Locking suture

Abstract

This invention provides a suture system and method that does not require knots. A locking suture includes a needle and a thread that is provided with a plurality of locking barbs. The needle is applied over an end of the thread by conventional systems. The exterior surface of the thread is covered with barbs. The barbs can be arranged in rows of at least one barb each, circumscribing the thread of the suture and are oriented so that they are uniformly feathered, being closed in the direction of the needle and open toward the terminal (posterior) end. The feathering provides for the barbs to lie flat when drawn through a membrane or other material, and the bias causes them to splay open when a tension towards the terminal/posterior end is exerted. This splaying creates a locking force.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for a locking suture for creating a ligation comprising:
 a suture needle;   a hollow woven thread affixed to the suture needle; and   an outer surface of thereof having a plurality of one or more barbs constructed and arranged to engage an interior surface of the wall and resist pull out when passed through the thread, and the inner surface of the hollow woven thread constructed and arranged to be engaged by the barbs to resist pull out of the barbs through the thread.   
     
     
         2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the barbs are arranged in at least one successive circumferential row of at least one barb that extend along the hollow woven thread from a first end of the hollow woven thread to a second end of the hollow woven thread. 
     
     
         3 . The system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the successive circumferential rows of barbs are disposed in a regular manner at intervals. 
     
     
         4 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the barbs are constructed and arranged so as to be biased to open outwards from the thread. 
     
     
         5 . The system as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the barbs are oriented so that each is uniformly feathered, being closed in the direction of the first end of the hollow woven thread and open toward the second end of the hollow woven thread. 
     
     
         6 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the needle can be driven through the hollow woven thread. 
     
     
         7 . The system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the hollow woven thread can be drawn through the hollow woven thread. 
     
     
         8 . The system as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the barbs splay to create a locking structure when a tension force is applied against the bias. 
     
     
         9 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the barbs are cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the second end defines a loop. 
     
     
         11 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the suture needle has a proximal end and a distal end, and the hollow woven thread has a proximal end and a distal end, and the proximal end of the suture needle is affixed to the distal end of the hollow woven thread. 
     
     
         12 . The system for a locking suture for creating a ligation of  claim 1 , the hollow woven thread comprising woven warp and weave. 
     
     
         13 . The system for a locking suture for creating a ligation of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow woven thread collapses under pressure. 
     
     
         14 . The system for a locking suture for creating a ligation of  claim 1 , wherein the suture needle can pass through voids in a wall of the hollow woven thread, whereby a first portion of the hollow woven thread can pass through a hollow center of a second portion of the hollow woven thread. 
     
     
         15 . The system for a locking suture for creating a ligation of  claim 14 , wherein the second portion of the hollow woven thread collapses when the first portion of the hollow woven thread is pulled against a direction of entry. 
     
     
         16 . A system for a locking suture for creating a ligation comprising:
 a suture needle;   a beaded thread having the suture needle affixed to one end; and   a frustoconical collar at the terminal end constructed and arranged to receive and secure a bead of the beaded threads.   
     
     
         17 . A locking surgical device comprising:
 a hollow woven thread defining a hollow woven tube with an inner surface and an outer surface, the hollow woven thread having a proximal end and a distal end;   a suture needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the suture needle affixed to the distal end of the hollow woven thread; and   a plurality of barbs on the outer surface of the hollow woven thread, the barbs constructed and arranged to resist pull out by engaging an interior surface of the wall.   
     
     
         18 . The locking surgical device of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of barbs are attached to the outer surface of the hollow woven thread by one of fusion weld, adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or lamination. 
     
     
         19 . The locking surgical device of  claim 17 , the hollow woven thread comprising woven warp and weave. 
     
     
         20 . The locking surgical device of  claim 19 , the hollow woven thread comprising two or more layers of woven warp and weave