SUTURE MATERIAL HAVING BENEFICIAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
A suture that includes an exterior braid of more than 50% ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, defining a lumen having a lumen diameter. In addition, the suture material includes an interior core, comprised of fibers and having a diameter that is less than 55% of the diameter of said lumen, and wherein the interior core includes four or fewer fibers.
1 . A suture, comprising:
(a) an exterior braid of more than 50% ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, defining a lumen having a lumen diameter;
(b) an interior core, comprised of fibers and having a diameter that is less than 55% of the diameter of said lumen; and
(c) wherein said core includes four or fewer fibers.
2 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein said core is composed, at least in part, of fibers of polyester.
3 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein less than 60% of the fibers of said core are composed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
4 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein said diameter of said core is less than 50% of said lumen diameter.
5 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein said core is composed at least in part of bio-absorbable fibers.
6 . The suture of claim 6 , wherein said bio-absorbable fibers are of polybutyl succinate.
7 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein said core includes no ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
8 . The suture of claim 7 , wherein said core consists of polyester.
9 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein said core makes up less than 20% of said suture structure by weight.
10 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein said exterior braid is comprised of 32 fibers.
11 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein said exterior braid is comprised of 16 fibers.
12 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein said exterior braid is comprised of 8 fibers.
13 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein said core fibers are twisted together.
14 . The suture of claim 1 , wherein said core includes a single fiber, only.
15 . A suture, comprising
(a) an exterior braid of more than 50% ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, defining a lumen; and
(b) an interior core comprised of fibers, at least some of which are made of poly butyl succinate.
16 . The suture of claim 15 , further including a bioabsorbable suture in said exterior braid, said bioabsorbable suture being dyed a distinctive color, to help identify said suture.
17 . The suture of claim 15 , wherein said fibers of said interior core are partially absorbed into a body.