Tissue engaging member

Abstract

A system includes a flexible member and a tissue engaging member fixed to the flexible member. The tissue engaging member includes a barb preformed to extend rearward from a distal end of the flexible member at an acute angle relative to the flexible member.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a flexible member; and   a tissue engaging member fixed to the flexible member, the tissue engaging member including a barb preformed to extend rearward from a distal end of the flexible member at an acute angle relative to the flexible member.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member includes polyethylene. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is a monofilament suture. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is a braided multifilament suture. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue engaging member is fixed to the flexible member using one of a press fit, an adhesive, and molding. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue engaging member includes at least one of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and metal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the barb includes a hook configured to pierce into tissue when a removal force is applied to the flexible member. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the barb is cylindrical. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the barb has an oval-shaped planar face with only one axis of symmetry. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the barb is claw-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member extends through the tissue engaging member. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member terminates at the tissue engaging member. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein: the tissue engaging member has an arrow shape; a first portion of the flexible member extends in a first direction toward an inner surface of the arrow shape; a second portion of the flexible member extends in a second direction away from the inner surface of the arrow shape; and the second direction is generally opposite from the first direction. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue engaging member includes a plurality of tissue engaging members randomly attached along the length of and about the flexible member. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue engaging member includes a first tissue engaging member attached to the distal end of the flexible member and extending proximally, and a second tissue engaging member attached to a proximal end of the flexible member and extending distally such that the first and second tissue engaging members are opposed to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a self-locking loop attached to a proximal end of the flexible member, wherein the tissue engaging member is attached to the distal end of the flexible member. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member includes a plurality of flexible members having portions that are intertwined and distal ends that are untwined, and the tissue engaging member includes a plurality of tissue engaging members, at least one of the tissue engaging members connected to each one of the distal ends of the plurality of flexible members. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a tissue reinforcing material and a tissue adhering material attached to a proximal end of the flexible member, wherein the tissue engaging member is attached to the distal end of the flexible member. 
     
     
         19 . A system, comprising:
 a flexible member; and   a tissue engaging member attached to the flexible member, wherein the tissue engaging member is configured to deflect toward the flexible member as the flexible member is inserted into tissue to allow insertion of the flexible member into tissue, and the tissue engaging member is configured to deflect away from the flexible member as a removal force is applied to the flexible member to prevent removal of the flexible member from tissue.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the tissue engaging member is movable relative to the flexible member. 
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising:
 a flexible member; and   a tissue engaging member connected to the flexible member, the tissue engaging member comprising:
 a first barb configured to deflect toward the flexible member as the flexible member is inserted into tissue to allow insertion of the flexible member into tissue, and to deflect away from the flexible member as a removal force is applied to the flexible member to prevent removal of the flexible member from tissue; and 
 a second barb configured to deflect toward the flexible member as the flexible member is inserted into tissue to allow insertion of the flexible member into tissue, and to deflect away from the flexible member as a removal force is applied to the flexible member to prevent removal of the flexible member from tissue. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second barbs form an arrow shape.