High strength suture with coating and colored trace

• US 20030050667A1
• Filed: 06/04/2002
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Inventors: Grafton, R. Donald, Schmieding, Reinhold
• Granted Patent: US 7,029,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/228
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening lateral eyelet for attaching suture to needle A61B2017/06019
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0416 Packages or dispensers for suture anchors or for anchor applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06028 by means of a cylindrical longitudinal blind bore machined at the suture-receiving end of the needle, e.g. opposite to needle tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 coded with colour
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 17/04 Non-resorbable materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 17/12 Homopolymers or copolymers of glycolic acid or lactic acid
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2203/12 used for fibers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2207/068 Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/06 Polyethene
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/00 Compositions of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of polyester-amides C08L77/12; of polyester-imides C08L79/08; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 1/06 Braid or lace serving particular purposes
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 1/025 comprising high modulus, or high tenacity, polymer filaments or fibres, e.g. liquid-crystal polymers
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2201/1096 braided
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2205/2014 High performance polyolefins, e.g. Dyneema or Spectra
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2801/10 Smallest filamentary entity of a rope or strand, i.e. wire, filament, fiber or yarn

Abstract

A high strength abrasion resistant surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics is color coded for visualization and identification purposes. The suture features a multifilament cover formed of strands of ultra high molecular weight long chain polyethylene braided with polyester, nylon or a bioabsorbable material. Selected nylon fibers in the cover are provided in a color contrasting with the other cover fibers to provide an identifiable trace. The cover surrounds a core formed of twisted strands of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The suture, provided in a #2 size, has the strength of #5 Ethibond, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle.

Claims

1. A suture strand suitable for use as a suture or ligature comprising a plurality of braided fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, and a plurality of fibers of at least one long chain synthetic polymer or bioabsorbable fiber, the fibers being woven to produce the suture strand, at least one of the plurality of fibers being provided in a color contrasting from the other fibers to provide an identifiable trace.

2. The suture strand of claim 1, wherein the at least one long chain synthetic polymer is polyester, nylon, or both.

3. The suture strand of claim 1, wherein the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene comprises at least 40% of the braided fibers.

4. The suture strand of claim 1, wherein the polyester comprises less than about 40% of the braided filaments.

5. The suture strand of claim 1, further comprising a core of twisted fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene surrounded by a cover comprising the plurality of braided fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and polyester.

6. The suture strand of claim 5, wherein the core comprises about 18% or greater of the total amount of filament.

7. The suture strand of claim 5, wherein the cover comprises less than about 82% of the total amount of filament.

8. The suture strand of claim 5, further comprising a coating disposed on the cover.

9. The suture strand of claim 8, wherein the coating is selected from the group consisting of wax, silicone, silicone rubbers, PTFE, PBA, and ethyl cellulose.

10. A suture assembly comprising:

a suture having a multifilament cover formed of a plurality of braided fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and fibers of polyester, nylon, bioabsorbable material or a combination thereof, at least one of the fibers of polyester, nylon or bioabsorbable material being provided in a color contrasting with the remaining fibers, and a core formed of twisted fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and

a suture anchor attached to the suture.

11. A suture assembly comprising:

a suture having a multifilament cover formed of a plurality of braided fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and fibers of polyester, nylon, bioabsorbable material or a combination thereof, at least one of the fibers of polyester, nylon or bioabsorbable material being provided in a color contrasting with the remaining fibers, and a core formed of twisted fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and

a half round, tapered needle attached to one or both ends of the suture.

12. A suture strand suitable for use as a suture or ligature comprising a plurality of braided fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, and a plurality of fibers of at least one long chain synthetic polymer, the suture strand including a core of twisted fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene surrounded by a cover comprising the plurality of braided fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and polyester, the cover being coated.

13. The suture strand of claim 12, wherein the coating is selected from the group consisting of wax, silicone, silicone rubbers, PTFE, PBA, and ethyl cellulose.