Braided barbed suture

• US 8,715,320 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2012
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Lindh, David C. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAUER, CHRISTINA C
• Application Number:
  US13/621,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20130066369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 606/228, 606/230, 602 41- 43, 602/51
• US Class Current: 606/228
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0472 Multiple-needled, e.g. double-needled, instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06057 Double-armed sutures, i.e. sutures having a needle attached to each end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2409 Support rings therefor, e.g. for connecting valves to tissue annuloplasty rings A61F2/2442

Abstract

A suture assembly and a method for making the same is provided. The suture assembly includes a plurality of unbarbed filamentary elements intertwined with one another and at least one barbed filamentary element having a longitudinal axis and having plurality of barbs extending outwardly therefrom in a first direction less than 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis. According to exemplary embodiments, the at least one barbed filamentary may be intertwined along its length with the plurality of unbarbed filamentary elements, and the plurality of barbs extending outwardly beyond the unbarbed filamentary elements, or the primary outer periphery of the at least one barbed filamentary element may be contained within the intertwined unbarbed filamentary elements with the plurality of barbs extending through and outwardly from the plurality of unbarbed filamentary elements.

Claims

1. A barbed monofilament comprising a substantially circular cross-section and a plurality of barbs formed therein by a cut that extends inwardly into the monofilament to a predetermined depth, wherein a distal portion of each barb is defined by a cut extending for a first length at a substantially constant first angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the monofilament, and a proximal portion of each barb is defined by a cut extending for a second length at a second angle of approximately zero degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the monofilament, wherein the barbed monofilament is comprised of a polymeric material.

2. The barbed monofilament according to claim 1, wherein the first angle is approximately 30 degrees.

3. The barbed monofilament according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined depth is approximately 0.08 inches.

4. The barbed monofilament according to claim 3, wherein the second length is approximately 0.024 inches.

5. The barbed monofilament according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of barbs are formed along a portion of a length of the monofilament.

6. The barbed monofilament according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of barbs are formed along substantially an entire length of said monofilament.

7. The barbed monofilament according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of barbs are staggered around a circumference of the monofilament.

8. The barbed monofilament according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of barbs includes a first set and a second set of barbs, and wherein the barbs of said first set are substantially aligned along a length of said suture, and wherein the barbs of said second set are substantially aligned along a length of said suture.

9. The barbed monofilament according to claim 8, wherein said first and second sets of barbs are aligned substantially opposite one another around a circumference of said monofilament.

10. The barbed monofilament according to claim 1, wherein said monofilament is comprised of a non-absorbable material.

11. The barbed monofilament according to claim 1, wherein the monofilament is comprised of an absorbable material.