Patent ID: 7179883
Filing Date: 2007-02-20
Classification: A61F,A61K,A61L,C08G,C08J,C08K,C08L,C12P,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A device comprising a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer composition that has a controlled degradation rate of less than one year, under physiological conditions, wherein the degradation rate of the composition is manipulated through addition of components to the polymeric composition, selection of the chemical composition, molecular weight, processing conditions, or form of the composition, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of rotator cuff repair devices, temporary wound support devices, bladder patches, pledgets, soft tissue reinforcement devices, vascular patches, devices for artrial wall repair, bone marrow scaffolds, ligament repair devices, rods, washers, screws, pins, struts, plates, and staples used in spinal fusion cages, stents, sewing rings, stiffners used in heart valve supports, cell encapsulation devices, coated devices, defect filling devices, organ patches, organ salvage devices, staple line reinforcement devices, pelvic floor reconstruction devices, devices for closure of ventricular septal defects, drug delivery devices, devices for delivery of biological factors, and devices comprising encapsulated proteins, antibodies, enzymes, peptides, polysaccharides, saccharides, organic drugs, inorganic drugs, nucleic acids, antigens, inhibitors, clot dissolving agents, hormones, nucleic acid, and/or lipids.