Abstract: A system for making braided barbed sutures includes a filament winding assembly, a barbed insert including an elongated core and barbs extending outwardly from the elongated core, and a barbed insert dispenser opening defining a passageway for orienting the barbed insert as the barbed insert is dispensed into the filament winding assembly. The barbed insert dispenser opening allows longitudinal movement of the barbed insert relative to the barbed insert dispenser opening while simultaneously preventing twisting movement of the barbed insert relative to the barbed insert dispenser opening.

Abstract: A surgical suture includes an elongated core having a first leg and a second leg, a first set of barbs projecting from the first leg of the core, and a second set of barbs projecting from the second leg of the core. The suture has a stop projecting from the core that is located between the first and second sets of barbs, and a braid surrounding the elongated core and the stop for strengthening the suture. The suture includes a pledget having first and second openings extending through the pledget, with the first leg extending through the first pledget opening, the second leg extending through the second pledget opening, and the stop extending between the first and second pledget openings.

Abstract: A system for making braided barbed sutures includes a filament winding assembly, a barbed insert including an elongated core and barbs extending outwardly from the elongated core, and a barbed insert dispenser opening defining a passageway for orienting the barbed insert as the barbed insert is dispensed into the filament winding assembly. The barbed insert dispenser opening allows longitudinal movement of the barbed insert relative to the barbed insert dispenser opening while simultaneously preventing twisting movement of the barbed insert relative to the barbed insert dispenser opening.

Abstract: A wound closure device includes a flexible filament having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends. A plurality of barbs project outwardly from the flexible filament. Each barb has a base connected with the flexible filament, a blunt tip spaced from the base, a leading edge extending between the base and the blunt tip and facing toward the first end of the flexible filament, and a trailing edge extending between the base and the tip and facing toward the second end of the flexible filament. The trailing edge of the barb and the longitudinal axis of the flexible filament define an angle of at least 68° that opens toward the second end of the flexible filament.

Abstract: A system for making braided barbed sutures includes a filament winding assembly, and a guide assembly including at least one barbed insert dispenser opening defining a passageway for orienting a barbed insert. The guide assembly is adapted to dispense at least one barbed insert from the dispenser opening into the filament winding assembly for winding a plurality of filaments around the at least one barbed insert for making a braided barbed suture. The passageway of the dispenser opening is adapted to allow longitudinal movement of the barbed insert relative to the passageway while simultaneously preventing twisting movement of the barbed insert relative to the passageway. As the barbed insert is being dispensed, the barbed insert dispenser opening is selectively rotatable for imparting rotation to the barbed insert as the filaments are wound about the barbed insert. The passageway may be an elongated slit having a greater width than height.

Abstract: A wound closure device includes a filamentary element having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of barbs extending outwardly from the filamentary element. Each barb has a base connected with the filamentary element, a tip spaced from the base, and an outer edge that extends between the base and the tip. The outer edge includes a first section having a concave surface that extends between the base and a transition point of the barb and a second section having a convex surface that extends between the transition point of the barb and the tip of the barb. The outer edge transforms from the concave surface of the first section to the convex curve of the second section at the transition point of the barb. The tip of the barb has a convexly curved surface facing the distal end of the filamentary element.

Abstract: A wound closure device having a filamentary element having a proximal end and a distal end, and a stop element coupled thereto and having a leading edge area defined by thickness and a width and having a total surface area. The leading edge area is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the filamentary element. The device may have a ratio of the leading edge area to the total surface area that is less than 10%, a ratio of the length to the maximum thickness of the stop element that is at least 4, or a ratio of the length to the width of the stop element is at least 1 for any given thickness.

Abstract: A system for making braided barbed sutures includes a filament winding assembly, and a guide assembly including at least one barbed insert dispenser opening defining a passageway . for orienting a barbed insert. The guide assembly is adapted to dispense at least one barbed insert from the dispenser opening into the filament winding assembly for winding a plurality of filaments around the at least One barbed insert for making a braided barbed suture. The passageway of the dispenser opening is adapted to allow longitudinal movement of the barbed insert relative to the passageway while simultaneously preventing twisting movement of the barbed insert relative to the passageway. As the barbed insert is being dispensed, the barbed insert dispenser opening is selectively rotatable for imparting rotation to the barbed insert as the filaments are wound about the barbed insert. The passageway may be an elongated slit having a greater width than height.

Abstract: A system for making braided barbed sutures includes a filament winding assembly, and a guide assembly including at least one barbed insert dispenser opening defining a passageway for orienting a barbed insert. The guide assembly is adapted to dispense at least one barbed insert from the dispenser opening into the filament winding assembly for winding a plurality of filaments around the at least one barbed insert for making a braided barbed suture. The passageway of the dispenser opening is adapted to allow longitudinal movement of the barbed insert relative to the passageway while simultaneously preventing twisting movement of the barbed insert relative to the passageway. As the barbed insert is being dispensed, the barbed insert dispenser opening is selectively rotatable for imparting rotation to the barbed insert as the filaments are wound about the barbed insert. The passageway may be an elongated slit having a greater width than height.

Abstract: A system for making braided barbed sutures includes a filament winding assembly, and a guide assembly including at least one barbed insert dispenser opening defining a passageway for orienting a barbed insert. The guide assembly is adapted to dispense at least one barbed insert from the dispenser opening into the filament winding assembly for winding a plurality of filaments around the at least one barbed insert for making a braided barbed suture. The passageway of the dispenser opening is adapted to allow longitudinal movement of the barbed insert relative to the passageway while simultaneously preventing twisting movement of the barbed insert relative to the passageway. As the barbed insert is being dispensed, the barbed insert dispenser opening is selectively rotatable for imparting rotation to the barbed insert as the filaments are wound about the barbed insert. The passageway may be an elongated slit having a greater width than height.

Abstract: A surgical suture includes an elongated core having a first leg and a second leg, a first set of barbs projecting from the first leg of the core, and a second set of barbs projecting from the second leg of the core. The suture has a stop projecting from the core that is located between the first and second sets of barbs, and a braid surrounding the elongated core and the stop for strengthening the suture. The suture includes a pledget having first and second openings extending therethrough, with the first leg extending through the first pledget opening, the second leg extending through the second pledget opening, and the stop extending between the first and second pledget openings.