High strength suture with collagen fibers

• US 20050033362A1
• Filed: 08/06/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Inventors: Grafton, R. Donald
• Application Number:
  US10/912,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20050033362A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/228
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0619 thermoplastic, e.g. for bonding, welding, fusing or cutting the suture by melting it suture cutters A61B17/0467; ultrasonic cutters A61B17/320068; electrically heated instruments A61B18/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 17/04 Non-resorbable materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 17/08 of animal origin, e.g. catgut, collagen
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 17/145 Coating

Abstract

A high strength abrasion resistant surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics and enhanced tissue remodeling and biocompatibility includes protein polymer fibers blended with synthetic fibers. The suture features a multifilament cover formed of strands of ultra high molecular weight long chain polyethylene braided with polyester, nylon or other nonabsorbable materials, along with fibers of a protein polymer, such as collagen. The cover surrounds a core formed of twisted strands of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The core also can include collagen fibers. 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. The collagen fiber enhances tissue remodeling into the suture strand, thus improving biocompatibility.

Claims

1. A suture strand suitable for use as a suture or ligature comprising a plurality of braided fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, a plurality of fibers of at least one long chain synthetic polymer or bioabsorbable fiber, and a plurality of fibers of a collagen, the fibers being woven to produce the suture strand.

2. A suture strand as recited in claim 1, wherein sections of at least one of the plurality of fibers is provided in a color contrasting from the other fibers to provide an identifiable trace along a portion of the suture strand.

3. A suture strand as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one portion of the suture strand is provided with no identifiable trace.

4. A suture strand as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one long chain synthetic polymer is polyester, nylon, or both.

5. A suture strand as recited in claim 1, wherein the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene comprises at least 40% of the braided fibers.

6. A suture strand as recited in claim 1, wherein the polyester comprises less than about 40% of the braided filaments.

7. A suture strand as recited in claim 1, wherein the collagen comprises about 20% of the braided filaments.

8. A suture strand as recited in 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, synthetic fiber, and collagen.

9. A suture strand as recited in claim 8, wherein the core comprises about 18% or greater of the total amount of filament in the strand.

10. A suture strand as recited in claim 8, wherein the core further includes fibers of collagen.

11. A suture strand as recited in claim 8, wherein the cover comprises less than about 82% of the total amount of filament in the strand.

12. A suture strand as recited in claim 8, further comprising a coating disposed on the cover.

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

14. A suture strand as recited in claim 1, wherein a half length of the strand is provided with an identifiable trace, and the other half length of the strand contains no identifiable trace.

15. A suture assembly comprising:

a suture comprising fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and

a suture anchor attached to the suture.

16. A suture assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the suture further comprises fibers of polyester, nylon, bioabsorbable material or a combination thereof, which are braided with the fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

17. A suture assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the suture further comprises fibers of collagen which are braided with the fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

18. A suture assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein the suture further comprises fibers of collagen which are braided with the fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and the fibers of polyester, nylon, bioabsorbable material or a combination thereof.

19. A suture assembly as in claim 16, wherein the fibers of polyester, nylon or bioabsorbable material are provided in a color contrasting with the remaining fibers on substantially one half length of the suture, and a core formed of twisted fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

20. A suture assembly comprising:

a suture comprising fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and

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

21. A suture assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the suture further comprises fibers of polyester, nylon, bioabsorbable material or a combination thereof, which are braided with the fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

22. A suture assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the suture further comprises fibers of collagen which are braided with the fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

23. A suture assembly as recited in claim 21, wherein the suture further comprises fibers of collagen which are braided with the fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and the fibers of polyester, nylon, bioabsorbable material or a combination thereof.

24. A suture assembly as in claim 21, wherein the fibers of polyester, nylon or bioabsorbable material are provided in a color contrasting with the remaining fibers on substantially one half length of the suture, and wherein the suture further comprises a core formed of twisted fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

25. A suture strand suitable for use as a suture or ligature having at least an outer cover comprising a plurality of braided fibers including synthetic fibers and collagen fibers.

26. The suture strand of claim 25, further comprising a coating selected from the group consisting of wax, silicone, silicone rubbers, PTFE, PBA, and ethyl cellulose.

27. A method of making suture comprising the steps of:

forming a braided end of long-chain polyethylene;

forming a braided end of a fiber selected from the group consisting of polyester and nylon;

forming a braided end of a collagen fiber; and

braiding the braided ends together to form a braided cover.

28. A method of making suture according to claim 27, wherein the braided cover is formed over a filamentous core.

29. A method of making suture according to claim 28, wherein the filamentous core includes fibers of collagen.