Patent ID: 7758614
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A closed suture loop, comprising: a U-shaped coupling member extending along a central axis between a first coupler end and a second coupler end, said U-shaped coupling member having a fusible interior surface including a plurality of energy directors and an exterior surface extending between said first coupler end and said second coupler end, and defining an open interior region bounded by said interior surface, each of the plurality of energy directors extending from said interior surface to a distal tip in the interior region, said distal tip being spaced apart from said interior surface, wherein a groove formed in the interior surface between at least two of the plurality of energy directors is narrower than the open interior region; a flexible fusible elongated member extending along a curved axis between a first portion at a first suture end and a second portion at a second suture end, wherein said first portion and said second portion are mutually adjacent and oppositely directed, said first portion and said second portion being disposed in said interior region with said suture axis of said first portion and said second portion being substantially parallel with said central axis; wherein the elongated member comprises a surgical suture material, wherein said first portion of the suture is fused to said second portion and said first portion and said second portion are fused to said interior surface of said coupling member, the plurality of energy directors defining fusion regions of the sutures and the coupling member and being adapted to focus energy applied to the coupling member to the fusion regions so that one or more of the elongated members and coupling member are fusible together at the fusion regions.