REACTIVE SURGICAL IMPLANT

1 . A medical device comprising:

a substrate comprising at least one synthetic component;

at least one natural material on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate; and

a reactive component selectively applied to at least a portion of the medical device,

wherein the reactive component reacts with the at least one natural material to form at least one crosslinked region on the surface of the substrate.

2 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinked regions include visible markings.

3 . The medical device of claim 2 , wherein the markings form a pattern on the surface of the substrate.

4 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinked regions increase stiffness to portions of the substrate to which they are applied.

5 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinked regions are disposed at a periphery of the surface of the substrate.

6 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinked regions extend to extremities of the substrate.

7 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the reactive component is selected from the group consisting of genipin, isocyanates, N-hydroxy succinimides, cyanoacrylates, aldehydes, diimides, cyanamide, carbodiimides, dimethyl adipimidate, starches, and combinations thereof.

8 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the reactive component comprises genipin.

9 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one synthetic component includes polymers derived from lactides, glycolides, caprolactones, valerolactones, carbonates, dioxanones, 1,dioxepanones, ethylene glycols, ethylene oxides, esteramides, γ-hydroxyvalerates, β-hydroxypropionates, alpha-hydroxy acids, hydroxybutyrates, poly (ortho esters), hydroxy alkanoates, tyrosine carbonates, poly(imide carbonates), poly(imino carbonates), polyurethanes, polyanhydrides, polymer drugs, fluoroethylenes, fluoropropylenes, fluoropolyethylene glycols, polyolefins, polyesters, nylons, polyamides, silicones, polybutesters, polyaryletherketones, and combinations thereof.

10 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one natural material comprises amine functional groups.

11 . The medical device of claim 10 , wherein the at least one natural material comprises collagen.

12 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of sutures, staples, stents, meshes, tapes, gauzes, soft tissue repair devices, buttresses, bands, ribbons, grafts, scaffolds, wound dressings, and foams.

13 . The medical device of claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises a mesh.

14 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device further comprises a polymer coating.

15 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device further comprises a bioactive agent.

16 . A method of increasing the stiffness of a mesh, the method comprising:

providing a substrate comprising at least one synthetic component in combination with at least one natural material comprising amine groups on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate;

contacting the substrate with a genipin solution; and

allowing the natural material and genipin to crosslink thereby creating localized crosslinked regions on the surface of the substrate,

wherein the localized crosslinked regions increase stiffness of the mesh.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the crosslinked regions are visually identifiable.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the crosslinked regions are disposed at a periphery of the surface of the substrate.

19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one synthetic component includes polymers derived from lactides, glycolides, caprolactones, valerolactones, carbonates, dioxanones, 1,dioxepanones, ethylene glycols, ethylene oxides, esteramides, γ-hydroxyvalerates, β-hydroxypropionates, alpha-hydroxy acids, hydroxybutyrates, poly (ortho esters), hydroxy alkanoates, tyrosine carbonates, poly(imide carbonates), poly(imino carbonates), polyurethanes, polyanhydrides, polymer drugs, fluoroethylenes, fluoropropylenes, fluoropolyethylene glycols, polyolefins, polyesters, nylons, polyamides, silicones, polybutesters, polyaryletherketones, and combinations thereof.

20 . A surgical mesh comprising:

a polyester substrate;

a collagen film on at least a portion of a surface of the polyester substrate; and

a reactive component comprising genipin selectively applied to at least a portion of the mesh,

wherein the genipin crosslinks the collagen, thereby increasing stiffness of the mesh.

21 . The surgical mesh of claim 20 , wherein the substrate comprises a woven fabric.