Abstract: A barbed suture including a body with barbs on the periphery, a pointed end, and an anchor at one end to resist movement of the suture in the direction of the pointed end is provided. One or more limbs on the anchor may be provided, which may be arcuate, of varying lengths, and of varying distribution about the periphery of the suture body. Other anchor designs are provided. Methods of placing single-directional and bi-directional barbed sutures to approximate the tissue on each side of a wound and to position and support tissue in the absence of a wound, as in cosmetic surgery, are provided, and may include terminal J-stitches or S-stitches. Methods of placement may be made with sharp, pointed ends, which may be needles, or insertion devices. Sinusoidal patterns of sutures that have amplitudes generally perpendicular to the resultant holding force of the suture are provided.

Abstract: A barbed suture including a body with barbs on the periphery, a pointed end, and an anchor at one end to resist movement of the suture in the direction of the pointed end is provided. One or more limbs on the anchor may be provided, which may be arcuate, of varying lengths, and of varying distribution about the periphery of the suture body. Other anchor designs are provided. Methods of placing single-directional and bi-directional barbed sutures to approximate the tissue on each side of a wound and to position and support tissue in the absence of a wound, as in cosmetic surgery, are provided, and may include terminal J-stitches or S-stitches. Methods of placement may be made with sharp, pointed ends, which may be needles, or Insertion devices. Sinusoidal patterns of sutures that have amplitudes generally perpendicular to the resultant holding force of the suture are provided.

Abstract: A barbed suture including a body with barbs on the periphery, a pointed end, and an anchor at one end to resist movement of the suture in the direction of the pointed end is provided. One or more limbs on the anchor may be provided, which may be arcuate, of varying lengths, and of varying distribution about the periphery of the suture body. Other anchor designs are provided. Methods of placing single-directional and bi-directional barbed sutures to approximate the tissue on each side of a wound and to position and support tissue in the absence of a wound, as in cosmetic surgery, are provided, and may include terminal J-stitches or S-stitches. Methods of placement may be made with sharp, pointed ends, which may be needles, or insertion devices. Sinusoidal patterns of sutures that have amplitudes generally perpendicular to the resultant holding force of the suture are provided.

Abstract: A barbed suture including a body with barbs on the periphery, a pointed end, and an anchor at one end to resist movement of the suture in the direction of the pointed end is provided. One or more limbs on the anchor may be provided, which may be arcuate, of varying lengths, and of varying distribution about the periphery of the suture body. Other anchor designs are provided. Methods of placing single-directional and bi-directional barbed sutures to approximate the tissue on each side of a wound and to position and support tissue in the absence of a wound, as in cosmetic surgery, are provided, and may include terminal J-stitches or S-stitches. Methods of placement may be made with sharp, pointed ends, which may be needles, or insertion devices. Sinusoidal patterns of sutures that have amplitudes generally perpendicular to the resultant holding force of the suture are provided.

Abstract: A barbed suture including a body with barbs on the periphery, a pointed end, and an anchor at one end to resist movement of the suture in the direction of the pointed end is provided. One or more limbs on the anchor may be provided, which may be arcuate, of varying lengths, and of varying distribution about the periphery of the suture body. Other anchor designs are provided. Methods of placing single-directional and bi-directional barbed sutures to approximate the tissue on each side of a wound and to position and support tissue in the absence of a wound, as in cosmetic surgery, are provided, and may include terminal J-stitches or S-stitches. Methods of placement may be made with sharp, pointed ends, which may be needles, or insertion devices. Sinusoidal patterns of sutures that have amplitudes generally perpendicular to the resultant holding force of the suture are provided.

Abstract: A wearable limb restraint comprises a resilient flexible cord having a first end and a second end. A magnet is disposed at each of the first end and the second end of the cord. The magnets are configured to removably attach to each other one in order to form a closed loop with the cord.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring tension of skin comprises a first rigid leg, a second rigid leg, and means for pivotally connecting proximal ends of the first leg and the second leg such that distal ends of the first leg and the second leg can be moved toward and away from one another. A gauge is carried by one of the first leg or the second leg for giving an indication of the spacing between the distal ends of the first leg and the second leg. Indicia is carried by the other of the first leg or the second leg. A spring arm is connected for resilient, flexible movement relative to one of the first leg or the second leg.

Abstract: A barbed suture for connecting tissue, and a combination surgical needle with a barbed suture. The suture includes an elongated body and a plurality of barbs projecting from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. The disposition of the barbs on the body may be staggered, twist cut multiple spiral, overlapping, or random. Also, the configuration of the barbs may be a certain spirality angle ?, barb cut angle ?, barb cut depth, barb cut length, barb cut distance, corrugated barb underside, arcuate barb base, or varying barb size.

Abstract: A barbed suture with a first end and a second end and a body with a plurality of barbs extending from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. Projections extend from said suture. The projections can also engage tissue. The barbs cover the projections when the first end of the suture is moved in tissue and exposes the projections in order to engage tissue when the suture is moved in the direction of the second end through tissue.

Abstract: A wearable limb restraint comprises a resilient flexible cord having a first end and a second end. A magnet is disposed at each of the first end and the second end of the cord. The magnets are configured to removably attach to each other one in order to form a closed loop with the cord.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring tension of skin comprises a first rigid leg, a second rigid leg, and means for pivotally connecting proximal ends of the first leg and the second leg such that distal ends of the first leg and the second leg can be moved toward and away from one another. A gauge is carried by one of the first leg or the second leg for giving an indication of the spacing between the distal ends of the first leg and the second leg. Indicia is carried by the other of the first leg or the second leg. A spring arm is connected for resilient, flexible movement relative to one of the first leg or the second leg.

Abstract: A barbed suture with a first end and a second end and a body with a plurality of barbs extending from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. Projections extend from said suture. The projections can also engage tissue. The barbs cover the projections when the first end of the suture is moved in tissue and exposes the projections in order to engage tissue when the suture is moved in the direction of the second end through tissue.

Abstract: A barbed suture for connecting tissue, and a combination surgical needle with a barbed suture. The suture includes an elongated body and a plurality of barbs projecting from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. The disposition of the barbs on the body may be staggered, twist cut multiple spiral, overlapping, or random. Also, the configuration of the barbs may be a certain spirality angle ?, barb cut angle ?, barb cut depth, barb cut length, barb cut distance, corrugated barb underside, arcuate barb base, or varying barb size.

Abstract: A method for joining and holding closed a wound in bodily tissue, fastening junctions of wounds, tying off wounds, joining a foreign element to tissue, and altering the position of tissue using a barbed suture including sharp pointed ends. Each end of the suture includes barbs on that permit movement in an opposing direction to the barbs on the other end of the suture. This two-way barbed suture is used by the method of the present invention in applications including abdominal surgeries such as a Nissen fundoplication, laparoscopic uses such as stabilizing a bowel structure and performing a closure of a cystostomy, liver to bowel anastomosis, closure of an orifice of a Zenker's Diverticulum, endoscopic uses such as closure of ulcerative lesions or and post-procedural tissue defects, bladder wound closure, valve replacement surgery, device attachment, cosmetic surgery, and blood vessel wound closure.

Abstract: A barbed suture with a first end and a second end and a body with a plurality of barbs extending from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. Projections extend from said suture. The projections can also engage tissue. The barbs cover the projections when the first end of the suture is moved in tissue and exposes the projections in order to engage tissue when the suture is moved in the direction of the second end through tissue.

Abstract: A barbed suture for connecting tissue, and a combination surgical needle with a barbed suture. The suture includes an elongated body and a plurality of barbs projecting from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. The disposition of the barbs on the body may be staggered, twist cut multiple spiral, overlapping, or random. Also, the configuration of the barbs may be a certain spirality angle ?, barb cut angle ?, barb cut depth, barb cut length, barb cut distance, corrugated barb underside, arcuate barb base, or varying barb size.

Abstract: A barbed suture including a body with barbs on the periphery, a pointed end, and an anchor at one end to resist movement of the suture in the direction of the pointed end is provided. One or more limbs on the anchor may be provided, which may be arcuate, of varying lengths, and of varying distribution about the periphery of the suture body. Other anchor designs are provided. Methods of placing single-directional and bi-directional barbed sutures to approximate the tissue on each side of a wound and to position and support tissue in the absence of a wound, as in cosmetic surgery, are provided, and may include terminal J-stitches or S-stitches. Methods of placement may be made with sharp, pointed ends, which may be needles, or insertion devices. Sinusoidal patterns of sutures that have amplitudes generally perpendicular to the resultant holding force of the suture are provided.

Abstract: A barbed suture including a body with barbs on the periphery, a pointed end, and an anchor at one end to resist movement of the suture in the direction of the pointed end is provided. One or more limbs on the anchor may be provided, which may be arcuate, of varying lengths, and of varying distribution about the periphery of the suture body. Other anchor designs are provided. Methods of placing single-directional and bi-directional barbed sutures to approximate the tissue on each side of a wound and to position and support tissue in the absence of a wound, as in cosmetic surgery, are provided, and may include terminal J-stitches or S-stitches. Methods of placement may be made with sharp, pointed ends, which may be needles, or insertion devices. Sinusoidal patterns of sutures that have amplitudes generally perpendicular to the resultant holding force of the suture are provided.

Abstract: A barbed suture for connecting tissue, and a combination surgical needle with a barbed suture. The suture includes an elongated body and a plurality of barbs projecting from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. The disposition of the barbs on the body may be staggered, twist cut multiple spiral, overlapping, or random. Also, the configuration of the barbs may be a certain spirality angle ?, barb cut angle ?, barb cut depth, barb cut length, barb cut distance, corrugated barb underside, arcuate barb base, or varying barb size.

Abstract: A tissue connector has a first pointed end, an anchor end, a body with a periphery and a plurality of barbs projecting from said periphery of said body. The plurality of barbs are yieldable in one direction, which direction is the direction of motion of the first pointed end through tissue, and are rigid in an opposite direction, which is in the direction of the anchor end. At axial locations of said body, said barbs are about equally located about the periphery of said body. At axial locations on a cylindrical periphery of the body barbs are locate at about 120 degree spacings. The barbs are conically shaped.