Patent ID: 8721664

Claim:
A method for approximating tissue comprising the steps of: (A) obtaining a wound closure device including a needle, a polymer suture filament having a first end fixedly secured to said needle and a second end formed into a loop, and a first suture portion between said first and second ends having a plurality of tissue engaging elements along a length of said first portion, said tissue engaging elements being adapted to permit movement of the needle and first suture portion through tissue in the direction of the first end, and impair movement of the first portion of the polymer suture filament in a direction of the second end once inserted into tissue; (B) inserting said needle and suture filament into tissue; (C) withdrawing said needle and a portion of said suture filament from said tissue, whereby at least a portion of said suture filament remains within said tissue; (D) inserting said needle and a portion of said suture filament through said loop to form an anchor for said suture filament at an anchor point; and (E) after forming said anchor, inserting said needle and a portion of said suture filament through tissue to thereby approximate said tissue.