Abstract: System, including apparatus and methods, for positioning medical material in living tissue using hollow elements that are formed unitarily from a synthetic bioabsorbable material. The hollow elements are optionally filled with a core material and a heat shrink process is performed so that the hollow elements are tightened around the core material.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing string material such as suture from a rotating spool housed in a sealed housing which is filled with a liquid, for example an antiseptic fluid. The housing forms a hollow member into which the spool of suture is disposed so as to be freely rotatable. An end of the suture extends from the interior of the housing through a wiper member so as to be grasped by a user. The suture spool comprises an increased diameter core member which allows the entire length of suture stored thereon to be usable in an uncoiled manner when removed from the device. The center portion or core of the suture spool has a closed periphery so as to reduce the amount of antiseptic required to fill the interior of the housing and maintain the suture sterile. Also, the sidewalls of the housing are provided with projections that engage the sidewalls of the spool to permit a user to grasp and apply force against the housing while withdrawing the suture without slowing or stopping rotation of the spool.