison of the SEM photomicrographs of Figs. 8 and 9 (suture of Comparison Example 10 shown in cross-sectional view at 150x and linear view at 70x, respectively) with those of Figs. 10 and 11 (suture of Example 13 shown in cross-section at 150x and linear view at 70x, respectively) and Figs. 12 and 13 (suture of Example 14 shown in cross-section at 150x and linear view at 70x, respectively) that the external surfaces of the sutures of the present invention, i.e., those of Examples 13 and 14, are perceptibly smoother than the surfaces of the suture of Comparison Example 10.

EXAMPLE 16

0072Measurement of tissue drag in accordance with this example employed a Chatillon Tensile Tester (serial no. 06279-1) equipped with a load cell (Full Scale Load 1.72g) for recording tensile and compression loads, a stripchart recorder (Omega Eng. serial no. 211347) for constantly recording the tensile loads and crosshead movement, a 500 gram calibration weight and needle holders (Miltex Straight-6").

0073Each suture sample which was tested was armed with the same needle (for size and type) to reduce the potential for error resulting from varying punctures by different needles. For each test, the armed suture was passed through the fascia tissue in a "W" pattern thus assuring that an approximately 1 inch spacing would be maintained between entries and exits of the suture. In each passage of the suture, care was taken to insure entry of the suture into all fascia layers (excluding the skin). Following passage of an adequate length of suture through the fascia tissue to accommodate the test setup, the needle was placed into needle holders. The suture was passed under a ringstand bar creating a 90° angle directly aligned with the load cell and the specimen. The needle holder was suspended from the load cell fixture. Tension in the suture was relieved and the zero settings on the tensile tester were rechecked prior to testing.

0074The crosshead was then engaged in the test direction (tensile, upward) at a rate of 30 cm/min (12 in/min) and the stripchart recorder was manually engaged at a rate of 30 cm/min (12 in/min). During the testing of the suture. load and crosshead movement were recorded until the entire suture sample had been withdrawn from the tissue or complete crosshead travel had been achieved. The crosshead was then disengaged and returned to its zero setting, the stripchart was disengaged and any remaining length of suture was removed from the fascia.

0075The foregoing procedure was repeated for each armed suture within a test group.

0076In this example, a filled and coated size 2/0 braided suture constructed in accordance with the invention (Suture A) was compared with a coated size 2/0 braided silk suture of Davis &amp; Geck, Inc. ("D &amp; G Silk": Suture B) and a coated size 2/0 braided absorbable suture of Ethicon, Inc. ("Vicryl": Suture C) for tissue drag as described. The tissue drag profiles of the three sutures appear in Fig. 11 as the plot of force (kg) required to pull each suture through animal fascia tissue through a distance of somewhat greater than 10 cm. As the graphically represented data show, the braided suture constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, i.e., Exhibit A, exhibited a dramatically reduced level of tissue drag compared with that of the two standard sutures, i.e., Sutures B and C.

EXAMPLES 17-21

0077Example 16 was repeated with different sizes of Sutures A, Band C, namely, sizes 0 (Example 17). 1 (Example 18), 2/0 (Example 19). 4/0 (Example 20) and 5/0 (Example 21). As shown in Figs. 12-16, each size of Suture A exhibited far lower tissue drag than standard Sutures B and C of substantially equivalent size.

EXAMPLES 22-29

0078Knot security was measured in terms of the amount of force which, when applied to a loop possessing the knot shown in Fig. 17, causes the knot to slip or the loop to break.

0079The details of the knot security test are as follows: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Each suture in the test set was approximately 7 inches in length. A knotted loop was formed in a test suture in three steps as illustrated in Fig. 17. As shown in Step 1 of Fig. 17, each suture was given a double throw (left over right) around a 2cm diameter cylinder. In Step 2, the free ends of the suture were set with a single throw (right over left) onto the initial throw of Step 1. Finally, in Step 3, another double throw (left over right) was set onto the single throw of Step 2 to complete the knot. The free ends of the suture were cut to approximately ½ inch and the loop was carefully eased from the cylinder.</li></ul>

0080Testing of each loop was carried out employing a calibrated Instron machine operated in a conventional manner. For each size suture, up to 20 test samples were prepared and measured for loop pull strength. The test results for all of the sutures in all sizes are set forth in Table V as follows: <tables id="tabl0010" num="0010"><img file="EP0472260B2_D0002.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0011" num="0011"><img file="EP0472260B2_D0003.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0012" num="0012"><img file="EP0472260B2_D0004.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0013" num="0013"><img file="EP0472260B2_D0005.tif" /></tables>

0081As the data for Examples 23-29 show, the loop pull strength of the sutures of this invention was consistently higher for all sizes of suture than that of the comparably sized standard sutures. Moreover, only in relatively few cases did slippage of the knot occur prior to loop breakage where the sutures of this invention are concerned whereas slippage was a frequent occurrence in the case of the standard sutures.

0082For a given size of bioabsorbable suture in accordance with this invention, preferred average minimum loop pull force values at break in kg are as set forth in Table VI below: <tables id="tabl0014" num="0014"><table frame="all"><title>VI</title><tgroup cols="2" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="78.75mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="78.75mm" /><thead valign="top"><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col2" align="center">Preferred Average Minimum Loop Pull Values for the Bioabsorbable Sutures of this Invention</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">Preferred Suture Size</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">Minimum Loop Pull Force (kg)</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">1</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">13</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">14</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">0</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">10</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2-0</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">8</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">3-0</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">4</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">4-0</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">3</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">5-0</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">1.5</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">6-0</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=".">1</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

EXAMPLE 32

0083This example is illustrative of a size 2/0 braided glycolide-lactide copolymer suture of this invention filled with a wound healing enhancing amount of an HGF- and carrier/storage stabilizing agent-containing filling composition.

0084A solution of glycerol (278 gm), calcium lactate (43 gm) and sterile water (370 gm) is prepared. Human Growth Factor HEGF-51 (152.6 mg) (Creative Biomolecules, Inc., Hopkinton, MA) was dissolved volumetrically to 25 ml with the above solution to provide a braided suture filling composition. The composition was placed in the syringe pump of a suture coating apparatus. The syringe pump was set to provide the filling composition at a constant rate and the suture speed was adjusted to apply 17ml of filling composition to 200 meters of braid. The target concentration of HGF on the braid is 0.52 mg hEGF/meter or approximately 1.8 mg hEGF/gram of braid. After filling, the braid was immediately passed through a 50° drying column. After filling, the spooled braid was removed to a small chamber and stored under a flowing dry nitrogen atmosphere to remove the water from the solution.