High strength suture with coating and colored trace
AssigneeArthrex, Inc.
InventorsR. Donald Grafton, Reinhold Schmieding
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Abstract
A high strength abrasion resistant surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics is color coded for visualization and identification purposes. The suture features a multifilament cover formed of strands of ultra high molecular weight long chain polyethylene braided with polyester, nylon or a bioabsorbable material. Selected nylon fibers in the cover are provided in a color contrasting with the other cover fibers to provide an identifiable trace. The cover surrounds a core formed of twisted strands of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The suture, provided in a #2 size, has the strength of #5 Ethibond, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle.
Claims3
A suture strand suitable for use as a suture or ligature comprising:
- a sheath including fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene braided with fibers of one or more long chain synthetic polymers other than ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene,
- wherein the sheath further comprises at least one fiber provided with a color contrasting with the fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and the fibers of one or more long chain synthetic polymers, to provide an identifiable trace;
- and
- a core of twisted fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene surrounded by the sheath.
A suture strand suitable for use as a suture or ligature comprising:
- a first plurality of fibers comprising ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene;
- a second plurality of fibers comprising a first long chain synthetic polymer other than ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene;
- and
- a third plurality of fibers comprising dyed filaments of polyester or nylon,
- wherein the first plurality of fibers, the second plurality of fibers, and the third plurality of fibers are braided to form a sheath, and
- wherein the third plurality of fibers is provided with a color contrasting with the first plurality of fibers and the second plurality of fibers to provide an identifiable trace;
- and
- a core of twisted fibers of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene surrounded by the sheath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.