IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,734,486
Granted Patent B2
US 8,734,486 · App. 12/849,983 · Granted May 27, 2014

Multiple suture thread configuration with an intermediate connector

Inventors: Jeffrey C. Leung (Raleigh, NC); Gregory Ruff (Chapel Hill, NC); Andrew Kaplan (Hillsborough, NC)
Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,734,486
App. No.
12/849,983
Granted
May 27, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A suture system has a plurality of barbed sutures each with a plurality of barbs and a body connector that connects said plurality of barbed sutures. The sutures can move relative to the body connector. The body connector can retain tissue.

Claims (31)

1. A suture system comprising:

a suture system adapted for positioning in tissue and to remain in said tissue after said positioning, the suture system comprising:

a plurality of sutures, each suture having a first end and a second end;

a plurality of barbs located on each suture of the plurality of sutures between the first end and the second end;

each of the barbs of each of the plurality of barbs oriented so as to permit movement of each said suture in a first direction through tissue and to prevent movement of the suture in an opposite direction;

a body located between the first ends and the second ends of said plurality of sutures; and

said body connecting together said sutures of said plurality of sutures; and

said body is slidably located on said sutures; and

said body has an opening and said sutures can move relative to said opening.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said body has said opening and another opening and said sutures can slide through both said opening and said another opening.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said body is cylindrical.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said body includes a bio-absorbable material.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said body includes at least one of ridges, barbs and serrations.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said body includes an opening and said sutures can slide relative to said opening.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said body is cone shaped.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said body is wider than any of said sutures.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said body includes an outer surface that can engage and hold tissue.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said body has an outer surface that can hold tissue.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said sutures are provided through said opening, and said body is located around said sutures.

12. A system comprising the system of claim 1 wherein:

a needle is attached to each of said first end and said second end of each suture.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2013
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
To: ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; AMERICAN MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS HOLDINGS, INC.; ANGIOTECH AMERICA, INC.; ANGIOTECH BIOCOATINGS CORP.; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS (US), INC.; B.G. SULZLE, INC.; MANAN MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.; MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; SURGICAL SPECIALTIES CORPORATION; ANGIOTECH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CORP.
Reel/Frame 030211/0479 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2012
From: ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; QUILL MEDICAL, INC.
To: ETHICON, INC.; ETHICON, LLC
Reel/Frame 029294/0443 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS - PATENTS (US) Recorded May 16, 2012
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
To: QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 028216/0499 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS - PATENTS (US) Recorded Apr 20, 2012
From: DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY
To: QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 028078/0699 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST - PATENTS Recorded Apr 10, 2012
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
To: QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 028022/0861 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 13, 2011
From: ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; AFMEDICA, INC.; AMERICAN MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS HOLDINGS, INC.; ANGIOTECH AMERICA, INC.; ANGIOTECH BIOCOATINGS CORP.; ANGIOTECH DELAWARE, INC.; ANGIOTECH FLORIDA HOLDINGS, INC.; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS (US), INC.; B.G. SULZLE, INC.; MANAN MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.; MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; NEUCOLL INC.; QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; SURGICAL SPECIALTIES CORPORATION; 0741693 BRITISH COLUMBIA LTD.; ANGIOTECH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, CORP.
To: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 026275/0507 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 19, 2010
From: ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; AFMEDIA, INC.; AMERICAN MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS HOLDINGS, INC.; ANGIOTECH AMERICA, INC.; ANGIOTECH BIOCOATINGS CORP.; ANGIOTECH CAPITAL, LLC; ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS (US), INC.; B.G. SULZLE, INC.; CRIMSON CARDINAL CAPITAL, LLC; MANAN MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.; MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; NEUCOLL, INC.; QUILL MEDICAL, INC.; SURGICAL SPECIALITIES CORPORATION; 0741693 B.C. LTD.; 3091796 NOVA SCOTIA COMPANY; ANGIOTECH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, CORP.; ANGIOTECH INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
To: WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 024861/0219 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 12119749 · May 13, 2008
Division 10914755 · Aug 9, 2004
Division 10216516 · Aug 9, 2002
Related Publication 20100318122A1 · Dec 16, 2010