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:
Dec. 28, 2010
Filed:
May. 11, 2007
Andrew Kaplan, Hillsborough, NC (US);
Gregory L. Ruff, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Jeffrey C. Leung, Raleigh, NC (US);
Matthew A. Megaro, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Andrew Kaplan, Hillsborough, NC (US);
Gregory L. Ruff, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Jeffrey C. Leung, Raleigh, NC (US);
Matthew A. Megaro, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Abstract
A method is provided for performing a procedure to reposition a portion of a breast using a suture including a plurality of barbs. The barbs on a first portion of the suture adjacent a first end of the suture permit movement of the suture through tissue in a direction of movement of the first end and prevent movement of the suture through tissue in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the first end. The barbs on a second portion of the suture adjacent a second end of the suture permit movement of the suture through tissue in a direction of movement of the second end and prevent movement of the suture through tissue in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the second end. The method comprises the steps of inserting the first end of the suture through a first insertion point and causing the first portion of the suture to engage a tissue, inserting the second end of the suture through the first insertion point and advancing the second end of the suture through breast tissue to a first exit point located on the breast caudally of the first insertion point, and manually grouping and advancing the breast tissue relative to the suture towards the first insertion point to reposition a portion of the breast tissue.