| 摘要 |
A suture guide, and fastener (100) includes a suture retaining device (102) which orients, secures one or more suture strands (104) therein, receives energy applied to the strands (104) to bond them within the suture retaining device (102). The fastener becomes integral with the bonded sutures, and may be made of a material similar to the suture material which melts upon the application of energy thereto. Alternatively, the fastener (100) may be made of a different material which remains intact upon application of bonding energy to the sutures. When ultrasonic energy is applied, the fastener (100) may function as a stationary ultrasonic weld anvil. Other types of energy, such as laser, thermal or chemical, may be applied to the suture strands (104) to effect bonding.
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