Absorbable copolymers and blends of 6,6-dialkyl-1,4-dioxepan-2-one and its cyclic dimer

Claim 2

A copolymer comprising a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR9## in which R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups and a second repeating unit is generated from a monomer selected from the group of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide (1, d, dl and meso), 3-methyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-one, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, delta-valerolactone, epsilon-decalactone, pivalolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, epsilon-caprolactone and combinations thereof and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer.

Claim 3

The copolymer of claim 1 wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same alkyl group.

Claim 4

The copolymer of claim 2 wherein the second repeating unit has a chemical formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR10## combinations of two or more thereof wherein R is a hydrogen atom or methyl group.

Claim 5

The copolymer of claim 3 wherein the copolymer is selected from the group consisting of: a) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer of the first repeating unit the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit; b) a random copolymer comprising the first repeating unit and the second repeating unit; c) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing the second repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer being the first repeating unit; and d) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing less than 45 weight percent of the first repeating unit and greater than 55 weight percent of the second repeating unit in the prepolymer and the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit.

Claim 6

The copolymer of claim 1 wherein the copolymer is the reaction product of a prepolymer of the first repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer is the second repeating unit.

Claim 7

The copolymer of claim 1 wherein the copolymer is the statistically random copolymer of the first repeating unit and the second repeating unit.

Claim 8

The copolymer of claim 1 wherein the copolymer comprises the reaction product of a prepolymer containing the second repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer being the first repeating unit.

Claim 9

The copolymer of claim 1 wherein the copolymer is the reaction product of a prepolymer containing less than 45 weight percent of the first repeating unit and greater than 55 weight percent of the second repeating unit in the prepolymer and the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit.

Claim 10

The copolymer of claim 3 wherein the second repeating unit is of the chemical formula: ##STR11##

Claim 11

The copolymer of claim 7 wherein additionally present with the first repeating unit in the remainder of the copolymer is the second repeating unit.

Claim 12

A surgical device comprising a copolymer composed of a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR12## in which R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups and a second repeating unit is generated from a monomer selected from the group of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide (1, d, dl and meso), 3-methyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-one, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, delta-valerolactone, epsilon-decalactone, pivalolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, epsilon-caprolactone and combinations thereof and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer.

Claim 13

A surgical device comprising a copolymer composed of a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR12## in which R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups and a second repeating unit is generated from a monomer selected from the group of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide (1, d, dl and meso), 3-methyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-one, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, delta-valerolactone, epsilon-decalactone, pivalolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, epsilon-caprolactone and combinations thereof and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer.

Claim 14

The surgical device of claim 11 wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same alkyl group.

Claim 15

The surgical device of claim 12 wherein the second repeating unit has a chemical formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR13## and combinations of two or more thereof wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

Claim 16

The surgical device of claim 13 wherein the copolymer is selected from the group consisting of: a) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer of the first repeating unit the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit; b) a random copolymer comprising the first repeating unit and the second repeating unit; c) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing the second repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer being the first repeating unit; and d) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing less than 45 weight percent of the first repeating unit and greater than 55 weight percent of the second repeating unit in the prepolymer and the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit.

Claim 17

The surgical device of claim 11 wherein the surgical device is selected from the group consisting of sutures, ligaments, ribbons, pins, screws, clamps, plates, films, medical dressings, hernia patches, gauze, meshes, fabrics, felts, sponges, surgical staples, hemostatic clips, suture knot clips, hooks, buttons, snaps, bone substitutes and vascular implants.

Claim 18

The surgical device of claim 11 wherein the copolymer is the reaction product of a prepolymer of the first repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer is the second repeating unit.

Claim 19

The surgical device of claim 11 wherein the copolymer is a statistically random copolymer comprising the first repeating unit and the second repeating unit.

Claim 20

The surgical device of claim 11 wherein the copolymer is the reaction product of a prepolymer containing the second repeating unit the remainder of the copolymer being the first repeating unit.

Claim 21

The surgical device of claim 11 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing less than 45 weight percent of the first repeating unit and greater than 55 weight percent of the second repeating unit in the prepolymer and the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit.

Claim 22

The surgical device of claim 11 wherein the surgical device is a suture.

Claim 23

The surgical device of claim 13 wherein the surgical device is a suture.

Claim 24

The surgical device of claim 21 wherein the suture is attached to at least one needle.

Claim 25

The surgical device of claim 11 wherein additionally present with the first repeating unit in the remainder of the copolymer is the second repeating unit.

Claim 26

A suture coated with a copolymer composed of a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR14## in which R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups and a second repeating unit is generated from a monomer selected from the group of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide (1, d, dl and meso), 3-methyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-one, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, delta-valerolactone, epsilon-decalactone, pivalolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, epsilon-caprolactone and combinations thereof and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer.

Claim 27

A suture coated with a copolymer composed of a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR14## in which R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups and a second repeating unit is generated from a monomer selected from the group of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide (1, d, dl and meso), 3-methyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-one, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, delta-valerolactone, epsilon-decalactone, pivalolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, epsilon-caprolactone and combinations thereof and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer.

Claim 28

The suture coated with the copolymer of claim 24 wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same alkyl group.

Claim 29

The suture coated with the copolymer of claim 25 wherein the second repeating unit has a chemical formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR15## and combinations of two or more thereof wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

Claim 30

The suture coated with the copolymer of claim 26 wherein the copolymer is selected from the group consisting of: a) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer of the first repeating unit the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit; b) a random copolymer comprising the first repeating unit and the second repeating unit; c) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing the second repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer being the first repeating unit; and d) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing less than 45 weight percent of the first repeating unit and greater than 55 weight percent of the second repeating unit in the prepolymer and the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit.

Claim 31

The coated suture of claim 24 wherein the copolymer is the reaction product of a prepolymer of the first repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer is the second repeating unit.

Claim 32

The coated suture of claim 24 wherein the copolymer is a statistically random copolymer comprising the first repeating unit and the second repeating unit.

Claim 33

The coated suture of claim 24 wherein the copolymer is the reaction product of a prepolymer containing the second repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer being the first repeating unit.

Claim 34

The coated suture of claim 24 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing less than 45 weight percent of the first repeating unit and greater than 55 weight percent of the second repeating unit in the prepolymer and the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit.

Claim 35

The copolymer of claim 26 wherein the second repeating unit is of the formula: ##STR16##

Claim 36

The coated suture of claim 24 wherein the suture is attached to at least one needle.

Claim 37

A surgical device having at least a part thereof made from a polymeric blend composed of at least one first polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers (including segmented block copolymers and graft copolymers) prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, L-lactide, D-lactide, D,L-lactide, meso-lactide, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, ε-caprolactone, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one and combinations thereof; and a second polymer having a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR17## in which R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups and optionally a second repeating unit is generated from a monomer selected from the group of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide (1, d, dl and meso), 3-methyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-one, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, delta-valerolactone, epsilon-decalactone, pivalolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, epsilon-caprolactone and combinations thereof and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer.

Claim 38

A surgical device having at least a part thereof made from a polymeric blend composed of at least one first polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers (including segmented block copolymers and graft copolymers) prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, L-lactide, D-lactide, D,L-lactide, meso-lactide, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, ε-caprolactone, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one and combinations thereof; and a second polymer having a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR17## in which R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups and optionally a second repeating unit is generated from a monomer selected from the group of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide (1, d, dl and meso), 3-methyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-one, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, delta-valerolactone, epsilon-decalactone, pivalolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, epsilon-caprolactone and combinations thereof and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer.

Claim 39

The surgical device of claim 34 wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same alkyl group.

Claim 40

The surgical device of claim 35 wherein the second repeating unit has a chemical formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR18## and combinations of two or more thereof wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

Claim 41

The surgical device of claim 34 wherein the copolymer is selected from the group consisting of: a) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer of the first repeating unit the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit; b) a statistically random copolymer comprising the first repeating unit and the second repeating unit; c) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing the second repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer being the first repeating unit; and d) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing less than 45 weight percent of the first repeating unit and greater than 55 weight percent of the second repeating unit in the prepolymer and the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit.

Claim 42

The surgical device of claim 34 wherein the surgical device is selected from the group consisting of sutures, ligaments, ribbons, pins, screws, clamps, plates, films, medical dressings, hernia patches, gauze, meshes, fabrics, felts, sponges, surgical staples, hemostatic clips, suture knot clips, hooks, buttons, snaps, bone substitutes and vascular implants.

Claim 43

The surgical device of claim 34 wherein the second polymer is the reaction product of a prepolymer of the first repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer is the second repeating unit.

Claim 44

The surgical device of claim 34 wherein the second polymer is a statistically random copolymer comprising the first repeating unit and the second repeating unit.

Claim 45

The surgical device of claim 34 wherein the second polymer is the reaction product of a prepolymer containing the second repeating unit the remainder of the copolymer being the first repeating unit.

Claim 46

The surgical device of claim 34 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing less than 45 weight percent of the first repeating unit and greater than 55 weight percent of the second repeating unit in the prepolymer and the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit.

Claim 47

The surgical device of claim 36 wherein the surgical device is selected from the group consisting of sutures, ligaments, ribbons, pins, screws, clamps, plates, films, medical dressings, hernia patches, gauze, meshes, fabrics, felts, sponges, surgical staples, hemostatic clips, suture knot clips, hooks, buttons, snaps, bone substitutes and vascular implants.

Claim 48

The surgical device of claim 43 wherein the surgical device is a surgical staple.

Claim 49

The surgical device of claim 44 wherein the surgical device is a hemostatic clip.

Claim 50

The surgical device of claim 34 wherein additionally present with the first repeating unit in the remainder of the copolymer is the second repeating unit.

Claim 51

A polymeric blend composed of at least one first polymer selected from homopolymers and copolymers (including segmented block copolymers and graft copolymers) prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, L-lactide, D-lactide, D,L-lactide, meso-lactide, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, ε-caprolactone, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one and combinations thereof; and a second polymer having a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR19## in which R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups and a second repeating unit is generated from a monomer selected from the group of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide (1, d, dl and meso), 3-methyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-one, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, delta-valerolactone, epsilon-decalactone, pivalolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, epsilon-caprolactone and combinations thereof and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer.

Claim 52

A polymeric blend composed of at least one first polymer selected from homopolymers and copolymers (including segmented block copolymers and graft copolymers) prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, L-lactide, D-lactide, D,L-lactide, meso-lactide, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, ε-caprolactone, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one and combinations thereof; and a second polymer having a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR19## in which R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups and a second repeating unit is generated from a monomer selected from the group of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide (1, d, dl and meso), 3-methyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-one, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, delta-valerolactone, epsilon-decalactone, pivalolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, epsilon-caprolactone and combinations thereof and the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer.

Claim 53

The polymeric blend of claim 47 wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same alkyl group.

Claim 54

The polymeric blend of claim 48 wherein the second repeating unit has a chemical formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR20## and combinations of two or more thereof wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

Claim 55

The polymeric blend of claim 47 wherein the copolymer is selected from the group consisting of: a) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer of the first repeating unit the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit; b) a statistically random copolymer comprising the first repeating unit and the second repeating unit; c) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing the second repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer being the first repeating unit; and d) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing less than 45 weight percent of the first repeating unit and greater than 55 weight percent of the second repeating unit in the prepolymer and the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit.

Claim 56

A polyoxaester having a formula selected from the group consisting of (--C(O)--C(R.sub.3) (R.sub.4)--O--R.sub.5 --O--C(R.sub.3) (R.sub.4)--C(O)--(O--R.sub.6).sub.A --O).sub.S (Q).sub.B !.sub.WXII and (--C(O)--C(R.sub.3) (R.sub.4)--O--R.sub.5 --O--C(R.sub.3) (R.sub.4)--C(O)--(O--R.sub.6).sub.A --O).sub.S ( Q!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G!.sub.W XIII wherein R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R 5 is an alkylene containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms or is an oxyaIkylene group of the following formula: -- (CH.sub.2)C--O--!.sub.D --(CH.sub.2).sub.E IV wherein C is an integer in the range of from about 2 to about 5, D is an integer in the range of from about 0 to about 2,000, and E is an integer in the range of from about 2 to about 5 except when D is zero in which event E is an integer from 1 to 12; R 6 is an alkylene unit containing from 2 to 8 methylene units; A is an integer in the range of from 1 to about 2,000; B is an integer in the range of from 1 to n such that the number average molecular weight of Q is less than about 100,000; Q is an aliphatic polyester having at least a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR21## wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups; P is an integer in the range of from 1 to m such that the number average molecular weight of the formula: ( Q!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G is less than about 100,000; G represents the residue minus from 1 to L hydrogen atoms from the hydroxyl groups of an alcohol previously containing from 1 to about 200 hydroxyl groups; L is an integer from about 1 to about 200; and S is an integer in the range of from about 1 to about 1,000; and W is an integer in the range of from about 1 to about 1,000.

Claim 57

A polyoxaester having a formula selected from the group consisting of (--C(O)--C(R.sub.3) (R.sub.4)--O--R.sub.5 --O--C(R.sub.3) (R.sub.4)--C(O)--(O--R.sub.6).sub.A --O).sub.S (Q).sub.B !.sub.WXII and (--C(O)--C(R.sub.3) (R.sub.4)--O--R.sub.5 --O--C(R.sub.3) (R.sub.4)--C(O)--(O--R.sub.6).sub.A --O).sub.S ( Q!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G!.sub.W XIII wherein R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R 5 is an alkylene containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms or is an oxyaIkylene group of the following formula: -- (CH.sub.2)C--O--!.sub.D --(CH.sub.2).sub.E IV wherein C is an integer in the range of from about 2 to about 5, D is an integer in the range of from about 0 to about 2,000, and E is an integer in the range of from about 2 to about 5 except when D is zero in which event E is an integer from 1 to 12; R 6 is an alkylene unit containing from 2 to 8 methylene units; A is an integer in the range of from 1 to about 2,000; B is an integer in the range of from 1 to n such that the number average molecular weight of Q is less than about 100,000; Q is an aliphatic polyester having at least a first repeating unit of the chemical formula: ##STR21## wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently alkyl groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl groups; P is an integer in the range of from 1 to m such that the number average molecular weight of the formula: ( Q!.sub.P --O--).sub.L G is less than about 100,000; G represents the residue minus from 1 to L hydrogen atoms from the hydroxyl groups of an alcohol previously containing from 1 to about 200 hydroxyl groups; L is an integer from about 1 to about 200; and S is an integer in the range of from about 1 to about 1,000; and W is an integer in the range of from about 1 to about 1,000.

Claim 58

The polyoxaester of claim 51 wherein the aliphatic polyester additionally contains a second repeating unit generated from a monomer selected from the group of glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide (1, d, dl and meso), 3-methyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-one, 1,4-dioxan-2-one, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, delta-valerolactone, epsilon-decalactone, pivalolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, epsilon-caprolactone and combinations thereof.

Claim 59

The polyoxaester of claim 52 wherein the first repeating unit is less than 45 weight percent of the total weight of the copolymer.

Claim 60

The polyoxaester of claim 51 wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same alkyl group.

Claim 61

The polyoxaester of claim 54 wherein the second repeating unit has a chemical formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR22## and combinations of two or more thereof wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

Claim 62

The polyoxaester of claim 47 wherein the aliphatic polyester is a copolymer selected from the group consisting of: a) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer of the first repeating unit the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit; b) a statistically random copolymer comprising the first repeating unit and the second repeating unit; c) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing the second repeating unit and the remainder of the copolymer being the first repeating unit; and d) a copolymer comprising the reaction product of a prepolymer containing less than 45 weight percent of the first repeating unit and greater than 55 weight percent of the second repeating unit in the prepolymer and the remainder of the copolymer being the second repeating unit.

Claim 63

The copolymer of claim 1 wherein R 1 and R 2 are methyl groups.

Claim 64

The surgical device of claim 11 wherein R 1 and R 2 are methyl groups.

Claim 65

The suture coated with a copolymer of claim 24 wherein R 1 and R 2 are methyl groups.

Claim 66

The surgical device of claim 34 wherein R 1 and R 2 are methyl groups.

Claim 67

The polymeric blend of claim 47 wherein R 1 and R 2 are methyl groups.

Claim 68

The polyoxaester of claim 51 wherein R 1 and R 2 are methyl groups.