Abstract: Disclosed is a heater device for thermally welding suture strands, including: a substrate extending from a first end to a second end along a substrate axis, and having a substantially planar heater support surface; a joinder layer disposed on the heater support surface; a heater element extending from a first end to a second end along a heater axis thereof and disposed on the joinder layer, the heater element being a layer and being coupled to the support surface by the joinder layer; an electrical interface including a first electrically conductive element coupled to the first end of the heater element, and a second electrically conductive element coupled to the second end of the heater element. In some embodiments, the heater element is elongated along the heater axis.

Abstract: A method of suture welding is disclosed which includes: receiving suture segments between first and second jaw members, the first and second jaw members being in an open state. closing the first and second jaw members to captively hold and position the suture segments between the first and second jaw members; selectively applying an elongated joiner element to the suture segments where the joiner element has a selectively operative heating element facing the suture segments; and applying energy to the heating element to weld the suture segments-to-be-welded, whereby the heating element has a temperature above a predetermined threshold adapted to at least partially melt the suture segments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heater device for thermally welding suture strands, including: a substrate extending from a first end to a second end along a substrate axis, and having a substantially planar heater support surface; a joinder layer disposed on the heater support surface; a heater element extending from a first end to a second end along a heater axis thereof and disposed on the joinder layer, the heater element being a layer and being coupled to the support surface by the joinder layer; an electrical interface including a first electrically conductive element coupled to the first end of the heater element, and a second electrically conductive element coupled to the second end of the heater element.

Abstract: The system components include a peristaltic infusion pump device keyed for cooperation with a mutually keyed receiver which in turn is additionally keyed for receipt of a mutually keyed tube set having a selected fluid flow capacity for delivery of medical fluids at a selected fluid flow rate in a selected direction to or from a patient.