Suture for wound closure, tissue approximation, tissue support, suspension and/or fixation
AssigneeSilhouette Lift Societad Limitada
InventorAlwin Kolster
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A suture assembly includes an elongated flexible body which may be either a single filament for a multiple strand braided or woven body, supporting a plurality of shaped tissue-engaging elements in a generally spaced arrangement thereon. A curved body having a sharp point is joined to one end of the flexible body while a straight pointed body is joined to the remaining end of the flexible body. In alternate embodiments, the tissue-engaging elements define a variety of cross-section shapes. In a further alternate embodiment, the tissue-engaging elements are divided into first and second oppositely facing sets to provide a bidirectional suture. In a still further alternate embodiment, the elongated flexible body supports an elongated tissue-bonding sleeve.
Claims13
A suture assembly for use in cosmetic surgery, aesthetic surgery, and soft tissue fixation, said suture assembly comprising:
- a singular, uninterrupted, flexible, elongate polymeric suture thread having a first and second ends, and a plurality of knots formed in and spaced along said suture thread;
- and
- a plurality of tissue-engaging elements for anchoring said suture assembly on subcutaneous tissues, said tissue-engaging elements comprising a hollow frustoconical shape, each tissue-engaging elements defining an enlarged hollow interior having a tapered lumen including a forward bore at a narrow end of the tapered lumen and enlarging outwardly toward a broader end of the tapered lumen;
- wherein each tissue-engaging element is received upon said suture thread through the forward bore of said tissue-engaging element and between each knot on said suture thread for providing a serial arrangement on said suture thread and fitted for one of:
- restricted movement and direct attachment, and wherein each knot is larger than said forward bore for securing said tissue-engaging elements on said suture thread.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.