Suture for wound closure, tissue approximation, tissue support, suspension ...

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(12) United States Patent

Kolster

(io) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent:

US 7,582,105 B2 *Sep. 1, 2009

(54) SUTURE FOR WOUND CLOSURE, TISSUE APPROXIMATION, TISSUE SUPPORT, SUSPENSION AND/OR FIXATION

(75) Inventor: Alwin Kolster, Corona, CA (US)

(73) Assignee: Silhouette Lift Societad Limitada,

Barcelona (ES)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 72 days.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21) Appl.No.: 11/500,733

(22) Filed: Aug. 7, 2006

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2007/0038249 Al Feb. 15, 2007

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 11/168,173, filed on Jun. 28, 2005, now Pat. No. 7,468,068.

(60) Provisional application No. 60/584,927, filed on Jun. 30, 2004.

(51) Int. CI.

A61B 17/04 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 606/228; 606/232

(58) Field of Classification Search 606/228 232,

606/220

See application file for complete search history. (56) References Cited

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2003/0149447 Al * 8/2003 Morencyetal 606/228

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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.

13 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets