Abstract: A suture system has a plurality of double ended barbed sutures each with a first plurality of barbs located adjacent to a first end and a second plurality of barbs located adjacent to a second end, and a body connector that connects said plurality of double ended barbed sutures. The body connector is located between the first plurality of barbs and the second plurality of barbs on each of the sutures. The sutures can move relative to the body connector. The body connector can retain tissue.

Abstract: A suture system has a double ended barbed suture with a first plurality of barbs located adjacent to a first end and a second plurality of barbs located adjacent to a second end, and a body located between the first plurality of barbs and the second plurality of barbs. The body provides an anchor that can hold tissue relative to the first end and the second end of the suture. The body can slide and be positioned on said suture.

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 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 suture anchor is provided for approximating tissue to bone or other tissue. The suture anchor comprises an anchor member to fixedly engage the bone for securing the anchor member relative to the bone. A plurality of sutures are mounted to the proximal end of the anchor member so that the sutures extend outwardly from the anchor member. Each suture has a sharp pointed distal end for penetrating the tissue and a plurality of barbs extending from the periphery and disposed along the length of the body of the suture. The barbs permit movement of the sutures through the tissue in a direction of movement of the pointed end and prevent movement of the sutures relative to the tissue in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the pointed end. At least one pointed distal end of at least one suture comprises a needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting barbs into a suture having a filament supply. The apparatus also has an in-feed collet for holding one end of a filament threaded therethrough. Further the apparatus has an out-feed collet for holding a second end of a filament threaded therethrough. Additionally, the apparatus has a holder positioned between said in-feed and out-feed collets for holding a filament suspended between the in-feed and out-feed collets. The apparatus also has a cutting assembly for cutting barbs in the filament tensioned between the in-feed and out-feed collets.

Abstract: A suture system has a plurality of double ended barbed sutures each with a first plurality of barbs located adjacent to a first end and a second plurality of barbs located adjacent to a second end, and a body connector that connects said plurality of double ended barbed sutures. The body connector is located between the first plurality of barbs and the second plurality of barbs on each of the sutures. The sutures can move relative to the body connector. The body connector can retain tissue.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a procedure to reposition a portion of a breast using a suture including a plurality of barbs. The barbs on a first portion of the suture adjacent a first end of the suture permit movement of the suture through tissue in a direction of movement of the first end and prevent movement of the suture through tissue in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the first end. The barbs on a second portion of the suture adjacent a second end of the suture permit movement of the suture through tissue in a direction of movement of the second end and prevent movement of the suture through tissue in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the second end.

Abstract: Subcutaneous sinusoidal wound-closure techniques use one-way sutures. The one-way sutures have tissue-grasping surface features which allow passage of the suture in one direction through tissue, but not in the opposite direction. In closing a wound, the one-way suture is deployed along a curvilinear path which passes alternately through subcutaneous tissue on opposed sides of the wound. The wound-closure techniques allow approximation of the sides of the wound without knots, avoid loop stitching and reduce scarring.

Abstract: A suture system has a plurality of barbed sutures each with a plurality of barbs and a body connector that connects said plurality of barbed sutures. The sutures can move relative to the body connector. The body connector can retain tissue.

Abstract: An anastomosis procedure utilizes a self-retaining suture to secure one vessel to another vessel. A single self-retaining suture is deployed in a continuous pattern around the interface between the vessels. The self-retaining suture has tissue-grasping surface features which allow passage of the suture in one direction through tissue, but not in the opposite direction. The self-retaining suture may be deployed using a needle attached to the end of the suture. The continuous anastomosis technique may be performed without using knots.

Abstract: Endoscopic systems utilize self-retaining sutures to approximate tissue in a cavity of a subject. An endoscopic instrument is provided containing the self-retaining suture. The endoscopic instrument may be provided in combination with an endoscope and/or an endoscopic manipulator. The endoscopic instrument is passed through a cavity wall into a cavity of a patient. The self-retaining suture is deployed, using the endoscopic instrument, into a first tissue portion and a second tissue portion within the cavity. The self-retaining suture may be deployed endoscopically in patterns which include, purse string stitch, alpha stitch, linear stitching, curvilinear stitching, continuous helical stitch, and continuous sinusoidal stitch.

Abstract: A self-retaining suture includes a plurality of tissue retainers which allow deployment in a deployment direction, but prevent movement in the opposite direction. The self-retaining suture has a needle at the proximal end and a tissue anchor at the distal end. The tissue anchor includes a curved portion of the suture formed into a loop which anchors the suture in the tissue. Additionally, the suture can be passed through a tissue and then passed through the loop to secure the distal end of the suture to the tissue.

Abstract: An anastomosis procedure utilizes a self-retaining suture to secure one vessel to another vessel. One or more self-retaining sutures are deployed around the interface between the vessels. The self-retaining sutures have tissue-grasping surface features which allow passage of the sutures in one direction through tissue, but not in the opposite direction. The self-retaining sutures may be deployed using a needle attached to the end of the sutures. The anastomosis technique may be performed without using knots.

Abstract: A suture system has a suture with a first plurality of barbs located adjacent to a first end and a second plurality of barbs located adjacent to a second end, and a body located between the first plurality of barbs and the second plurality of barbs. The body provides an anchor that can hold tissue relative to the first end and the second end of the suture. The body can slide and be positioned on said suture.

Abstract: Endoscopic methods utilize self-retaining sutures to approximate tissue in a cavity of a subject. An endoscopic instrument is provided containing the self-retaining suture. The endoscopic instrument may be provided in combination with an endoscope and/or an endoscopic manipulator. The endoscopic instrument is passed through a cavity wall into a cavity of a patient. The self-retaining suture is deployed, using the endoscopic instrument, into a first tissue portion and a second tissue portion within the cavity. The self-retaining suture may be deployed endoscopically in patterns which include, purse string stitch, alpha stitch, linear stitching, curvilinear stitching, continuous helical stitch, and continuous sinusoidal stitch.

Abstract: A suture system has a double ended barbed suture with a first plurality of barbs located adjacent to a first end and a second plurality of barbs located adjacent to a second end, and a body located between the first plurality of barbs and the second plurality of barbs. The body provides an anchor that can hold tissue relative to the first end and the second end of the suture. The body can slide and be positioned on said suture.

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: Continuous wound-closure techniques use one-way suture. The one-way suture has tissue-grasping surface features which allow passage of the suture in one direction through tissue, but not in the opposite direction. In closing a wound, the one-way suture is passed alternately through tissue on opposed sides of the wound. The wound-closure techniques allow approximation of the sides of the wound without knots, avoid loop stitching and reduce scarring.