Abstract: A drug-eluting self-retaining suture comprises a filament, a plurality of retainers, and a drug impregnated in or coated on the filament. The shape and distribution of retainers modifies the in vivo release kinetics of the drug. The drug release kinetics may be modified uniformly or region by region. The self-retaining suture may for example be used for reattaching severed nerves and release nerve growth factor or other regeneration accelerating agents into the region of the nerve injury.

Abstract: A self-retaining suture has a suture thread less than 1 millimeter nominal diameter. A plurality of retainers is cut into the suture thread using a high accuracy retainer cutting machine. The retainer cutting machine has sufficient accuracy and repeatability to cut consistent and effective retainers at high density on suture threads less than 1 mm nominal diameter.

Abstract: Self-retaining suture systems including a suture thread bearing a plurality of laser-cut retainers are disclosed. A laser system allows the creation of retainers and self-retaining suture systems in configurations which are difficult and/or impossible to achieve using mechanical cutting technology.

Abstract: A laser-machining system and method is disclosed for forming retainers on a suture thread. The laser system is preferably a femtosecond laser system which is capable of creating submicron features on the suture thread while preserving strength of the suture thread. The laser-machining system enables creation of retainers and self-retaining suture systems in configurations which are difficult and/or impossible to achieve using mechanical cutting technology.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a manufacturing process produces and an. Article produced has a self-retaining suture wherein a force is used to squeeze the suture causing retainers to form out of material from the suture body. In an embodiment of the invention, fins are formed between the retainers and the suture body, wherein said fins support the retainers. In another embodiment, retainer stops are provided in order to prevent the retainer from settling back in the body of the suture.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a manufacturing process produces and an. Article produced has a self-retaining suture wherein a force is used to squeeze the suture causing retainers to form out of material from the suture body. In an embodiment of the invention, fins are formed between the retainers and the suture body, wherein said fins support the retainers. In another embodiment, retainer stops are provided in order to prevent the retainer from settling back in the body of the suture.

Abstract: A suture having a first end for penetrating tissue, an elongated suture body having a periphery; a plurality of retainers on the periphery, and a second end having a variable loop of variable circumference, wherein the variable loop includes a fixed loop slidably engaging the elongated body for slidingly varying the circumference of the variable loop, and wherein the first end may pass through the variable loop to secure tissue as an anchor, the anchor preventing movement of the suture in the direction of deployment of the first end.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a manufacturing process produces and an. Article produced has a self-retaining suture wherein a force is used to squeeze the suture causing retainers to form out of material from the suture body. In an embodiment of the invention, fins are formed between the retainers and the suture body, wherein said fins support the retainers. In another embodiment, retainer stops are provided in order to prevent the retainer from settling back in the body of the suture.

Abstract: A self-retaining suture comprises a composite filament. The filament has retainers on the surface such that the filament can engage and retain tissue without knots. The filament comprises at least two materials having different properties. A surface material of the filament has properties which enhance the formation, elevation and/or deployment of the retainers. A core material of the filament has properties which enhance the tensile strength of the filament. The surgical filament is thin and flexible and may be used for suturing. Methods for manufacturing the filament and retainers are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are sutures for use in a procedure applied to tissue, and methods for forming such sutures. Some sutures include bi-directional retainers, each of which can be deployed in two directions, but once deployed in one direction, resist motion in the opposite direction. Other sutures include uni-directional retainers that are conical in shape, and include tissue engaging protrusions that extend from edges and/or angled walls of the conical retainers.

Abstract: Stents and other medical devices that can have specific geometric configurations (curves, contours, tapers) and/or patterns (e.g., grooves) thereon, methods of making such medical devices, and apparatuses for making such medical devices are disclosed. Projection photolithography is used to define patterns the medical devices. The methods can form grooves, ridges, channels, holes, wells, and other geometric patterns (e.g. parallelograms such as squares, rectangles and other trapezoids; triangles, pentagons, spirals, hexagons, etc.) on the surface of both the inner and outer diameters (e.g., on both the inner and outer surfaces) of stents or other cylindrical, tubular or curved-surface medical devices, allowing the manufacture of stents having customized geometry/contours on all surfaces, which can minimize endothelial surface disruption of blood flow.

Abstract: An embodiment of a suture for use in a surgical procedure applied to tissue comprises an elongated body having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of retainers arranged along a portion of the elongated body. The retainers substantially yield to motion of the elongated body within the tissue when the elongated body is drawn at the first end and resist motion of the elongated within the tissue when the elongated body is drawn at the second end. The retainers include an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface extending from a periphery of the elongated body and the lower surface having at least two facets.

Abstract: Provided herein are sutures to be used in a procedure applied to tissue, and methods for forming such sutures. A suture can include an elongated suture body and a plurality of heat-contact mediated retainers extending from and along the elongated suture body. The heat-contact mediated retainers can be formed by temporarily contacting the elongated suture body with one or more heated element.

Abstract: A method and device to elevate retainers on a suture thread to a desired angle such that the retainers can retain the desired elevation. The retainers can be elevated using an apparatus having at least one roller and at least one bending bar, wherein the bending bar contacts the retainers adjacent to the at least one roller to apply a force to the retainers. The retainers can also be elevated using a tube-shaped apparatus which allows the retainers on a suture thread to be bent by the inner surface of the tube-shaped apparatus. In various embodiments of the invention, a suture can be made up of an inner core and a coating that upon a stimuli increases the protrusion of the retainers away from the suture core thereby ensuring that the suture is held securely in place, preventing wound separation and dehiscence.

Abstract: Automated apparatuses and related methods for scanning, spraying, pruning, and harvesting crops from plant canopies. The apparatuses include a support structure comprising a frame, a central vertical shaft, and at least one module support member capable of rotating around a plant canopy. The support member supports a plurality of movable arms, each arm having at least one detector for probing the plant canopy. Embodiments further comprise applicators and/or manipulators for spraying, pruning, and harvesting crops from within the plant canopy. The methods of the present invention include causing the moveable arms attached to the support structure to be extended into the plant canopy, searching for crops, and transmitting and/or storing the search data. Embodiments further comprise detaching crops from the plant canopy and transporting them to a receptacle, applying a controlled amount of material within the plant canopy, or pruning inside of the plant canopy.

Abstract: A biopsy device handle for use with a biopsy device needle set, comprising a housing, a throw depth selection assembly, a cocking assembly, a carriage assembly, a needle set driver assembly, and an actuating assembly. A safety feature may be incorporated into the device to reduce or eliminate the chance of unintentional firing of the biopsy device.

Abstract: A needle set for use in a biopsy device, where the needle set includes a plurality of annularly nested cannulae. Each of the cannulae have a distal end, a proximal end, a lumen, and a cannula body. At least two of the cannulae are joined at their proximal ends. The distal ends of the two joined cannulae are mountable in a biopsy device. At least one of the two joined cannulae further have at least two flexible linkages joining the cannula body to its proximal end. Upon rotating the cannula body around its longitudinal axis while fixing the proximal end, the linkages present therebetween will contact one another, effectively cutting the luminal space between the cannula body and the proximal end of the cannula, thereby also cutting any material, for example biopsy material, present in the lumen.