Suture sleeve and a method for manufacturing a suture sleeve

A suture sleeve comprising:

• a tubular body comprised of resilient material, said tubular body having a longitudinal axis and having a bore extending through said tubular body along said longitudinal axis, said bore being configured to receive a medical implantable lead therein;
• said tubular body having a body exterior surface having at least one suture groove therein, said exterior body surface being configured for insertion in a body lumen of a living subject and said suture groove being configured to allow a suture to be tied around said suture groove, with said lumen between said suture and said suture groove, to hold said suture sleeve, and said medical lead in said bore thereof, in place relative to said body lumen;
• said tubular body comprising at least one grip enhancing projection projecting into said bore radially inwardly of said suture groove to promote gripping of said medical implantable lead in said bore;
• and
• a stiffening protuberance in said tubular body between said suture groove and said grip enhancing projection, said stiffening protuberance giving said suture sleeve a non-circular cross-section in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal axis.

A method for manufacturing a suture sleeve comprising:

• forming a tubular body of resilient material with a bore extending therein along a longitudinal axis of said tubular body;
• forming at least one circumferential suture groove at an exterior of said tubular body;
• forming at least one grip enhancing projection in said bore of said tubular body that projects into said bore in a plane containing said suture groove;
• and
• molding embedment items into said suture sleeve material to form stiffening protuberances in said tubular body between said grip enhancing projection and said suture groove, giving said suture groove a non-circular cross-section in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal axis.