Patent ID: 6270517
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A suture assembly for lateral insertion in body tissue, said body tissue having a cut defined therein, said cut having a length and having first and second opposite sides, said suture assembly for joining said first and second sides of said cut at a junction formed along the length of said cut, comprising:an elongated central body member having first and second sides and first and second ends;a plurality of lateral members each having a length, an inner end and an outer end, said lateral members disposed substantially perpendicular to said central body member, and with said lateral members' inner ends attached along said first and second sides of said central body member, said lateral members being substantially parallel to and in planar relation with one another, each lateral member adapted for insertion into a side of said cut;means for retaining said lateral members in said body tissue;a plurality of needle members, each having a pointed end and a shank end; anda plurality of thread members, each associated with one of said plurality of needle members, each thread member having a first and a second end, said second end attached to said shank end of its respective needle member and its first end attached to said outer end of its respective lateral member, said needle members for pulling said thread members and attached lateral members through said body tissue on said opposite sides of said cut to position said central body member in said cut and retain said cut in a closed position by said means for retaining said lateral members in said body tissue.