Method for making fast absorbing sutures by hydrolysis

1. A method comprising the steps of a) providing a surgical article made from a bioabsorbable material; b) subjecting the surgical article to an atmosphere of about 20% to about 70% relative humidity, at a temperature in the range of about 80° F. to about 200° F. for a period of time sufficient to predegrade the material; and c) coating the predegraded surgical article.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the bioabsorbable material is a material selected from the group consisting of polymers of glycolide, lactide, caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, dioxanone and physical and chemical combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises a copolymer of glycolide and lactide.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises a random copolymer derived from a major amount of glycolide and a minor amount of lactide.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the random copolymer contains about 92 weight percent glycolide and about 8 weight percent lactide.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein step (b) comprises exposing the surgical article to a temperature of from about 125° F. to about 135° F.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) lasts for about 1 to about 12 days.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises exposing the surgical article to an atmosphere of about 45% to about 55% relative humidity.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) lasts about 5 to about 8 days.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing a surgical article comprises providing a suture.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the suture is a braided suture.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the suture is made from a random copolymer of glycolide and lactide.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the suture is a braided multifilament suture.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the suture is coated with a copolymer of ε-caprolactone and glycolide.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the surgical article is sterilized prior to step (b).

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of sterilizing the surgical article after step (b).

17. An article of manufacture comprising a moisture impervious package containing a suture including one or more filaments of a synthetic bioabsorbable polymer, the filaments having been exposed to an atmosphere of about 20% to about 70% relative humidity at a temperature in the range of about 80 to about 200° F. for at least one day and then coated prior to being packaged.

18. The article of claim 17 wherein the synthetic bioabsorbable polymer is selected from the group consisting of polymers of glycolide, lactide, caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, dioxanone and physical and chemical combinations thereof.

19. The article of claim 17 wherein the synthetic bioabsorbable polymer comprises a random copolymer of glycolide and lactide.

20. The article of claim 17 wherein the one or more filaments are exposed to an atmosphere of about 45% to about 55% relative humidity at a temperature of from about 125° F. to about 135° F. prior to being packaged.

21. A method of suturing a wound comprising the steps of: a) providing a needled suture, the suture including one or more coated filaments of a synthetic bioabsorbable polymer, the filaments having been exposed prior to being coated to an atmosphere of about 20% to about 70% relative humidity, at a temperature in the range of about 80° F. to about 200° F. for a period of time sufficient to predegrade the needled suture; and b) passing the predegraded needled suture through tissue surrounding the wound to create wound closure.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the suture possesses about 50% of its original strength at day 5 following step (b).

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the suture possesses about 0% of its original strength after about 10 to about 14 days following step (b).