Barbed sutures

Abstract

A barbed suture for connecting tissue, and a combination surgical needle with a barbed suture. The suture includes an elongated body and a plurality of barbs projecting from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. The disposition of the barbs on the body may be staggered, twist cut multiple spiral, overlapping, or random. Also, the configuration of the barbs may be a certain spirality angle α, barb cut angle θ, barb cut depth, barb cut length, barb cut distance, corrugated barb underside, arcuate barb base, or varying barb size.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A barbed suture comprising a triangular primary cross-section defined by a periphery including first, second and third points of said triangle, and a plurality of barbs formed therein, wherein successive barbs are staggered around the periphery of the suture, and extend inwardly into the suture to a predetermined depth from the first, second and third points respectively. 
     
     
         26 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein the primary cross-section is substantially an equilateral triangle. 
     
     
         27 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein the barbs are successively staggered at about 120 degree intervals. 
     
     
         28 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein successive barbs are formed at a predetermined distance from one another along a length of the suture. 
     
     
         29 . The barbed suture according to  claim 28 , wherein the predetermined distance is from about 0.73 mm to about 1.07 mm. 
     
     
         30 . The barbed suture according to  claim 29 , wherein the predetermined distance is about 0.79 mm. 
     
     
         31 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein the barbed suture comprises a non-absorbable material. 
     
     
         32 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein the barbed suture comprises polyamide. 
     
     
         33 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein the barbed suture comprises a bio-absorbable material. 
     
     
         34 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein the barbed suture comprises a bio-absorbable material selected from the group consisting of polydioxanone and caprolactone co-glycolide. 
     
     
         35 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein the predetermined depth is from about 0.13 mm to about 0.17 mm. 
     
     
         36 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein the predetermined depth is from about 0.100 mm to about 0.114 mm. 
     
     
         37 . The barbed suture according to  claim 36 , wherein the predetermined depth is about 0.100 mm. 
     
     
         38 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein the barbs' length is from about 0.44 mm to about 0.54 mm. 
     
     
         39 . The barbed suture according to  claim 25 , wherein the barbs' length is from about 0.80 mm to about 0.89 mm. 
     
     
         40 . The barbed suture according to  claim 39 , wherein the barbs' length is about 0.89 mm. 
     
     
         41 . The barbed suture according to  claim 39 , wherein the barbs are defined by a cut extending at an angle of about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the suture. 
     
     
         42 . The barbed suture according to  claim 39 , wherein the barbs are defined by a cut extending at an angle of about 15 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the suture. 
     
     
         43 . A method for forming a barbed suture, the method comprising:
 providing a suture having a triangular primary cross-section defined by a periphery including first, second and third points of the triangle; and   forming a plurality of sets of barbs in said suture, wherein each set includes first, second and third barbs extending inwardly to a predetermined depth from the first, second and third points respectively.   
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein the first, second and third barbs are also separated by substantially equal predetermined distances along a length of said suture. 
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein forming a plurality of sets of barbs further comprises, for the barbs, cutting the suture for a distance using a cutting element positioned at an angle of about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the suture. 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein forming a plurality of sets of barbs further comprises, for the barbs, cutting the suture for a distance using a cutting element positioned at an angle of about 15 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the suture. 
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein the predetermined depth is from about 0.13 mm to about 0.17 mm. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein the predetermined depth is from about 0.100 mm to about 0.114 mm. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the predetermined depth is about 0.100 mm. 
     
     
         50 . A barbed suture comprising a triangular primary cross-section defined by a periphery including first, second and third points of said triangle, and a plurality of barbs formed therein including at least first, second and third barbs substantially centered around the first, second and third points respectively. 
     
     
         51 . The barbed suture according to  claim 50 , wherein the first, second and third barbs are formed at successive predetermined intervals along a length of the suture.