The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 2010
Filed:
Apr. 05, 2002
Paul V. Fenton, Marblehead, MA (US);
Paul A. Westhaver, Newburyport, MA (US);
Paul V. Fenton, Marblehead, MA (US);
Paul A. Westhaver, Newburyport, MA (US);
Tornier, Inc., Edina, MN (US);
Abstract
A knotless suture device including at least one fusible suture for securing or ligating living tissue structures. The device also includes a generally U-shape fusible coupling member for receiving end portions of the fusible suture. Energy applied to fusible portions of the coupling member cause localized heating and plastic flow so as to fuse the coupling member and the end portion of the suture together. The coupling member can include one or more energy directors on a contact surface to direct and focus energy to particular regions so as to efficiently effect coupling member-to-suture welding.