Yarns and fibers of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, and methods of use thereof

Abstract

Resorbable implants comprising poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have been developed. The implants are preferably sterilized, and contain less than 20 endotoxin units per device as determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and are particularly suitable for use in procedures where prolonged strength retention is necessary, and can include one or more bioactive agents. The implants may be made from fibers and meshes of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof, or by 3d printing, and the fibers may be oriented. Coverings and receptacles made from forms of poly(butylene succinate) and copolymers thereof have also been developed for use with cardiac rhythm management devices and other implantable devices. These coverings and receptacles may be used to hold, or partially/fully cover, devices such as pacemakers and neurostimulators. The coverings and receptacles are made from meshes, webs, lattices, non-wovens, films, fibers, and foams, and contain antibiotics such as rifampin and minocycline.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A monofilament fiber derived from a polymeric composition,
 wherein the polymeric composition comprises a 1,4-butanediol unit and a succinic acid unit; and   wherein the monofilament fiber has a tensile strength between 400 MPa and 1200 MPa.   
     
     
         31 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the Young's modulus of the monofilament fiber is less than 3.0 GPa. 
     
     
         32 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the Young's modulus of the monofilament fiber is at least 600 MPa. 
     
     
         33 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the monofilament fiber has an elongation to break of 10% to 50%. 
     
     
         34 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein following implantation in vivo, the strength retention of the fiber is at least 80% at 4 weeks or at least 65% at 12 weeks. 
     
     
         35 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the polymeric composition excludes urethane bonds and/or is not prepared with a diisocyanate. 
     
     
         36 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the polymeric composition is not a blend of two or more polymers. 
     
     
         37 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the polymeric composition has a melt temperature between 100° C. and 150° C. 
     
     
         38 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the polymeric composition further comprises one or more of the following: a second diacid unit, a second diol unit, 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, glutaric acid, adipic acid, terephthalic acid, malonic acid, and oxalic acid. 
     
     
         39 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the polymeric composition further comprises one or more of the following: branching agent, cross-linking agent, chain extender agent, and reactive blending agent. 
     
     
         40 . The fiber of  claim 39 , wherein the branching agent, cross-linking agent, or chain extender unit is selected from one or more of the following: malic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, trimethylol propane, trimesic acid, citric acid, glycerol propoxylate, and tartaric acid. 
     
     
         41 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the polymeric composition further comprises a hydroxycarboxylic acid unit. 
     
     
         42 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the polymeric composition comprises succinic acid-1,4-butanediol-malic acid copolyester, succinic acid-1,4-butanediol-citric acid copolyester, succinic acid-1,4-butanediol-tartaric acid copolyester, succinic acid-1,4-butanediol-malic acid copolyester further comprising citric acid, tartaric acid, or a combination thereof, succinic acid-adipic acid-1,4-butanediol-malic acid copolyester, succinic acid-adipic acid-1,4-butanediol-citric acid copolyester, succinic acid-adipic acid-1,4-butanediol-tartaric acid copolyester, or succinic acid-adipic acid-1,4-butanediol-malic acid copolyester further comprising citric acid, tartaric acid, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         43 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the polymeric composition is isotopically enriched. 
     
     
         44 . The fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the polymeric composition excludes tin and/or comprises 1-500 ppm of one or more of the following: silicon, titanium, and zinc. 
     
     
         45 . A knit or woven mesh, wherein the mesh is knit or woven from the fiber of  claim 30 . 
     
     
         46 . The mesh of  claim 45 , wherein when the mesh is incubated at 37° C. in phosphate buffered saline: (i) the weight average molecular weight of the polymeric composition decreases between 3% and 15% over a 4-week time period, (ii) the weight average molecular weight of the polymeric composition decreases between 5% and 15% over an 8-week time period, (iii) the weight average molecular weight of the polymeric composition decreases between 10% and 30% over a 12 week time period, (iv) the percent mass loss of the mesh is between 0% and 5% over a 4-week time period, or (v) the percent mass loss of the mesh is between 0% and 5% over an 8-week time period. 
     
     
         47 . The mesh of  claim 45 , wherein when implanted in vivo, under physiological conditions for 4 weeks, the dimensions of the mesh do not shrink more than 5% of their initial values. 
     
     
         48 . A method of forming the fiber of  claim 30 , wherein the fiber is produced by a method comprising the steps of: (a) spinning a polymeric composition comprising a 1,4-butanediol unit and a succinic acid unit to form a monofilament fiber, (b) one or more stages of drawing the monofilament fiber with an orientation ratio of at least 3.0 at a temperature of 50-70° C., (c) one or more stages of drawing the monofilament fiber with an orientation ratio of at least 2.0 at a temperature of 65-75° C., and (d) drawing the monofilament fiber with an orientation ratio greater than 1.0 at a temperature of 70-75° C. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the fiber is drawn in a conductive liquid chamber.