Abstract: A heating element with dimensions less than a centimetre according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a metallic substrate (1) which includes a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 5 W/m·k and an ultimate tensile strength measured at ambient temperature greater than 400 MPa and which includes a working face suitable to be placed in contact with a medium or an element to be heated, a conductive layer (3) which is supported by a face of the substrate opposite the working face and which forms a circuit comprising two power supply elements (A) linked by a thin resistive element (R) and adapted to be connected to a current source, and a dielectric layer (2) interposed between the conductive layer (3) and the metallic substrate (1).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for welding sutures. The apparatus comprises a jaw assembly and a heater element. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw for receiving a first suture segment, and a second jaw for receiving a second suture segment such that the first and the second suture segments overlap. The heater element is positionable and retractable along an axis between the jaws, and is adapted to be positioned between and melt at least opposing surfaces of the overlapping first and second suture segments so that the suture segments can be pressed together and bonded. The method of welding suture segments includes positioning suture segments adjacent to and on opposite sides of a heater element, energizing the heater element such that portions of the suture segments in contact with the heater element melt, withdrawing the heater element, and clamping the suture segments together until the melted portions cool.

Abstract: A suture welder including a first jaw for receiving a first suture segment, and a second jaw for receiving a second suture segment such that the first and the second suture segments overlap. The suture welder also includes a heater element for positioning between and melting at least opposing surfaces of the overlapping first and second suture segments.