High strength suture with colored trace at one end
First Claim
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 combined to produce the suture strand, sections of at least one of the plurality of fibers being provided in a color contrasting from the other fibers to provide an identifiable trace along a longitudinal portion of the suture strand which is less than an entire length of the suture stand, at least one other longitudinal portion of the suture strand being provided with no identifiable trace.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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. The identifiable trace preferably is provided along one half of the length of the suture, so that when the suture is loaded onto a suture anchor, for example, the two legs of the length of suture on either side of the suture anchor can be readily identified.
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Citations
20 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 combined to produce the suture strand, sections of at least one of the plurality of fibers being provided in a color contrasting from the other fibers to provide an identifiable trace along a longitudinal portion of the suture strand which is less than an entire length of the suture stand, at least one other longitudinal portion of the suture strand being provided with no identifiable trace.
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13. A suture assembly comprising:
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a suture having a longitudinal length and 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 on substantially only one half of the longitudinal length of the suture, and a core formed of twisted fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and a suture anchor attached to the suture.
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14. A suture assembly comprising:
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a suture having a longitudinal length and 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 along only one half of the longitudinal length of suture, 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.
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- 15. A suture strand suitable for use as a suture or ligature having a longitudinal length and at least an outer cover comprising a plurality of braided fibers, at least one of the fibers being colored to provide an identifiable trace along substantially only one half of the longitudinal length of the suture strand.
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17. A method of making suture comprising the steps of:
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forming a bulk length of multifilament suture material having alternating sections, every other section being distinguished by an identifiable trace; and cutting the bulk length into sections, each section having only one end containing the identifiable trace. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification