Surgical suture derived from segmented polyether-ester block copolymers

Abstract

A synthetic nonabsorbable surgical suture compound of segmented polyether--ester block copolymers is disclosed.

We claim: 
     
       1. .[.A.]. .Iadd.An .Iaddend.annealed non-absorbable monofilament sterile surgical suture of ligature having an attached needle comprising a polymeric block (A) consisting of a polyalkylene ether of the formula ##STR10## having a number average molecular weight of from about 500-3000 wherein R is a straight or branched chain alkyl group of from about 2 to 10 carbon atoms and R 2  is 1,4-phenylene or cyclohexylene and n is the number of repeating units; and a polymeric block (B) which is the reaction product of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or a cycloaliphatic acid, and a short chain aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol, having the formula ##STR11## wherein R 1  is a straight or branched chain alkyl group of from about 2 to 10 carbon atoms or a cyclic group having the formula ##STR12## and R 2  is 1,4-phenylene or cyclohexylene, said block (B) comprising from about 30% to 95% of .[.said.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.copolymer, .[.and said copolymer having a number average molecular weight of from about 25,000 to 30,000,.]. such that said suture has good flexibility .Iadd.as defined by a flexural modulus of less than 3.5×10 5  psi, good fatigue life .Iaddend.and high tensile strength .Iadd.as defined by a straight pull of at least 50,000 psi. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       2. The surgical suture or ligature of claim 1, wherein the polymeric block (B) comprises from about 50% to 85% of the copolymer. 
     
     
       3. The surgical suture or ligature of claim 1, wherein the polymeric block (B) comprises from about 55% to 80% of the copolymer. 
     
     
       4. The surgical suture or ligature of claim 1, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene or butylene. 
     
     
       5. The surgical suture or ligature of claim 4, wherein R is butylene. 
     
     
       6. A surgical suture package comprising a sterile enclosure and therein a non-absorbable monofilament sterile surgical suture or ligature of claim 1. 
     
     
       7. The surgical suture package of claim 6 wherein R is butylene. 
     
     
       8. The surgical suture or ligature of claim 1 or 3 or 5 or 7 wherein said suture or ligature is heated at constant length.