Reinforced tissue patch
View Patent ↗A method of improving the mechanical properties of a tissue patch is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a tissue patch and placing at least one barbed suture along at least a portion of the tissue patch. The method may further include the step of placing one or more additional barbed sutures in a laterally spaced relation to the barbed suture. The barbed suture may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable.
1. A reinforced tissue graft comprising:
a tissue patch; and
at least one barbed suture received within the tissue patch, wherein barbs of the at least one barbed suture are completely maintained within a thickness of the tissue patch, wherein the tissue patch is one of an allograft, a xenograft, or an autograft.
2. The reinforced tissue graft of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barbed suture extends along a length of the tissue patch.
3. The reinforced tissue graft of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barbed suture forms at least one of a Z-pattern or an X-pattern.
4. The reinforced tissue graft of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barbed suture is in a spiral configuration.
5. The reinforced tissue graft of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barbed suture is fixedly secured within the tissue patch.
6. The reinforced tissue graft of claim 1 , wherein an entire length of the at least one barbed suture is completely maintained within the tissue patch.
7. The reinforced tissue graft of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barbed suture includes a first barbed suture having a first diameter and a second barbed suture having a second diameter.
8. The reinforced tissue graft of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barbed suture includes a first barbed suture having barbs extending in a first direction and a second barbed suture having barbs extending in a second direction.