Active suture for the delivery of therapeutic fluids

An active suture/needle/fluid source assembly for delivering a fluid, said active suture/needle/fluid source assembly comprising

• an active suture comprising
• a braided suture having proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter, said braided suture having a plurality of interstices along at least a portion of its length;
• and
• a tube having proximal and distal ends and internally coaxial with at least a portion of the braided suture, said tube having an internal passageway and one or more openings along at least a portion of its length for conducting the fluid to the plurality of interstices of said braided suture;
• a surgical needle attached to the distal end of the braided suture;
• a connector attached to the proximal end of the tube;
• and
• an external fluid source for supplying fluid under pressure, said external fluid source in fluid communication with said connector, wherein the fluid is supplied to said assembly at a pressure exceeding that which can evolve within said assembly due to capillary or diffusional phenomena.