Resorbable Suture Material

1 - 30 . (canceled)

31 . An absorbable, thermally steam-treated, surgical suture based on polyglycolic acid and/or lactide copolymer comprising rapid degradation and rapid decrease in knot-pull breaking strength under in vivo conditions and an initial knot-pull breaking strength which is high for the rapid degradation.

32 . The suture based on polyglycolic acid according to claim 31 , wherein the knot-pull breaking strength decreases within 5 days to less than 65% of the initial knot-pull breaking strength.

33 . The suture based on polyglycolic acid according to claim 32 , wherein the knot-pull breaking strength decreases within 14 days to less than 10% of the initial knot-pull breaking strength.

34 . The suture based on lactide copolymer according to claim 31 , wherein the knot-pull breaking strength decreases within 14 days to 75% to 90% of the initial knot pull breaking strength.

35 . The suture based on lactide copolymer according to claim 34 , wherein the knot-pull breaking strength decreases within 28 days to 60% of the initial knot-pull breaking strength.

36 . The suture according to claim 31 , wherein the initial knot-pull breaking strength is at least 65% of the knot-pull breaking strength of non-steam-treated suture.

37 . The suture according to claim 31 , obtainable by thermal treatment of hydrolyzable suture with water vapor.

38 . The suture according to claim 37 , wherein the thermal treatment is a pressurized steam treatment.

39 . The suture according to claim 31 , wherein the knot-pull breaking strength is between 10 N and 90 N.

40 . The suture based on polyglycolic acid according to claim 31 , wherein it has a viscosity number of 0.45-0.65 dl/g.

41 . The suture according to claim 31 , wherein it is a multifil.

42 . The suture according to claim 31 , wherein it has a coating.

43 . A process for producing rapidly absorbable, surgical suture according to claim 31 , wherein the hydrolyzable suture is subjected to a thermal treatment with water vapor.

44 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein the treatment is carried out with water vapor which is free of admixtures.

45 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein the thermal treatment is carried out at a treatment temperature in the range between 100° C. and 150° C.

46 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein the thermal treatment is carried out at a pressure between 1 bar and 5 bar.

47 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein the thermal treatment is carried out over a treatment duration of 4 min to 30 min.

48 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein the suture is dried after the thermal treatment.

49 . The process according to claim 48 , wherein the drying is carried out under reduced pressure.

50 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein the thermal treatment with water vapor is carried out in an autoclave.

51 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein the thermal treatment is carried out with water vapor essentially free of air.

52 . The process according to claim 47 , wherein the initial knot-pull breaking strength of the absorbable, surgical suture produced is set as a function of thread gage.

53 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein suture consisting essentially of polyglycolic acid is treated.

54 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein suture consisting essentially of lactide copolymer is treated.

55 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein multifil suture is treated.

56 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein suture treated has a coating.

57 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein colored suture is treated.

58 . The process according to claim 57 , wherein green or violet suture is treated.

59 . The process according to claim 43 , wherein ready-to-use suture is treated.

60 . Suture obtained by a process according to claim 43 .

61 . Suture obtainable by a process according to claim 43 .