US 9,125,647 B2 · Method and apparatus for elevating retainers on self-retaining sutures

Abstract

A method and device to elevate retainers on a suture thread to a desired angle such that the retainers can retain the desired elevation. The retainers can be elevated using an apparatus having at least one roller and at least one bending bar, wherein the bending bar contacts the retainers adjacent to the at least one roller to apply a force to the retainers. The retainers can also be elevated using a tube-shaped apparatus. A suture can be made up of an inner core and a coating that upon a stimuli increases the protrusion of the retainers away from the suture core. A coating can be inserted into the cut associated with the retainer and repulsive or expansive forces result in a pushing out of the cut and distending of the retainers away from the suture core.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of forming a self-retaining suture comprising the steps of:

forming a plurality of retainers on an elongated suture body by inserting said suture into a retainer-forming machine, wherein said retainer-forming machine forms retainers in said suture;
and
performing a step of elevating the retainers away from the suture body, wherein the step of elevating the retainers comprises:
after the retainers have been created by said retainer-forming machine, inserting the suture having retainers into an apparatus having at least one roller and at least one bending bar;
drawing the suture through the apparatus over the at least one roller;
and contacting the retainers with said at least one bending bar, wherein said bending bar physically applies a force to the retainers and bends the retainers back.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for elevating retainers on self-retaining sutures

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for elevating retainers on self-retaining sutures

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18