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 suture assembly and a method for making the same is provided. The suture assembly includes a plurality of unbarbed filamentary elements intertwined with one another and at least one barbed filamentary element having a longitudinal axis and having plurality of barbs extending outwardly therefrom in a first direction less than 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis. According to exemplary embodiments, the at least one barbed filamentary may be intertwined along its length with the plurality of unbarbed filamentary elements, and the plurality of barbs extending outwardly beyond the unbarbed filamentary elements, or the primary outer periphery of the at least one barbed filamentary element may be contained within the intertwined unbarbed filamentary elements with the plurality of barbs extending through and outwardly from the plurality of unbarbed filamentary elements.

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 a shaft having a leading end, a trailing end, and an outer surface extending between the leading and trailing ends. The surgical suture includes a plurality of flexible protrusions extending from the shaft, and a lumen extending between the leading and trailing ends of the shaft. The shaft includes a plurality of openings formed in the outer surface thereof that are in communication with the lumen. The shaft includes a first axial opening at the leading end thereof in communication with the lumen and a second axial opening at the trailing end thereof in communication with the lumen. A flowable material may be disposed in the lumen. After the surgical suture is implanted, the flowable material is adapted to pass from the lumen and through the plurality of openings in the outer surface of the shaft for contacting tissue surrounding the suture.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for forming tissue holding devices having predetermined shapes suitable for use in surgical applications, and devices formed in accordance with such methods are also provided. These methods include press forming methods, and press forming methods in combination with profile punching. Tissue holding devices formed in accordance with such methods include various configurations for a core and a plurality of tissue holding elements extending outwardly from the core.

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 barbed suture includes a flexible thread having a leading end and a trailing end, and a plurality of barbs projecting from the flexible thread. The flexible thread has a plurality of web-like openings formed therein, whereby each of the openings is disposed adjacent one of the barbs. The openings enhance the flexibility of the barbs and provide space for the barbs to collapse inwardly as the leading end of the flexible thread is pulled through a medium such as tissue. When the barbs are collapsed, the diameter of the barbed sections is preferably no greater than the diameter of the non-barbed sections. In one embodiment, a support element interconnects at least one of the barbs and the flexible thread for reinforcing the at least one barb and resisting flexure of the at least one barb toward the leading end of the flexible thread.

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.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for forming tissue holding devices having predetermined shapes suitable for use in surgical applications, and devices formed in accordance with such methods are also provided. These methods include press forming methods, and press forming methods in combination with profile punching. Tissue holding devices formed in accordance with such methods include various configurations for a core and a plurality of tissue holding elements extending outwardly from the core.

Abstract: A surgical suture includes a shaft having a leading end, a trailing end, and an outer surface extending between the leading and trailing ends. The surgical suture includes a plurality of flexible protrusions extending from the shaft, and a lumen extending between the leading and trailing ends of the shaft. The shaft includes a plurality of openings formed in the outer surface thereof that are in communication with the lumen. The shaft includes a first axial opening at the leading end thereof in communication with the lumen and a second axial opening at the trailing end thereof in communication with the lumen. A flowable material may be disposed in the lumen. After the surgical suture is implanted, the flowable material is adapted to pass from the lumen and through the plurality of openings in the outer surface of the shaft for contacting tissue surrounding the suture.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for forming tissue holding devices having predetermined shapes suitable for use in surgical applications, and devices formed in accordance with such methods are also provided. These methods include press forming methods, and press forming methods in combination with profile punching. Tissue holding devices formed in accordance with such methods include various configurations for a core and a plurality of tissue holding elements extending outwardly from the core.

Abstract: A barbed suture includes a flexible thread having a leading end and a trailing end, and a plurality of barbs projecting from the flexible thread. The flexible thread has a plurality of web-like openings formed therein, whereby each of the openings is disposed adjacent one of the barbs. The openings enhance the flexibility of the barbs and provide space for the barbs to collapse inwardly as the leading end of the flexible thread is pulled through a medium such as tissue. When the barbs are collapsed, the diameter of the barbed sections is preferably no greater than the diameter of the non-barbed sections. In one embodiment, a support element interconnects at least one of the barbs and the flexible thread for reinforcing the at least one barb and resisting flexure of the at least one barb toward the leading end of the flexible thread.

Abstract: A device for tensioning barbed sutures used for securing tissue or prosthetic devices includes a handle, and a shaft having a proximal end connected with the handle and a distal end remote therefrom. The distal end of the shaft includes a pressure applying surface for pressing against the tissue and the prosthetic devices. The tensioning device includes a pair of grooves extending through the shaft from the pressure applying surface at the distal end of the shaft toward the proximal end of the shaft. A barbed suture is tensioned by aligning a first section of the suture in the first groove and a second section of the suture in the second groove. After the first and second suture sections are aligned in the grooves, the proximal ends of the sections may be pulled for applying tension to the suture.

Abstract: A medical device having a contact surface exposed repeatedly to bodily tissue is disclosed. The contact surface is coated with a silicone polymer and one or more non-silicone hydrophobic polymers. The preferred medical device is a surgical needle, and the preferred coating is a polydimethylsiloxane and polypropylene wax hydrocarbon mixture. The incorporation of the non-silicone hydrophobic polymer increases the durability of the coating on the device without sacrificing lubricity.

Abstract: Surgical sutures having a core extending along a length thereof between a first end and a second end, and a plurality of sets of first and second projections, wherein the first projections extend in a direction of a first end of the suture and the second projections extend in a direction of a second end of the suture. The first projections may be sized and shaped, and positioned relative to the second projections so as to be capable of substantially shielding the second projections when the surgical suture is drawn through tissue by the second end thereof. The first projections may additionally or alternatively be capable of overlapping and substantially covering a distal end of the respective second projections when the suture is drawn through tissue by the second end.

Abstract: A medical device having a contact surface exposed repeatedly to bodily tissue is disclosed. The contact surface is coated with a silicone polymer and one or more non-silicone hydrophobic polymers. The preferred medical device is a surgical needle, and the preferred coating is a polydimethylsiloxane and polypropylene wax hydrocarbon mixture. The incorporation of the non-silicone hydrophobic polymer increases the durability of the coating on the device without sacrificing lubricity.

Abstract: A medical device having a contact surface exposed repeatedly to bodily tissue is disclosed. The contact surface is coated with a silicone polymer and one or more non-silicone hydrophobic polymers. The preferred medical device is a surgical needle, and the preferred coating is a polydimethylsiloxane and polypropylene wax hydrocarbon mixture. The incorporation of the non-silicone hydrophobic polymer increases the durability of the coating on the device without sacrificing lubricity.