Apparatus and method of forming barbs on a suture
A barbed suture is provided. The barbed suture includes an elongate body and at least one barb extending from the elongate body. The elongate body defines a recess adjacent the at least one barb. Also provided is a method of making a barbed suture. The method includes the steps of providing a suture nest and a punch apparatus configured for operable engagement with the suture nest, loading a suture through the suture nest, engaging the punch apparatus with the suture nest, and disengaging the punch apparatus with the suture nest.
1. A barbed suture comprising:
an elongate body; and
a first barb extending from the elongate body, the first barb including a leading outer edge and a trailing outer edge and the elongate body defining a first recess adjacent the first barb, wherein the first recess is substantially semi-ellipsoidal and is spaced from the leading and trailing outer edges of the first barb.
2. The barbed suture of claim 1 , further including a ridge extending about the first recess defined in the elongate body.
3. The barbed suture of claim 1 , further including a plurality of ridges extending about the first recess defined in the elongate body.
4. The barbed suture of claim 1 , including a plurality of barbs.
5. The barbed suture of claim 4 , including a ridge corresponding to each of the plurality of barbs.
6. The barbed suture of claim 1 , wherein the first recess adjacent the first barb is oriented in the same direction as the first barb.
7. The barbed suture of claim 1 , wherein the first barb is integrally formed from the elongate body.
8. The barbed suture of claim 1 , wherein the elongate body and the first barb are monolithic.
9. The barbed suture of claim 1 , further including a needle.
10. The barbed suture of claim 1 , wherein the elongate body defines a longitudinal axis, and the first recess is radially spaced from the longitudinal axis.
11. The barbed suture of claim 1 , wherein the first recess is at least partially disposed within the first barb.
12. The barbed suture of claim 1 , wherein first recess is curved.