Self-retaining wound closure device including an anchoring loop

Abstract

A self-retaining suture includes a plurality of tissue retainers which allow deployment in a deployment direction, but prevent movement in the opposite direction. The self-retaining suture has a needle at the proximal end and a tissue anchor at the distal end. The tissue anchor includes a curved portion of the suture formed into a loop which anchors the suture in the tissue. Additionally, the suture can be passed through a tissue and then passed through the loop to secure the distal end of the suture to the tissue.

1 . A wound closure device comprising:
 a needle;   a polymer suture filament having a first end from which the needle extends, and a second end;   a plurality of cuts made into a first portion of the polymer suture filament adjacent the first end;   the plurality of cuts defining a plurality of tissue engaging elements distributed along the first portion of the polymer suture filament;   said tissue engaging elements being adapted to permit movement of the first portion of the polymer suture filament through tissue towards the first end, and prevent movement of the first portion of the polymer suture filament through tissue towards the second end;   a second portion of the polymer suture filament adjacent the second end being formed into a loop; and   the loop having diameter such that the tissue engaging elements can pass through the loop without engaging the loop.   
     
     
         2 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein said needle is a metal needle attached to the first end of the polymer suture filament. 
     
     
         3 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein said second end of the polymer suture filament is attached to the second portion of the polymer suture filament at a position spaced from the second end to form said loop. 
     
     
         4 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the second end is joined to the second portion of the polymer suture filament to form the loop. 
     
     
         5 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the polymer suture filament lies within the loop. 
     
     
         6 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second portion of the polymer suture filament lies within tissue; and   the first portion of the polymer suture filament lies within the loop;   thereby anchoring the second portion of the polymer suture filament to said tissue.   
     
     
         7 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein said loop is devoid of tissue engaging elements. 
     
     
         8 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion of the polymer suture filament is devoid of tissue engaging elements. 
     
     
         9 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein said tissue-retainers are distributed at about 120 degree intervals around said polymer suture filament. 
     
     
         10 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein said tissue-retainers are evenly distributed at intervals around said polymer suture filament. 
     
     
         11 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer suture filament is made of a bio-absorbable polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer suture filament is formed of a copolymer comprising trimethylene carbonate. 
     
     
         13 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer suture filament is formed of a copolymer comprising glycolide. 
     
     
         14 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer suture filament is formed of a copolymer of gylcolide and trimethylene carbonate. 
     
     
         15 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer suture filament is formed of a copolymer comprising one or more of caprolactone, polydioxanone, and polylactide. 
     
     
         16 . The wound closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue engaging elements are barbs. 
     
     
         17 . A wound closure device comprising:
 a flexible strand having a first portion and a second portion;   a needle extending from the first portion;   a plurality of tissue engaging elements extending from the first portion of the flexible strand, said tissue engaging elements being directed away from the needle and extended away from said flexible strand;   wherein said plurality of tissue engaging elements permit movement of the flexible strand through tissue towards the needle and prevents movement of the flexible strand through tissue in an opposite direction;   wherein said second portion of the flexible strand ends in a loop; and   wherein said second portion of the flexible strand is positioned within the loop.   
     
     
         18 . The wound closure device of  claim 17 , wherein the second portion of said flexible strand is connected to itself to form said loop. 
     
     
         19 . A suture comprising:
 a first pointed end;   an elongated body having a second end;   the first pointed end extending from said elongated body;   said elongated body including a strand of bio-absorbable polymer;   a plurality of tissue engaging elements formed in said elongated body and extending from the periphery of the elongated body;   said tissue engaging elements configured to permit movement of the elongated body through tissue in a direction of movement of said first pointed end by yielding toward the elongated body and, and said tissue engaging elements configured to prevent movement in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the first pointed end by engaging tissue;   wherein said second end of the elongated body forms an anchor adapted to secure the second end to tissue; and   wherein said anchor has a curved portion of the elongated body formed into a loop.   
     
     
         20 . The wound closure device of  claim 19 , wherein the tissue engaging elements are barbs.