Self-retaining systems having laser-cut retainers

摘要

Self-retaining suture system including a suture thread (502) bearing a plurality of laser-cut tissue retainers (510) are disclosed. A laser system allows the creation of retainers and self-retaining suture systems in configurations which are difficult and/or impossible to achieve using mechanical cutting technology. The plurality of tissue retainers each have an entrance ramp (514) from which a volume of material has been removed from the suture thread adjacent the tip (512) of the retainer the entrance ramp being adapted to promote engagement of tissue by the tissue engagement surface of the retainer.