Length of self-retaining suture and method and device for using the same

A suture insertion device comprising:

• (a) a suture including:
• (i) a first section having a plurality of outwardly projecting retainers,
• (ii) a second section having a plurality of outwardly projecting retainers, and
• (iii) an intervening section separating the first and second sections such that the retainers terminate at the intervening section;
• (b) a substantially rigid, elongate body having a first device end, a second device end and a device length, said first device end comprising a point at a terminal end defined by an underside and a topside;
• (c) a recess proximate to the first device end to receive a cross section of the intervening section of the suture without the first and second section of the suture extending therein, said recess having a frontward end and a rearward end, and said frontward end and said rearward end comprise crescent shaped walls that are generally parallel to each other;
• and
• (d) a forwardly extending finger located at the rearward end of the recess for maintaining the intervening section of the suture within the recess during insertion;
• and
• wherein said underside extends longitudinally along a length of the suture insertion device opposed to the recess and terminates at said point of said first device end, said underside being generally parallel to an axis of the elongate body, and wherein said topside extends from said frontward end and terminates at said point of said first device end, said topside being non-parallel to the axis of said elongate body.