Abstract: A barbed tissue connector is disclosed for use in closing a body wound. The connector includes an elongated body and a pointed end to facilitate insertion of the connector into tissue. A plurality of closely-spaced barbs are disposed on the body from the pointed end of the connector to a predetermined location on the body. The barbs are yieldable toward the body to make it easier to insert the connector in tissue, and the barbs are generally rigid in an opposite direction to hold the connector in the tissue. The body of the connector is substantially rigid and is sufficiently resilient to return to a predetermined position after deflection therefrom. The connector can be manually inserted into the tissue of a patient, or the connector can be inserted by means of an inserting device which is retracted after the connector is in place.

Abstract: An inserting device is disclosed for positioning a barbed tissue connector in tissue to close a wound. The barbed tissue connector is of a type which includes a generally rigid elongated body having a pointed leading end and a plurality of axially spaced barbs on the elongated body. The inserting device comprises a tubular body which is adapted to receive the connector therein with the pointed leading end of the connector protruding from an open leading end of the tubular body. The inserting device and the connector contained therein are positioned in tissue such that at least one of the barbs on the connector is engaging tissue, and the device is then retracted from the tissue, leaving the connector in place.