title: A bioabsorbable microcatheter for the continuous and direct treatment of surgical sites.
abstract: A bioabsorbable microcatheter comprising of a polyglycolideco-lactide microtube and an absorbable braid is developed for the continuous delivery of therapeutic fluids directly to a surgical site. Studies conducted with tissue staining dye and radio-opaque solution using porcine models indicate that infusion of fluids in the wound site is rapid and complete. The tissue reaction to the microtube and braid is generally characterized by minimal to mild chronic inflammation or foreign body reaction that decreases in severity as the material is absorbed. The microtube is considered to be absorbed at 56 days postimplantation while the bulk of the braid is considered to be absorbed by 70 days postimplantation.
authors.affiliation: Ethicon Inc., A Johnson and Johnson Company, U.S. Highway 22 West, Somerville, NJ 08876, USA. fcichock@ethus.jnj.com
authors.forename: Frank R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Cichocki
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Barbolt
authors.forename: Sandy J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Savidge
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011098:Polyglactin 910 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D011098:Polyglactin 910