| abstract |
A barbed suture for connecting human or animal tissue, the suture comprising (a) an elongated body having a first end, a second end and a diameter and (b) a plurality of barbs projecting from the body, each barb facing in a direction and being adapted for resisting movement of the suture, when in tissue, in an opposite direction from the direction in which the barb faces, wherein the barbs have a configuration comprising varying barb sizes. |