Self-retaining sutures including tissue retainers having improved strength

• US 9,498,893 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2014
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Herrmann, Robert A., Goraltchouk, Alexei, Drubetsky, Lev
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, Todd J
• Application Number:
  US14/307,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20150096424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 606228-231, 29/71, 29/72, 29/73, 83879-887
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 17/005 containing a biologically active substance, e.g. a medicament or a biocide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/43 Hormones, e.g. dexamethasone
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 1/0006 Cutting members therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 1/25 with a non-circular cutting member
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 2001/002 Materials or surface treatments therefor, e.g. composite materials
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 2001/0053 having a special cutting edge section or blade section
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 2001/006 the cutting blade having a special shape, e.g. a special outline, serrations
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 3/08 Making a superficial cut in the surface of the work without removal of material, e.g. scoring, incising
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 3/08 with heated members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0333 Scoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0341 Processes

Abstract

An embodiment of a suture for use in a surgical procedure applied to tissue comprises an elongated body having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of retainers arranged along a portion of the elongated body. The retainers substantially yield to motion of the elongated body within the tissue when the elongated body is drawn at the first end and resist motion of the elongated within the tissue when the elongated body is drawn at the second end. The retainers include an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface extending from a periphery of the elongated body and the lower surface having at least two facets.

Claims

1. A method of forming one or more retainers in a suture having an elongated body with a first end and a second end for use in a surgical procedure applied to tissue comprising:

positioning the elongated body;

oscillating a heated cutting edge so that the heated cutting edge alternately penetrates the elongated body and exits the elongated body, wherein the heated cutting edge includes a first blade and a second blade arranged to form an angle;

wherein the heated cutting edge forms the one or more retainers so that the one or more retainers substantially yield to motion of the elongated body within the tissue when the elongated body is drawn at the first end and resist motion of the elongated body within the tissue when the elongated body is drawn at the second end, and wherein said one or more retainers are annealed with the heated cutting edge.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cutting edge is heated to approximately 200°

C.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first blade and the second blade comprise sapphire.