Abstract: A fluid transfer assembly comprises a housing for accommodating a fluid. A bellows member disposed in the housing defines an opening therethrough adapted to be in fluid communication with an applicator assembly. The bellows member is adapted to operatively engage the applicator assembly for extension in a first direction and contraction in a second direction. The bellows member seals against the inner surface of the housing during extension and contraction for defining a variable volume chamber with the housing. Expansion of the bellows member in the first direction reduces the chamber volume for generating positive pressure in the housing and forcing fluid through a valve to the applicator assembly. Contraction of the bellows member in the second direction increases the chamber volume for generating negative pressure within the housing for drawing fluid into the chamber.

Abstract: A fluid transfer assembly comprises a housing for accommodating a fluid. A bellows member disposed in the housing defines an opening therethrough adapted to be in fluid communication with an applicator assembly. The bellows member is adapted to operatively engage the applicator assembly for extension in a first direction and contraction in a second direction. The bellows member seals against the inner surface of the housing during extension and contraction for defining a variable volume chamber with the housing. Expansion of the bellows member in the first direction reduces the chamber volume for generating positive pressure in the housing and forcing fluid through a valve to the applicator assembly. Contraction of the bellows member in the second direction increases the chamber volume for generating negative pressure within the housing for drawing fluid into the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a fluid comprises a housing and a resilient liner adapted to hold the fluid disposed in the housing. A fluid transfer mechanism is in fluid communication between the liner and an applicator assembly mounted on the housing for dispensing the fluid on the skin of the user. The applicator assembly includes an actuator movable relative to the housing so as to activate the fluid transfer mechanism when the actuator is reciprocated. A fluid delivery element is held in contact against skin of a user for applying the fluid onto the skin. The fluid delivery element is supported on the actuator to be movable together with the actuator by varying contact pressure with the skin. Each movement of the actuator generates continuous negative pressure within the liner for drawing fluid through the fluid transfer mechanism and collapsing the liner.

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 fluid transfer assembly comprises a housing for accommodating a fluid. A bellows member disposed in the housing defines an opening therethrough adapted to be in fluid communication with an applicator assembly. The bellows member is adapted to operatively engage the applicator assembly for extension in a first direction and contraction in a second direction. The bellows member seals against the inner surface of the housing during extension and contraction for defining a variable volume chamber with the housing. Expansion of the bellows member in the first direction reduces the chamber volume for generating positive pressure in the housing and forcing fluid through a valve to the applicator assembly. Contraction of the bellows member in the second direction increases the chamber volume for generating negative pressure within the housing for drawing fluid into the chamber.

Abstract: A method and device for anchoring a length of self-retaining suture. The method of anchoring includes providing for an assembly having a length of self-retaining suture and a suture insertion device. The length of suture includes at least a portion of the length having a plurality of retainers thereon extending in a first direction. The insertion device has a length and a recess to receive a portion of the suture length. The method further includes placing a portion of the suture length in the recess and inserting the device into the body of a mammal until the recess reaches a predetermined location thereby forming an insertion pathway. The method further includes retrieving the insertion device from the body by moving the insertion device in a direction substantially opposed to the insertion pathway.

Abstract: A method and device for anchoring a length of self-retaining suture. The method of anchoring includes providing for an assembly having a length of self-retaining suture and a suture insertion device. The length of suture includes at least a portion of the length having a plurality of retainers thereon extending in a first direction. The insertion device has a length and a recess to receive a portion of the suture length. The method further includes placing a portion of the suture length in the recess and inserting the device into the body of a mammal until the recess reaches a predetermined location thereby forming an insertion pathway. The method further includes retrieving the insertion device from the body by moving the insertion device in a direction substantially opposed to the insertion pathway.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 method for joining and holding closed a wound in bodily tissue, fastening junctions of wounds, tying off wounds, joining a foreign element to tissue, and altering the position of tissue using a barbed suture including sharp pointed ends. Each end of the suture includes barbs on that permit movement in an opposing direction to the barbs on the other end of the suture. This two-way barbed suture is used by the method of the present invention in applications including abdominal surgeries such as a Nissen fundoplication, laparoscopic uses such as stabilizing a bowel structure and performing a closure of a cystostomy, liver to bowel anastomosis, closure of an orifice of a Zenker's Diverticulum, endoscopic uses such as closure of ulcerative lesions or and post-procedural tissue defects, bladder wound closure, valve replacement surgery, device attachment, cosmetic surgery, and blood vessel wound closure.

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: An apparatus for dispensing a fluid comprises a housing and a resilient liner adapted to hold the fluid disposed in the housing. A fluid transfer mechanism is in fluid communication between the liner and an applicator assembly mounted on the housing for dispensing the fluid on the skin of the user. The applicator assembly includes an actuator movable relative to the housing so as to activate the fluid transfer mechanism when the actuator is reciprocated. A fluid delivery element is held in contact against skin of a user for applying the fluid onto the skin. The fluid delivery element is supported on the actuator to be movable together with the actuator by varying contact pressure with the skin. Each movement of the actuator generates continuous negative pressure within the liner for drawing fluid through the fluid transfer mechanism and collapsing the liner.

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.

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: 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 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 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.