| abstract |
The densified polyglycolic acid suture braid is characterized by a tightly compacted braid structure, and has a void fraction of up to about 50 percent less than the void fraction of conventionally fabricated nondensified suture braids. The densified braid is prepared by subjecting a nondensified braid to a tensile force of up to about three-fourths that required to break the nondensified braid. The densified suture braid exhibits substantially enhanced in vivo strength retention compared to nondensified braids. |