Claims
- 1. A method of enhancing the security of a synthetic suture knot, the method comprising:tying the suture to form the knot; momentarily applying heat to a first area of a first limb of the knot in a liquid environment; momentarily applying heat to a second area of a second limb of the knot in the liquid environment; cutting the first limb such that a first short length of the first limb remains attached to the knot, where the first short limb includes at least a first portion of the first area; cutting the second limb such that a second short length of the second limb remains attached to the knot, where the second short limb includes at least a second portion of the second area; and applying heat to a last throw of the knot such that a first portion of the last throw bonds to a second portion of the last throw.
RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/143,532, filed Jul. 13, 1999, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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Non-Patent Literature Citations (3)
Entry |
Benson B. Roe, M.D., and Paul B. Kelly, Jr., M.D., Heat Fusion of Synthetic Suture Knots During Prosthetic Valve Implantation, 1 Ann Thorac Surg 775-777 (1965). |
Thomas M. Masterson, M.D., et al, Heat Welding for Surgical Sutures, 150 Am. J. Surg. 318-320 (1985). |
Jared P. Tadje, et al., Enhancing Knot Security by Heat Treatment of Knot Ears, 48 J Biomed Mater Res 479-481 (1999). |
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/143532 |
Jul 1999 |
US |