| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20110022086 | COMBINING SYNTHETIC, NATURAL POLYMERS AND RECOMBINANT POLYMERS TO FORM MONOFILAMENT AND MULTIFILAMENT SELF-RETAINING SUTURES - The present invention combines synthetic, natural and recombinant polymers for making a self-retaining suture. In an embodiment of the present invention recombinant polyhydroxyalkanoate (rPHA) polymers and/or polyglycolic acid polymers are incorporated into the suture. In various embodiments of the invention, materials are incorporated into the suture to illicit a tissue response reaction. The tissue response reaction results in deposition of collagen around the tissue retainer in the tissue thereby increasing the retention of the tissue retainer in the tissue. In various embodiments of the invention, the core of the suture is made from a material that does not illicit a tissue response reaction. In various embodiments of the invention, the core can be chose to enhance elasticity and strength of the suture. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110046668 | SELF-RETAINING SUTURES WITH HEAT-CONTACT MEDIATED RETAINERS - Provided herein are sutures to be used in a procedure applied to tissue, and methods for forming such sutures. A suture can include an elongated suture body and a plurality of heat-contact mediated retainers extending from and along the elongated suture body. The heat-contact mediated retainers can be formed by temporarily contacting the elongated suture body with one or more heated element. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110046669 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING RETAINERS ON SELF-RETAINING SUTURES - A method and device to elevate retainers on a suture thread to a desired angle such that the retainers can retain the desired elevation. The retainers can be elevated using an apparatus having at least one roller and at least one bending bar, wherein the bending bar contacts the retainers adjacent to the at least one roller to apply a force to the retainers. The retainers can also be elevated using a tube-shaped apparatus which allows the retainers on a suture thread to be bent by the inner surface of the tube-shaped apparatus. In various embodiments of the invention, a suture can be made up of an inner core and a coating that upon a stimuli increases the protrusion of the retainers away from the suture core thereby ensuring that the suture is held securely in place, preventing wound separation and dehiscence. In an embodiment of the invention, the application of the coating to the outer face of the retainer and attractive forces between the coating at different points results in the distension of the retainers away from the suture core. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the coating inserts into the cut associated with the retainer and repulsive or expansive forces result in a pushing out of the cut and thereby the distending of the retainers away from the suture core. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110166597 | SELF-RETAINING SUTURES INCLUDING TISSUE RETAINERS HAVING IMPROVED STRENGTH - 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. | 07-07-2011 |
