Barbed bodily tissue connector

• US 7,226,468 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2003
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson), Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Quill Medical, Inc. (Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ruff, Gregory L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US10/420,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20040093028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,506 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/153, 606/155, 606/213, 606/216, 606/217, 411/456, 411/457, 411/904
• US Class Current: 606/216
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0493 Protective devices for suturing, i.e. for protecting the patient's organs or the operator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/083 Clips, e.g. resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/10 for applying or removing wound clamps, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068; Wound clamp magazines containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00, B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks

Abstract

A barbed tissue connector is disclosed for use in closing a body wound. The connector includes an elongated body and a pointed end to facilitate insertion of the connector into tissue. A plurality of closely-spaced barbs are disposed on the body from the pointed end of the connector to a predetermined location on the body. The barbs are yieldable toward the body to make it easier to insert the connector in tissue, and the barbs are generally rigid in an opposite direction to hold the connector in the tissue. The body of the connector is substantially rigid and is sufficiently resilient to return to a predetermined position after deflection therefrom. The connector can be manually inserted into the tissue of a patient, or the connector can be inserted by means of an inserting device which is retracted after the connector is in place.

Claims

1. A method for bringing together one side and an other side of an open wound in tissue with a barbed tissue connector, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a pointed end, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, said method comprising:

(i) inserting the barbed tissue connector via the pointed end into tissue from one side of the wound,

(ii) penetrating through tissue on the one side of the wound, and

(iii) penetrating into tissue at the other side of the wound such that a portion of the body adapted to penetrate the tissue extends from the tissue at the one side of the wound.

2. The method of claim 1, said method comprising:

(i) inserting another barbed tissue connector, where the other barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a pointed end, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs of the other barbed tissue connector being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the other barbed tissue connector from the tissue, via the pointed end of the other barbed tissue connector from the other side of the wound,

(ii) penetrating through tissue at the other side of the wound, and

(iii) penetrating into tissue at the one side of the wound.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the barbed tissue connector is accomplished with an inserting device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the inserting device comprises a tubular body.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the barbed tissue connector has the barbs oriented at progressively staggered positions around the periphery of the body.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pointed end is free of barbs.

9. A surgical method for bringing together two tissue portions on either side of a tissue separation in tissue with a barbed tissue connector, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a first pointed end, a second pointed end, a length, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, the barbed tissue connector having the barbs oriented in one direction for a first portion of the length of the body and in an opposite direction for a second portion of the length of the body, said method comprising:

(a) at the tissue separation, inserting the barbed tissue connector via the first pointed end into tissue at a position on one side of the tissue separation;

(b) repeating step (a) at the other side of the tissue separation, using the second pointed end of the barbed tissue connector, at a position located across the tissue separation from the position in which the first pointed end of the barbed tissue connector was inserted; and

(c) bringing the two tissue portions together.

10. The surgical method of claim 9, wherein bringing the two tissue portions together in step (c) is accomplished by pressing the two tissue portions together.

11. The surgical method of claim 9, wherein bringing the two tissue portions together in step (c) is accomplished by pushing the barbed tissue connector through the tissue.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein inserting the barbed tissue connector is accomplished with an inserting device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the inserting device comprises a tubular body.

14. The surgical method of claim 9, wherein the two tissue portions comprise two sides of an open wound in skin.

15. The surgical method of claim 9, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

16. The surgical method of claim 15, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

17. The surgical method of claim 9, wherein the two tissue portions comprise portions of a tendon.

18. The surgical method of claim 9, wherein:

(a) the two tissue portions comprise two sides of an open wound at the skin of a patient, and

(b) the first pointed end and the second pointed end are free of barbs.

19. A surgical method for bringing together two tissue portions on either side of a tissue separation in tissue with a barbed tissue connector, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a pointed end, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue and permitting movement of the barbed tissue connector through the tissue in the direction the barbed tissue connector is inserted, said method comprising:

(a) at the tissue separation, inserting the barbed tissue connector, via the pointed end, into tissue at one side of the tissue separation,

(b) penetrating through tissue on the one side of the separation, and

(c) penetrating into tissue on the other side of the separation wound such that a portion of the body adapted to penetrate the tissue extends from the tissue at the one side of the tissue separation.

20. The method of claim 19, said method comprising:

(d) inserting another barbed tissue connector, where the other barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a pointed end, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs of the other barbed tissue connector being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the other barbed tissue connector from the tissue and permitting movement of the other barbed tissue connector through the tissue in the direction the other barbed tissue connector is inserted, via the pointed end of the other barbed tissue connector from the other side of the tissue separation,

(e) penetrating through tissue on the other side of the of the separation, and

(f) penetrating into tissue on the one side of the separation.

21. The surgical method of claim 19, wherein the two tissue portions comprise sections of a tendon.

22. The surgical method of claim 19, wherein the two tissue portions comprise two sides of an open wound in skin.

23. The surgical method of claim 19, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

24. The surgical method of claim 23, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

25. A method for inserting a barbed tissue connector into tissue, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a pointed end, an opposite end, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, said method comprising inserting the pointed end into tissue by applying force to the opposite end such that a portion of the body extends from the tissue.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the opposite end comprises a head end.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein after an adequate amount of time has passed for healing, depressing the tissue beneath the head end and cutting the head end from the elongated body, permitting the tissue to rise up over the cut end of the elongated body.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein inserting the barbed tissue connector is accomplished with an inserting device.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the inserting device comprises a tubular body.

30. The surgical method of claim 25, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

31. The surgical method of claim 30, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

32. A method for bringing together one side and an other side of an open wound in tissue with a barbed tissue connector, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a pointed end, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, said method comprising:

(i) inserting the barbed tissue connector via the pointed end into tissue from one side of the wound,

(ii) penetrating through tissue on the one side of the wound,

(iii) penetrating into tissue at the other side of the wound such that a portion of the body adapted to penetrate the tissue extends from the tissue at the one side of the wound,

(iv) inserting another barbed tissue connector, where the other barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a pointed end, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs of the other barbed tissue connector being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the other barbed tissue connector from the tissue, via the pointed end of the other barbed tissue connector from the other side of the wound,

(v) penetrating through tissue at the other side of the wound, and

(vi) penetrating into tissue at the one side of the wound such that a portion of the body of the another barbed tissue connector adapted to penetrate the tissue extends from the tissue at the other side of the wound.

33. A surgical method for bringing together two tissue portions on either side of a tissue separation in tissue with a barbed tissue connector, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a first pointed end, a second pointed end, a length, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, the barbed tissue connector having the barbs oriented in one direction for a first portion of the length of the body and in an opposite direction for a second portion of the length of the body, and the first pointed end and the second pointed end being free of barbs, said method comprising:

(a) at the tissue separation, inserting the barbed tissue connector via the first pointed end into tissue at a position on one side of the tissue separation, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material;

(b) repeating step (a) at the other side of the tissue separation, using the second pointed end of the barbed tissue connector, at a position located across the tissue separation from the position in which the first pointed end of the barbed tissue connector was inserted wound; and

(c) bringing the two tissue portions together by pressing the two tissue portions together or by pushing the barbed tissue connector through the tissue.

34. A device for insertion into tissue comprising:

a barbed tissue connector having an elongated body, a pointed end, a periphery, a length, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs projecting from the body and being disposed around the periphery of the body along the length of the body, the barbs being configured such that they are yieldable in a direction toward the body and are generally rigid in an opposite direction, and

an inserting device having a closed tubular body, a leading end, and a trailing end, the tubular body being sufficiently long to contain at least a portion of the barbed tissue connector.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the leading end of the inserting device is tapered inwardly.

36. The device of claim 34, wherein the tubular body of the inserting device has a circular cross section.

37. The device of claim 34, wherein an inside diameter of the tubular body of the inserting device is slightly less than an outside diameter of the connector.

38. The device of claim 34, wherein the tubular body of the inserting device is generally arcuate in an axial direction.

39. The device of claim 34, wherein the inserting device has a handle on the tubular body adjacent the trailing end.

40. The device of claim 34, wherein at least one barb of the connector protrudes from the leading end of the tubular body of the inserting device.

41. The device of claim 34, wherein the body of the connector is formed of a material sufficiently hard for the point to pierce tissue and to enable the connector to be inserted in tissue when a substantially axial force is applied to the body of the connector.

42. The device of claim 34, wherein the connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

43. The device of claim 42, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

44. The device of claim 34, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented at progressively staggered positions around the periphery of the body.

45. The device of claim 34, wherein the barbs have a unidirectional configuration on the connector.

46. The device of claim 34, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented in one direction for a first portion of the length of the body of the connector and in an opposite direction for a second portion of the length of the body of the connector.

47. The device of claim 34, wherein the barbs are arranged in a helical pattern on the connector.

48. The device of claim 34, wherein the pointed end of the connector is free of barbs.

49. The device of claim 34, wherein the connector has an end opposite the pointed end comprising a head end.

50. A device for insertion into tissue comprising:

a barbed tissue connector having an elongated body, a pointed end, a periphery, a length, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs projecting from the body and being disposed around the periphery of the body along the length of the body, the barbs being configured such that they are yieldable in a direction toward the body and are generally rigid in an opposite direction, and

an inserting device having a closed tubular body, a leading end, and a trailing end, the tubular body being sufficiently long to contain at least a portion of the barbed tissue connector, wherein the trailing end of the inserting device is tapered outwardly.

51. A device for insertion into tissue comprising:

an inserting device having a closed tubular body, a leading end, and a trailing end, and

a barbed tissue connector having an elongated body, a pointed end, a periphery, a length, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs projecting from the body and being disposed around the periphery of the body along the length of the body, the barbs being configured such that they are yieldable in a direction toward the body and are generally rigid in an opposite direction, and the connector being positioned in the tubular body of the inserting device with the pointed end of the connector protruding from the leading end of the inserting device.

52. The device of claim 51, wherein the leading end of the inserting device is tapered inwardly.

53. The device of claim 51, wherein the tubular body of the inserting device has a circular cross section.

54. The device of claim 51, wherein an inside diameter of the tubular body of the inserting device is slightly less than an outside diameter of the connector.

55. The device of claim 51, wherein the tubular body of the inserting device is generally arcuate in an axial direction.

56. The device of claim 51, wherein the inserting device has a handle on the tubular body adjacent the trailing end.

57. The device of claim 51, wherein at least one barb of the connector protrudes from the leading end of the tubular body of the inserting device.

58. The device of claim 51, wherein the body of the connector is formed of a material sufficiently hard for the point to pierce tissue and enable the connector to be inserted in tissue when a substantially axial force is applied to the body of the connector.

59. The device of claim 51, wherein the connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

60. The device of claim 59, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

61. The device of claim 51, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented at progressively staggered positions around the periphery of the body.

62. The device of claim 51, wherein the barbs have a unidirectional configuration on the connector.

63. The device of claim 51, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented in one direction for a first portion of the length of the body of the connector and in an opposite direction for a second portion of the length of the body of the connector.

64. The device of claim 51, wherein the barbs are arranged in a helical pattern on the connector.

65. The device of claim 51, wherein the pointed end of the connector is free of barbs.

66. The device of claim 51, wherein the connector has an end opposite the pointed end comprising a head end.

67. A device for insertion into tissue comprising:

an inserting device having a closed tubular body, a leading end, and a trailing end, and

a barbed tissue connector having an elongated body, a pointed end, a periphery, a length, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs projecting from the body and being disposed around the periphery of the body along the length of the body, the barbs being configured such that they are yieldable in a direction toward the body and are generally rigid in an opposite direction, and the connector being positioned in the tubular body of the inserting device with the pointed end of the connector protruding from the leading end of the inserting device, wherein the trailing end of the inserting device is tapered outwardly.

68. A method for bringing together one side and an other side of an open wound in tissue with a barbed tissue connector, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, said method comprising:

(i) inserting the barbed tissue connector into tissue from one side of the wound,

(ii) penetrating through tissue on the one side of the wound, and

(iii) penetrating into tissue at the other side of the wound such that a portion of the body adapted to penetrate the tissue extends from the tissue at the one side of the wound.

69. The method of claim 68, said method comprising:

(iv) inserting another barbed tissue connector from the other side of the wound, where the other barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs of the other barbed tissue connector being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the other barbed tissue connector from the tissue,

(v) penetrating through tissue at the other side of the wound, and

(vi) penetrating into tissue at the one side of the wound.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein inserting the barbed tissue connector is accomplished with an inserting device.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the inserting device comprises a tubular body.

72. The method of claim 68, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

74. The method of claim 68, wherein the barbed tissue connector has the barbs oriented at progressively staggered positions around the periphery of the body.

75. The method of claim 68, wherein the barbed tissue connector has an end that is free of barbs.

76. A surgical method for bringing together two tissue portions on either side of a tissue separation in tissue with a barbed tissue connector, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a first end, a second end, a length, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, the barbed tissue connector having the barbs oriented in one direction for a first portion of the length of the body and in an opposite direction for a second portion of the length of the body, said method comprising:

(a) at the tissue separation, inserting the barbed tissue connector via the first end into tissue at a position on one side of the tissue separation;

(b) repeating step (a) at the other side of the tissue separation, via the second end of the barbed tissue connector, at a position located across the tissue separation from the position in which the first end of the barbed tissue connector was inserted; and

(c) bringing the two tissue portions together.

77. The surgical method of claim 76, wherein bringing the two tissue portions together in step (c) is accomplished by pressing the two tissue portions together.

78. The surgical method of claim 76, wherein bringing the two tissue portions together in step (c) is accomplished by pushing the barbed tissue connector through the tissue.

79. The surgical method of claim 76, wherein inserting the barbed tissue connector is accomplished with an inserting device.

80. The surgical method of claim 79, wherein the inserting device comprises a tubular body.

81. The surgical method of claim 76, wherein the two tissue portions comprise two sides of an open wound in skin.

82. The surgical method of claim 76, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

83. The surgical method of claim 82, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

84. The surgical method of claim 76, wherein the two tissue portions comprise portions of a tendon.

85. The surgical method of claim 76, wherein:

(a) the two tissue portions comprise two sides of an open wound at the skin of a patient, and

(b) the first end and the second end are free of barbs.

86. A surgical method for bringing together two tissue portions on either side of a tissue separation in tissue with a barbed tissue connector, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue and permitting movement of the barbed tissue connector through the tissue in the direction the barbed tissue connector is inserted, said method comprising:

(a) at the tissue separation, inserting the barbed tissue connector into tissue at one side of the tissue separation,

(b) penetrating through tissue on the one side of the separation, and

(c) penetrating into tissue on the other side of the separation such that a portion of the body adapted to penetrate the tissue extends from the tissue at the one side of the tissue separation.

87. The surgical method of claim 86, said method comprising:

(d) inserting another barbed tissue connector from the other side of the tissue separation, where the other barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs of the other barbed tissue connector being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the other barbed tissue connector from the tissue and permitting movement of the other barbed tissue connector through the tissue in the direction the other barbed tissue connector is inserted,

(e) penetrating through tissue on the other side of the of the separation, and

(f) penetrating into tissue on the one side of the separation.

88. The surgical method of claim 86, wherein the two tissue portions comprise sections of a tendon.

89. The surgical method of claim 86, wherein the two tissue portions comprise two sides of an open wound in skin.

90. The surgical method of claim 86, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

91. The surgical method of claim 90, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

92. A surgical method for inserting a barbed tissue connector into tissue, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, an end adapted to penetrate the tissue, an opposite end, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, said method comprising inserting the penetrating end into tissue by applying force to the opposite end such that a portion of the body extends from the tissue.

93. The surgical method of claim 92, wherein the opposite end comprises a head end.

94. The surgical method of claim 93, wherein after an adequate amount of time has passed for healing, depressing the tissue beneath the head end and cutting the head end from the elongated body, permitting the tissue to rise up over the cut end of the elongated body.

95. The surgical method of claim 92, wherein inserting the barbed tissue connector is accomplished with an inserting device.

96. The surgical method of claim 95, wherein the inserting device comprises a tubular body.

97. The surgical method of claim 92, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

98. The surgical method of claim 97, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

99. A surgical method for bringing together one side and an other side of an open wound in tissue with a barbed tissue connector, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, said method comprising:

(i) inserting the barbed tissue connector into tissue from one side of the wound,

(ii) penetrating through tissue on the one side of the wound,

(iii) penetrating into tissue at the other side of the wound such that a portion of the body adapted to penetrate the tissue extends from the tissue at the one side of the wound,

(iv) inserting another barbed tissue connector from the other side of the wound, where the other barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs of the other barbed tissue connector being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the other barbed tissue connector from the tissue,

(v) penetrating through tissue at the other side of the wound, and

(vi) penetrating into tissue at the one side of the wound such that a portion of the body of the another barbed tissue connector adapted to penetrate the tissue extends from the tissue at the other side of the wound.

100. A surgical method for bringing together two tissue portions on either side of a tissue separation in tissue with a barbed tissue connector, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a first end, a second end, a length, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, the barbed tissue connector having the barbs oriented in one direction for a first portion of the length of the body and in an opposite direction for a second portion of the length of the body, and the first pointed end and the second pointed end being free of barbs, said method comprising:

(a) at the tissue separation, inserting the barbed tissue connector via the first end into tissue at a position on one side of the tissue separation, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material;

(b) repeating step (a) at the other side of the tissue separation, via the second end of the barbed tissue connector, at a position located across the tissue separation from the position in which the first end of the barbed tissue connector was inserted; and

(c) bringing the two tissue portions together by pressing the two tissue portions together or by pushing the barbed tissue connector through the tissue.

101. A device for insertion into tissue comprising:

a barbed tissue connector having an elongated body, a periphery, a length, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs projecting from the body and being disposed around the periphery of the body along the length of the body, the barbs being configured such that they are yieldable in a direction toward the body and are generally rigid in an opposite direction, and

an inserting device having a closed tubular body, a leading end, and a trailing end, the tubular body being sufficiently long to contain at least a portion of the barbed tissue connector.

102. The device of claim 101, wherein the leading end of the inserting device is tapered inwardly.

103. The device of claim 101, wherein the tubular body of the inserting device has a circular cross section.

104. The device of claim 101, wherein an inside diameter of the tubular body of the inserting device is slightly less than an outside diameter of the connector.

105. The device of claim 101, wherein the tubular body of the inserting device is generally arcuate in an axial direction.

106. The device of claim 101, wherein the inserting device has a handle on the tubular body adjacent the trailing end.

107. The device of claim 101, wherein at least one barb of the connector protrudes from the leading end of the tubular body of the inserting device.

108. The device of claim 101, wherein the body of the connector has a pointed end formed of a material sufficiently hard for the pointed end to pierce tissue and to enable the connector to be inserted in tissue when a substantially axial force is applied to the body of the connector.

109. The device of claim 101, wherein the connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

110. The device of claim 109, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

111. The device of claim 101, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented at progressively staggered positions around the periphery of the body.

112. The device of claim 101, wherein the barbs have a unidirectional configuration on the connector.

113. The device of claim 101, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented in one direction for a first portion of the length of the body of the connector and in an opposite direction for a second portion of the length of the body of the connector.

114. The device of claim 101, wherein the barbs are arranged in a helical pattern on the connector.

115. The device of claim 101, wherein the connector has an end free of barbs.

116. The device of claim 101, wherein the connector has an end and an opposite end that comprises a head end.

117. A device for insertion into tissue comprising:

a barbed tissue connector having an elongated body, a periphery, a length, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs projecting from the body and being disposed around the periphery of the body along the length of the body, the barbs being configured such that they are yieldable in a direction toward the body and are generally rigid in an opposite direction, and

an inserting device having a closed tubular body, a leading end, and a trailing end, the tubular body being sufficiently long to contain at least a portion of the barbed tissue connector, wherein the trailing end of the inserting device is tapered outwardly.

118. A device for insertion into tissue comprising:

an inserting device having a tubular body, a leading end, and a trailing end, and a barbed tissue connector having an elongated body, a periphery, a length, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs projecting from the body and being disposed around the periphery of the body along the length of the body, the barbs being configured such that they are yieldable in a direction toward the body and are generally rigid in an opposite direction, and the connector being positioned in the tubular body of the inserting device with one end of the connector protruding from the leading end of the inserting device.

119. The device of claim 118, wherein the leading end of the inserting device is tapered inwardly.

120. The device of claim 118, wherein the tubular body of the inserting device has a circular cross section.

121. The device of claim 118, wherein an inside diameter of the tubular body of the inserting device is slightly less than an outside diameter of the connector.

122. The device of claim 118, wherein the tubular body of the inserting device is generally arcuate in an axial direction.

123. The device of claim 118, wherein the inserting device has a handle on the tubular body adjacent the trailing end.

124. The device of claim 118, wherein at least one barb of the connector protrudes from the leading end of the tubular body of the inserting device.

125. The device of claim 118, wherein the body of the connector is formed of a material sufficiently hard for the point to pierce tissue and enable the connector to be inserted in tissue when a substantially axial force is applied to the body of the connector.

126. The device of claim 118, wherein the connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

127. The device of claim 126, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

128. The device of claim 118, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented at progressively staggered positions around the periphery of the body.

129. The device of claim 118, wherein the barbs have a unidirectional configuration on the connector.

130. The device of claim 118, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented in one direction for a first portion of the length of the body of the connector and in an opposite direction for a second portion of the length of the body of the connector.

131. The device of claim 118, wherein the barbs are arranged in a helical pattern on the connector.

132. The device of claim 118, wherein one end of the connector is free of barbs.

133. The device of claim 118, wherein the connector has an end and an opposite end comprising a head end.

134. A device for insertion into tissue comprising:

an inserting device having a tubular body, a leading end, and a trailing end, wherein the trailing end of the inserting device is tapered outwardly, and

a barbed tissue connector having an elongated body, a periphery, a length, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs projecting from the body and being disposed around the periphery of the body along the length of the body, the barbs being configured such that they are yieldable in a direction toward the body and are generally rigid in an opposite direction, and the connector being positioned in the tubular body of the inserting device with one end of the connector protruding from the leading end of the inserting device.

135. A method for inserting a barbed tissue connector in tissue, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, said method comprising:

(i) positioning the barbed tissue connector in an inserting device including a closed tubular body,

(ii) inserting the inserting device into tissue, and

(iii) extracting the inserting device from the tissue while leaving the connector in the tissue.

136. The method of claim 135, said method comprising:

(iv) repeating steps (i), (ii), and (iii) with another barbed tissue connector, where the other barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs of the other barbed tissue connector being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the other barbed tissue connector from the tissue.

137. The method of claim 135, wherein the barbed tissue connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

138. The method of claim 137, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

139. The method of claim 135, wherein the barbed tissue connector has the barbs oriented at progressively staggered positions around the periphery of the body.

140. The method of claim 135, wherein the barbed tissue connector has an end that is free of barbs.

141. The method of claim 135, wherein the body of the connector has a pointed end formed of a material sufficiently hard for the pointed end to pierce tissue and to enable the connector to be inserted in tissue when a substantially axial force is applied to the body of the connector.

142. The method of claim 135, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented at progressively staggered positions around the periphery of the body.

143. The method of claim 135, wherein the barbs have a unidirectional configuration on the connector.

144. The method of claim 135, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented in one direction for a first portion of the length of the body of the connector and in an opposite direction for a second portion of the length of the body of the connector.

145. The method of claim 135, wherein the barbs are arranged in a helical pattern on the connector.

146. The method of claim 135, wherein the connector has an end free of barbs.

147. The method of claim 135, wherein the connector has an end and an opposite end that comprises a head end.

148. The method of claim 135, wherein the tubular body of the inserting device has a circular cross section.

149. The method of claim 135, wherein an inside diameter of the tubular body of the inserting device is slightly less than an outside diameter of the connector.

150. The method of claim 135, wherein the tubular body of the inserting device is generally arcuate in an axial direction.

151. The method of claim 135, wherein the inserting device has a leading end and at least one barb of the connector protrudes from the leading end.

152. The method of claim 135, wherein the inserting device has a leading end that is tapered inwardly.

153. The method of claim 135, wherein the inserting device has a trailing end and a handle adjacent the trailing end.

154. A method for inserting a barbed tissue connector in tissue, where the barbed tissue connector has an elongated body, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs which extend around the periphery of the body, the barbs being sized and shaped to resist retraction of the barbed tissue connector from the tissue, said method comprising:

(i) positioning the barbed tissue connector in an inserting device including a closed tubular body, wherein the inserting device has a trailing end that is tapered outwardly,

(ii) inserting the inserting device into tissue, and

(iii) extracting the inserting device from the tissue while leaving the connector in the tissue.

155. A barbed bodily tissue connector for insertion into tissue comprising:

an elongated body having a first end, a second end, a periphery, and a plurality of closely spaced barbs projecting from the periphery of the body, wherein a first portion of the barbs extend alone a substantial portion of the body and are oriented in one direction and a second portion of the barbs extend along a substantial portion of the body and are oriented in an opposite direction, the barbs being configured such that they are yieldable in a direction toward the body and are generally rigid in an opposite direction.

156. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein one of the first end and the second end comprises an end adapted to penetrate the tissue for facilitating entry of the connector into the tissue.

157. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 156, wherein the adapted end comprises a pointed end formed of a material sufficiently hard for the pointed end to pierce tissue and to enable the connector to be inserted in tissue when a substantially axial force is applied to the body of the connector.

158. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 157, wherein the body of the connector is formed of a material sufficiently hard for the pointed end to pierce tissue and to enable the connector to be inserted in tissue when a substantially axial force is applied to the body of the connector.

159. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 157, wherein the pointed end of the connector is free of barbs.

160. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein the connector comprises a bioabsorbable material.

161. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 160, wherein the bioabsorbable material comprises polyglycolic acid polymer, polyglycolic acid copolymer, polylactic acid polymer, or polylactic acid copolymer.

162. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein the connector has the barbs oriented at progressively staggered positions around the periphery of the body.

163. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein the barbs are arranged in a helical pattern on the connector.

164. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein certain adjacent barbs face toward each other.

165. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein one of the first and second ends comprises a head end.

166. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein successive revolutions of the barbs are offset in a circumferential direction by 1/x barb whereby the barbs on the body are in axial alignment every x revolutions.

167. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein the body has sufficient dimensional stability to assume a substantially rigid configuration during use thereof.

168. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein the body is sufficiently resilient to return to a predetermined shape after deflection therefrom.

169. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein the body is flexible and substantially nonresilient whereby the shape of an inserted connector will be determined by the surrounding tissue.

170. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein

the barbs along a length of the body extending from adjacent the first end to a first axial location on the body face the first end;

the barbs along a length of the body extending from adjacent the second end to a second axial location face the second end;

and the length from adjacent the second end to the second axial location is less than the distance from the second end to the first axial location.

171. The barbed bodily tissue connector of claim 155, wherein

the barbs along a length of the body extending from adjacent the first end to a first axial location on the body face the second end;

the barbs along a length of the body extending from adjacent the second end to a second axial location face the first end;

and the length from adjacent the second end to the second axial location is less than the distance from the second end to the first axial location.