Suture device

A suture device comprises a loop member formed on one side with an aperture and an access channel extending from the aperture to an opening defined by the loop. A thread connected to loop is provided along a portion of its length with a series of tapered projections. Protuberances are provided on the loop member along the access channel between the opening and the aperture for preventing a return of the thread through the channel upon a passing of the thread through the loop and subsequently through the channel into the aperture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a suture device. More particularly, this 
invention relates to a suture device with components for locking the 
suture upon the application thereof at a surgical site. 
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,497 to Lemole, a suture apparatus 
includes a cord of latch notches, a needle at one end of the cord, and a 
latch collar at the other end of the cord. The latch collar is provided 
with a passage through which the needle is pulled, followed by a selected 
number of latch notches. Upon the pulling of a final notch through the 
collar passage, the cord is severed on a side of the latch collar opposite 
the side of entry of the cord into the latch passage. 
Although the suture device of U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,497 provides a number of 
advantages over simple suture threads, that suture device has several 
shortcomings which make it unsuitable for many surgical applications. 
Particularly in cases requiring fine stitches or ligatures, where the 
device of Lemole is necessarily small, the needle and cord of that device 
are inserted through the passage in the latch collar only with appreciable 
difficulty. Although in some applications, such as in the binding of a 
sternum or the approximating of ribs, a large suture device is necessary 
to provide the requisite strength, in other applications complications may 
arise by leaving a large suture . structure at the surgical site. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,825 to Akiyama discloses a ligature including a 
surgical thread with a plurality of spherical or conical projections 
spaced regularly along the length of the thread. One end of the thread is 
attached to a cylindrical member having an aperture with a diameter larger 
than the outside diameter of the projections on the thread. The spacings 
between the projections and the size of the apertured member are designed 
to enable a locking of the thread in a loop about a vessel by means of 
friction forces which arise between the projections and the apertured 
member upon a passing of the thread through the aperture and a subsequent 
tightening of the loop so formed. 
The ligature disclosed in Akiyama suffers from the same disadvantages as 
the suture device of Lemole. Basically, in cases where fine blood vessels 
or other ducts are to be closed, the passing of the thread through the 
apertured member is difficult and requires considerable concentration and 
patience. 
As depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,138 to Jarvik, another ligature 
comprises an endless loop formed with a continuous series of ratchet-like 
ridges or pawl-like teeth. One side of the loop is connected via an 
elongate extension to a finger engaging loop, the extension traversing an 
opening in a closure member. Upon a pulling of the ridged loop through the 
closure by means of the finger engaging loop, the ridged loop is 
constricted and the teeth along the endless loop are caught against the 
closure to lock the endless loop in its constricted configuration. 
Although the ligature of Jarvik obviates the problem of passing a thread 
through a small opening, the endless ridged or toothed loop must generally 
be passed over the end of a hemostat prior to closure of that loop about a 
severed blood vessel. This step clearly complicates the ligation 
procedure. In addition, the closure of the Jarvik ligature is necessarily 
bulky. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a suture device of the 
above-described general type which can be used in both ligating and 
suturing operations. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a suture device 
which is easy to use, even in cases requiring a small sutures or 
ligatures. 
Another, more particular, object of the present invention is to provide 
such a suture device which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. 
A further particular object of the present invention is to provide such a 
suture device which comprises a reduced amount of material. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A suture device in accordance with the present invention comprises a thread 
member, a loop member, a connector element or portion, and a locking 
component or components. The thread member is provided along at least a 
portion of its length with a series of resilient projections and has an 
outer diameter defined by the projections. The loop member is in the form 
of a flexible thread and defines an opening having an effective linear 
dimension or diameter (when the loop is in a circular configuration) 
substantially larger than the outer diameter of the thread member, while 
the connector element or portion serves to couple one end of the thread 
member to the loop member. Either the thread member or the connector 
element or both define at least in part an aperture having a linear 
dimension smaller than the outer diameter of the thread member, the 
aperture communicating with the opening in the loop member. The locking 
component or components are provided on either the connector element or 
the loop member or both and serve to prevent a removal of the thread 
member from the aperture upon a passing of the thread member through the 
loop member and a subsequent pulling of the thread member into the 
aperture from the loop member. 
In using a suture device in accordance with the invention, a surgeon passes 
a free end of the thread member through or around a body tissue or organ 
to be sutured or ligated. Subsequently, the free end of the thread is 
passed through the loop member so that the thread member forms another 
loop. The surgeon then pulls the thread member through the loop member so 
that the thread member passes the locking component(s) into the aperture 
and so that the loop formed by the thread contracts. Upon the surgeon's 
continuing to pull the thread member through the aperture, the thread loop 
is tightened about the body tissue or organ to be sutured or ligated. The 
locking components automatically prevent the thread member from being 
withdrawn from the aperture. In a final step of a method, a free end 
portion of the thread member is severed and removed from the fastened 
suture upon a completion of the thread pulling operation. 
In an optional, additional step of a method pursuant to the present 
invention, upon a completing of the thread pulling operation, the loop 
member is severed from the connector element. To enable performance of 
this step, the method must use a particular suture according to the 
invention wherein the aperture is contiguous with the connector element 
and is therefore located on the same side of the loop member as the 
connector element. 
Pursuant to preferred features of the present invention, a locking 
component is in the form of a protuberance on the loop and projects 
towards the aperture. Preferably, there are two locking components in the 
form of two protuberances projecting from the loop towards the aperture. 
The protuberances are undercut on a side facing the aperture, with the 
result that they appear to lean inwardly towards the aperture. 
The protuberances may be disposed across an access channel from one another 
or may be staggered along the channel, the channel communicating on the 
one side with the loop opening and on the other side with the aperture. 
Pursuant to another feature of the present invention, the connector element 
comprises a Y-shaped connector piece between the thread member and the 
loop member. 
Pursuant to yet another feature of the present invention, the loop member 
is provided on a side opposite the connector element and the thread member 
with an extension such as an additional thread member. This extension 
facilitates the positioning of the loop member to receive the thread 
member. A surgeon uses the thread to hold the loop member out and away 
from the body tissues being sutured or ligated. 
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the 
aperture is generally triangular. 
In accordance with another, particular embodiment of the present invention, 
the connector element comprises a body member between the loop member and 
the thread member, the body member being formed with the aperture. In a 
preferred form, the body member is cylindrical, while the aperture is 
star-shaped. 
Pursuant to yet further features of the present invention, the projections 
on the thread member are tapered from a larger transverse dimension down 
towards an end of the thread member opposite the connector element, while 
the thread member, the loop member, the connector element and the locking 
component or components are integrally molded. Advantageously, a needle 
element is attached to the thread member at an end thereof opposite the 
connector element. 
A suture device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention 
has a body member which defines the aperture for receiving the thread 
member. In this embodiment of the invention, the thread member is 
connected to one side of the body member, while the loop member is 
connected to another side of the body member substantially opposite the 
thread member. In addition, the body member is provided with an access 
channel extending between the loop member and the aperture and is further 
provided with the locking component or components for preventing a removal 
of the thread member from the aperture upon a threading of the thread 
member through the loop member and a subsequent pulling of the thread 
member through the access channel into the aperture from the loop member. 
In accordance with another particular embodiment of the present invention, 
a suture device comprises a thread member provided along at least a 
portion of its length with a series of resilient projections, the thread 
member having an outer diameter defined by the projections. A loop member 
defines an opening having a linear dimension substantially larger than the 
outer diameter, while a connector component or portion joins one end of 
the thread member to the loop member. An aperture forming component is 
provided on the loop member along a portion thereof spaced from the 
connector component for defining an aperture having a linear dimension 
smaller than the outer diameter of the thread member and communicating 
with the opening defined by the loop. At least one locking component is 
provided for preventing a removal of the thread member from the aperture 
upon a passing of the thread member through the loop member and a 
subsequent pulling of the thread member into the aperture from the loop 
member. The locking component advantageously takes the form of at least 
one protuberance on the loop member or the aperture forming component, the 
protuberance pointing from the loop opening towards the aperture. 
A suture device in accordance with the present invention is easy to use, 
particularly in cases requiring a small sutures or ligatures. The suture 
device may in such cases comprise a comparatively small amount of 
material. And such a suture device can be used in both ligating and 
suturing operations, in microsurgery and possibly neurosurgery, as well as 
in more conventional applications such as ligation of blood vessels and 
other ducts and approximation of ribs and the binding of sternums. 
A suture device in accordance with the present invention provides a suture 
which is virtually slippage free, even in cases where considerable amounts 
of stress and tension are involved. Such a suture device enables or at 
least facilitates the application of higher magnitudes of force to provide 
tighter bonds, closures and ligations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a suture device 110 comprises a thread member 
126, a loop member 124, a connector element 114, and a locking mechanism 
in the form of a pair of inwardly projecting resilient protuberances 111 
and 113 on loop member 124. Thread member 126 is formed along a portion of 
its length with a series of conically tapering projections 128 and has an 
outer diameter D1 defined by a maximum outer transverse dimension of 
projections 128. Projections 128 each taper from the maximum outer 
transverse dimension on a side facing connector element 114 to a mimimum 
traverse dimension at the adjacent projection. 
Loop member 124 defines an opening 115 having an effective linear dimension 
or overall diameter D2 (when the loop is circularly arranged) 
substantially larger than outer diameter Dl of thread member 126. 
Connector element 114 is in the shape of a Y and serves to couple one end 
of thread member 126 to loop member 124. Loop member 124, connector 
element 114 and protuberances 111 and 113 define a generally triangular 
aperture 116 having a linear dimension or size smaller than outer diameter 
D1 of thread member 126. Generally, aperture 116 has an area smaller than 
the cross-sectional area of projections 128 at the large ends thereof. 
Protuberances 111 and 113 are undercut on a side facing aperture 116, with 
the result that the protuberances appear to lean inwardly towards the 
aperture. 
Linear dimension or overall diameter D2 of loop member opening 115 is at 
least twice as large as outer diameter Dl of thread member 126. 
Concomitantly, opening 115 of loop member 124 has an area at least four 
times the cross-sectional area subtended by projections 128 at their 
largest width or diameter. This substantial difference in the dimensions 
of opening 115 and thread member 126 enables practical use of the suture. 
If opening 115 were smaller, relative to the outer diameter Dl of thread 
member 126, than contemplated by the invention, the suture could not 
perform satisfactorily in surgical applications, inasmuch as the suture is 
very small. Moreover, during surgical operations surgeons wear gloves 
which interfere with facile manipulation of thread member 126 and loop 
member 124 and thus with the threading of the thread member through the 
loop member. The greater size of opening 115 facilitates a threading 
operation which otherwise could not be performed at all or could be 
performed only with the greatest difficulty. 
For some applications of suture device 110, linear dimension or overall 
diameter D2 of loop member opening 115 is preferably even larger than 
twice outer diameter Dl of thread member 126. For example, diameter D2 may 
be six times the size of diameter D1. In such a case, of course, opening 
115 of loop member 124 has an area at least thirty-six times the 
cross-sectional area subtended by projections 128 at their largest width 
or diameter. 
Protuberances 111 and 113 define a passageway or access channel 120 between 
opening 115 and aperture 116. The protuberances serve to prevent a removal 
of thread member 126 from aperture 116 upon a passing of thread member 126 
through opening 115 (i.e., through loop member 124) and a subsequent 
pulling of thread member 126 into aperture 116 from opening 115 through 
access channel 120. 
It is to be noted that connector element 114 and protuberances 111 and 113 
may be considered to form a body member to which thread member 126 on one 
side and loop member 124 on an opposite side are connected. Aperture 116 
is provided in the body member. 
As illustrated in FIG. 2, another suture device 210 similar to that 
illustrated in FIG. 1, also comprises a thread member 226, a loop member 
224, a connector element 214, and a locking mechanism in the form of a 
pair of inwardly projecting resilient protuberances 211 and 213 on loop 
member 214. Thread member 226 is formed along a portion of its length with 
a series of conically tapering projections 228 and has an outer diameter 
D21 defined by a maximum outer transverse dimension of projections 228. 
Projections 228 each taper from the maximum outer transverse dimension on 
a side facing connector element 214 to a mimimum traverse dimension on an 
opposite side. 
Loop member 224 defines an opening 215 having an effective linear dimension 
or overall diameter D22 (when the loop is in a circular configuration) 
substantially larger than, i.e., at least twice as large as, outer 
diameter D21 of thread member 226. Connector element 214 is in the shape 
of a Y and serves to couple one end of thread member 226 to loop member 
224. Loop member 224, connector element 214 and protuberances 211 and 213 
define a generally triangular aperture 216 having a linear dimension or 
size smaller than outer diameter D21 of thread member 226. Generally, 
aperture 216 has an area smaller than the cross-sectional area of 
projections 228 at the large ends thereof. 
Protuberances 211 and 213 define a passageway or access channel 220 between 
opening 215 and aperture 216. The protuberances serve to prevent a removal 
of thread member 226 from aperture 216 upon a passing of thread member 226 
through opening 215 (i.e., through loop member 224) and a subsequent 
pulling of thread member 226 into aperture 216 from opening 215 through 
access channel 220. 
It is to be noted that connector element 14 and protuberances 11 and 13 may 
be considered to form a body member to which thread member 26 on one side 
and loop member 24 on an opposite side are connected. 
Suture device 210 differs from suture device -10 in several respects. The 
free end of thread member 226 is provided with a hook shaped suture needle 
232, and loop member 224 is smaller than loop member 124. In addition, 
loop member 224 is provided on a side opposite connector element 214 with 
an extension thread 230, for purposes of facilitating the manipulation of 
loop 224 by a surgeon or other user, so that loop 224 may be held 
outwardly to enable easy passage of thread member 226 through opening 215. 
Finally, projections 228 are at least partially hollow, while projections 
128 are substantially solid. 
Because projections 228 are hollow, they are collapsible during a sewing 
stroke of thread member 226. Accordingly, thread member 226 presents a 
smooth or streamlined configuration to body tissues through which the 
thread member is being pulled during a stitching or sewing stroke. 
However, in accordance with the self-locking feature of suture device 210, 
projections 228 expand into an opened configuration upon a pulling of 
thread member in a reverse direction through aperture 216 after a sewing 
operation has been completed. 
As depicted in FIG. 3, a suture device 310 comprises a body member 314 
generally in the form of a small cylinder or sphere. Body member 314 is 
provided with a star-shaped aperture or bore 316 extending longitudinally 
(or diametrically, in the case of a sphere) through the body member and 
provided with a plurality of circumferentially or angularly spaced 
tapering fingers 318. One finger 320 forms an access channel extending to 
an opening 315 defined in a loop 326 attached to body member 314. Along 
access channel 320 body member 314 is provided with a resilient inwardly 
projecting protuberance 311. 
Suture device 310 also comprises a thread 326 attached to the outer surface 
of body member 314 on a side thereof opposite access channel 320. The 
other end of thread 324 is unattached, i.e., a free end. 
Thread member 326 is provided along at least a portion of its length with a 
multiplicity of substantially equispaced ribs 328. Ribs 328 have an outer 
diameter substantially smaller than a linear dimension or diameter of 
opening 315, whereby thread member 326 with ribs 328 easily passes through 
opening 315. 
Protuberance 311 serves to prevent a removal of thread member 326 from 
aperture 316 upon a passing of thread member 326 through opening 315 
(i.e., through loop member 324) and a subsequent pulling of thread member 
326 into aperture 316 from opening 315 through access channel 320. 
It is to be noted that connector element 114 and protuberances 111 and 113 
may be considered to form a body member to which thread member 126 on one 
side and loop member 124 on an opposite side are connected. 
FIG. 4 depicts a suture device 410 similar to suture device 310, insofar as 
suture device 4-0 also comprises a body member 414 generally in the form 
of a small synthetic resin or polymeric cylinder. Body member 414 is 
formed with a star-shaped aperture or bore 416 having several tapering 
fingers 418. One finger 420 is open on an outer side and extends to an 
outer surface 422 of body member 414. Suture device 410 also comprises a 
first thread 424 and a second thread 426. First thread 424 is attached at 
its opposite ends to outer surface 422 on opposite side of finger 420 to 
form a loop, while one end of second thread 426 is connected to body 
member 414 on a side thereof opposite finger 420. Thread 424 is provided 
along at least a portion of its length with a multiplicity of flattened, 
tire shaped ribs 428. 
As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the loop formed by thread 424 of suture 
device 410 is smaller than loop 324 of suture device 310. In addition, 
thread 424 is connected at a point approximately midway along its length 
to one end of a third thread 430. The other end of thread 430 is free. 
Body member 414 is provided along finger 420 with a pair of resilient 
inwardly projecting protuberances 411 and 413 which serve to prevent a 
removal of thread member 426 from aperture 416 upon a passing of thread 
member 426 through an opening 415 defined by thread 424 and upon a 
subsequently pulling of thread member 426 into aperture 416 from opening 
415 through finger 420. 
As illustrated in FIG. 5, a suture device 510 comprises a body member 514 
generally in the form of a small cylinder or sphere. Body member 514 is 
provided with a star-shaped aperture or bore 516 extending longitudinally 
(or diametrically, in the case of a sphere) through the body member and 
provided with a plurality of circumferentially or angularly spaced 
tapering fingers 518. One finger 520 extends to an outer surface 522 of 
body member 514. 
Suture device 510 also comprises a first thread 524 attached at its 
opposite ends to outer surface 522 on opposite side of finger 520 to form 
a loop defining an opening 515. One end of a second thread 526 is attached 
to outer surface 522 of body member 514 on a side thereof opposite finger 
520. The other end of thread 524 is unattached. 
Thread 524 is provided along at least a portion of its length with a 
multiplicity of barbs, teeth or serrations 528 which are inclined from the 
free end of thread 526 towards the attached end thereof, i.e., towards 
body member 514. 
Body member 514 is provided along finger 520 with a pair of resilient 
protuberances 511 and 513 projecting inwardly towards aperture or bore 
516. Protuberances 511 and 513 are staggered with respect to one another, 
protuberance 513 being closer than protuberance 511 to the center of 
aperture 516. Protuberances 511 and 513 serve the locking or blocking 
function described above. 
As illustrated in FIG. 6, another suture device 610 in accordance with the 
invention includes a body member 614 with a substantially cylindrical 
aperture 616 communicating via a passageway or access channel 620 with a 
loop formed by a thread 624 attached at its ends to an outer surface 622 
of body member 614 on opposite sides of channel 620. A thread 626 is 
connected at one end to body member 614 on a side thereof opposite channel 
620 and thread 624. Thread 626 is provided along at least a portion of its 
length with a multiplicity of barbs, teeth or serrations 628 which are 
inclined outwardly from the free end of thread 626 towards body member 
614. Teeth 628 are triangular and are provided in longitudinally spaced 
arrays of four circumferentially spaced teeth. 
Body member 610 is provided in channel 620 with an inwardly directed barb, 
hook or fingerlike protuberance 211 which overlaps the inner end of 
channel 620 and acts as a one-way valve member to close that channel to 
the removal of thread 624 upon the lodgement thereof in aperture 616. 
FIG. 7 illustrates the disposition of a suture device 710 (basically the 
same as suture devices 110 and 210) with respect to a blood vessel 34 upon 
the completion of an operation attaching the suture device to the vessel 
to close it. Suture device 710 includes a thread 726 provided along at 
least a portion of its length with a series of conically tapered 
projections 728. Thread 726 extends from a Y-shaped body member 714 around 
the circumference of vessel 34 and through a triangular aperture 716 in 
the body member. A free end of thread 726 is locked to body member 714 in 
part by a pair of protuberances 711 and 713 incorporated in body member 
714. Protuberances 711 and 713 are resilient finger shaped elements 
defining an access channel (not designated) communicating with aperture 
716 and serving to enable a surgeon to slip thread 726 into the aperture 
and to prevent the thread from slipping out of the aperture back through 
the access channel. The free end of thread 726 is also locked to body 
member 714 because projections 728 are too large, at their wide ends, to 
pass back through aperture 716. A loop 724 connected to body member 714 
and the free end of thread 726 extending beyond body member 714 are 
severed near body member 714. 
The attachment of suture device 510 to an open blood vessel 36 or other 
tubular duct is schematically shown in FIGS. 8A through 8D. The open end 
of vessel 36 is first clamped by a hemostat 38 or other surgical 
instrument. Upon a placement of device 510 proximately to vessel 36, as 
illustrated in FIG. 8A, the free end of thread 526 is passed around the 
vessel. As shown in FIG. 8B, the free end of thread 526 is then passed 
through through loop 524. As the loop consequently formed by thread 526 is 
closed about blood vessel 36, care being taken to ensure the proper 
disposition of the loop about the end of the vessel, thread 526 is slipped 
through open finger or passageway 520 into bore 516. With the surgeon 
holding suture device 510 in place, as schematically indicated in FIG. 8C, 
thread 526 is pulled longitudinally through bore 516 until the loop formed 
by the thread has tightened sufficiently to close off and clamp blood 
vessel 36. As described above, serrations 528 function to prevent thread 
526 from slipping back through bore 516 and to thereby lock the suture 
device around blood vessel 36. Upon the completion of the loop tightening 
operation, thread 526, as well as thread 524, is severed at a point near 
body member 514, as shown in FIG. 8D. Hemostat 38 may then be removed from 
the end of the clamped vessel. 
The use of suture device 510 to close an open cut 42 is schematically 
depicted in FIGS. 9A through 9D. Upon a placement of device 510 
proximately to body tissues 40 near cut 42, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the 
free end of thread 526 is passed through tissues 40, cut 42 and tissues 44 
on the other side of the cut. To facilitate this sewing operation, the 
free end of thread 526 is provided with a relatively inflexible extension 
132 in the form of a hook-shaped needle 532. As shown in FIG. 9B, needle 
extension 532 is removed or cut from thread 526 upon the passage of the 
thread through tissue portion 44. Subsequently, the free end of thread 526 
is passed through loop 524, as shown in FIG. 9C. As a loop consequently 
formed by thread 526 is closed, thereby drawing tissue portions 40 and 44 
towards one another to close cut 42, thread 526 is slipped through open 
finger or passageway 520 into bore 516. Thread 526 is then pulled 
longitudinally through bore 516 until the loop formed by thread 526 has 
tightened to close cut 42 and clamp tissue portions 40 and 42 to one 
another. As described above, serrations 528 function to prevent thread 526 
from slipping back through bore 516 and lock the suture device in a 
clamping configuration to the body tissues. Upon the tightening of thread 
526, that thread, as well as thread 524, is severed at a point near body 
member 514, as shown in FIG. 9D. 
It is to be noted that protuberances 511 and 513 have been omitted from 
FIGS. 8A-8D and 9A-9D for purposes of simplifying the drawing. In 
addition, FIGS. 9A-9C show surgical device 510 with an extension 530 on 
loop 524. Thread 530 serves to facilitate the handling of loop 524 in 
cases where loop 524 is too small to conveniently manipulate while passing 
thread 526 therethrough. It is to be further understood that any of the 
particular embodiments of a suture device described herein may be used in 
performing the surgical operations described with reference to FIGS. 8A-8D 
and 9A--9D above. 
As illustrated in FIG. 10, a suture device 810 comprises a thread member 
826, a loop member 824, a connector element or joint portion 814, and 
inwardly projecting aperture forming wings 817 and 818 on loop member 824. 
The suture device further comprises a locking mechanism in the form of a 
pair of inwardly projecting resilient protuberances 811 and 813 on wings 
817 and 818. Thread member 826 is formed along a portion of its length 
with a series of conically tapering projections 828 and has an outer 
diameter OD1 defined by a maximum outer transverse dimension of 
projections 828. Projections 828 each taper from the maximum outer 
transverse dimension on a side facing joint portion 814 to a mimimum 
traverse dimension at the adjacent projection. 
Loop member 824 defines an opening 815 having an effective linear dimension 
or overall diameter OD2 (when the loop is circularly arranged) 
substantially larger than outer diameter OD1 of thread member 826. 
Connector or joint portion 814 serves to couple one end of thread member 
826 to loop member 824. Loop member 824 with inwardly projecting wings 817 
and 818, connector 814 and protuberances 811 and 813 define a generally 
oval aperture 816 having a linear dimension or size smaller than outer 
diameter OD1 of thread member 826. Generally, aperture 816 has an area 
smaller than the cross-sectional area of projections 828 at the large ends 
thereof. 
Linear dimension or overall diameter OD2 of loop member opening 815 is at 
least twice as large as outer diameter OD1 of thread member 826. 
Concomitantly, opening 815 of loop member 824 has an area at least four 
times the cross-sectional area subtended by projections 828 at their 
largest width or diameter. This substantial difference in the dimensions 
of opening 815 and thread member 826 enables practical use of the suture. 
If opening 815 were smaller, relative to the outer diameter OD1 of thread 
member 826, than contemplated by the invention, the suture could not 
perform satisfactorily in surgical applications, inasmuch as the suture is 
very small. Moreover, during surgical operations surgeons wear gloves 
which interfere with facile manipulation of thread member 826 and loop 
member 824 and thus with the threading of the thread member through the 
loop member. The greater size of opening 815 facilitates a threading 
operation which otherwise could not be performed at all or could be 
performed only with the greatest difficulty. 
In contrast to loop member opening 115 of suture device 110, loop member 
opening 815 of suture device 810 has a narrow range of operative sizes. 
This limitation arises from the fact that loop 824 is not severed during 
the surgical operation but instead remains an integral part of the suture 
after surgery has been completed. For example, if suture device 810 is 
used to close a tubular body organ such as a blood vessel or bile duct, 
the circumference of loop member 824 cannot exceed twice the circumference 
of the vessel or duct. 
Protuberances 811 and 813 define a passageway or access channel 820 between 
opening 815 and aperture 816. The protuberances serve to prevent a removal 
of thread member 826 from aperture 816 upon a passing of thread member 826 
through opening 815 (i.e., through loop member 824) and a subsequent 
pulling of thread member 826 into aperture 816 from opening 815 through 
access channel 820. 
In using a suture in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 10, thread 
member 826 is looped about a tubular member or is threaded through tissues 
to be stitched. The thread member is then passed through loop opening 815 
and pulled through access channel 820 into aperture 8-6. Upon a sufficient 
tightening of the loop formed by thread member 826, the free end of the 
thread member may be severed. In contrast to loop members 124 and 224 
sutures 110 and 210 (FIGS. 1 and 2), respectively, the loop member 824 of 
suture 810 is not severed at the end of a stitching or ligating operation. 
FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a suture 910 with collapsible hollow conical 
projections 928 similar to projections 228 of suture device 210 (FIG. 2), 
except that projections 928 have an internal structure which biases them 
into the closed configuration (FIG. 11). However, when acted upon by a 
force exerted along a thread member 926 in a direction away from a loop 
member 924, projections 928 open or expand, as indicated at 929 in FIG. 
12. During use of suture 910 in ligating a tubular body organ 930, as 
shown in FIG. 13, only a single projection 931 is opened or expanded. The 
other projections 928 remain in a closed configuration, whereby thread 928 
presents a smooth surface to contiguous body tissues. Of course, the 
thread construction of FIGS. 11-13 may be used in the all of the 
particular suture embodiments described above. 
The suture devices described herein are all integrally molded pursuant to 
techniques well known in the art. The sutures are made of polyethylene, 
polypropylene, nylon, tetrafluoroethylene or other synthetic resin or 
polymeric material which is essentially inert and therefore biochemically 
safe for sustained contact with the body tissues of human beings and other 
animals. The suture needles are attached to the free ends of the thread 
members by embedding techniques also well known in the art. 
Suture devices in accordance with the present invention can be used 
controlling bleeding vessels, tying off open ducts (e.g., bile ducts), 
creating anastomoses (connecting the open ends of two tubular sections in 
a splicing type operation), and suturing together flaps of skin or other 
body tissues on opposite sides of a cut. Suture devices as described 
herein, if appropriately dimensioned, can be used in microsurgery and 
neurosurgery and for such larger scale operations as binding sternums and 
approximating ribs. 
It is to be noted that loop members of the various specific suture devices 
disclosed herein, for example, loop members 124 and 824 are made of a 
flexible, thin, thread-like element. In the case of suture device 110, the 
thin thread-like element facilitates severing of loop member 124 at the 
end of a suturing operation. In the case of suture device 810, the thin 
thread-like element enables loop member 824 to be wound about a body 
tissue such as a blood vessel or duct. Thus, the flexibility of loop 
member 824 enables suture device 810 to conform to the body tissues to 
which it is attached. 
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular 
embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light 
of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications 
without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed 
invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and 
descriptions herein are preferred by way of example to facilitate 
comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the 
scope thereof.