Biodegradable fastener

Abstract

A fastener includes an elongate body defined by a first end, a second end, a first side portion, and a second side portion. The elongate body includes a plurality of discrete slits along at least the first side portion, and the plurality of slits extend at least partially into the elongate body of the fastener. The elongate body of the fastener includes a biodegradable material.

1 . A fastener comprising:
 an elongate body having a first side portion and a second side portion, the second side portion opposite the first side portion; and   a plurality of discrete slits along the first side portion of the elongate body, the plurality of discrete slits extending at least partially into the elongate body of the fastener.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body further comprises a plurality of discrete slits along the second side portion of the elongate body, the plurality of discrete slits extending at least partially into the elongate body of the fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slits extend in a direction perpendicular to the length of the elongate body. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slits extend at an angle greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees to the length of the elongate body. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 5 , wherein the biodegradable material is selected from aliphatic polyesters, polyanhydrides, polyvinyl alcohol, starch derivatives, cellulose esters, polyethylene derivatives, cellulose and starch, and starch and glycerin. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a biodegradable material and the second layer comprising a paper material. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the first layer comprising a paper material, the second layer comprising a biodegradable material, and the third layer comprising a paper material, wherein the second layer is located between the first layer and the third layer. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body does not comprise a malleable material. 
     
     
         10 . A cluster of fasteners comprising:
 a plurality of fasteners defining the cluster, each fastener comprising:
 an elongate body having a first side portion and a second side portion, the second side portion opposite the first side portion; and 
 a plurality of discrete slits along the first side portion of the elongate body, the plurality of discrete slits extending at least partially into the elongate body of the fastener; 
   wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is connected at a first end.   
     
     
         11 . The cluster of fasteners of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate body of each fastener further comprises a plurality of discrete slits along the second side portion of the elongate body, the plurality of discrete slits extending at least partially into the elongate body of each fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The cluster of fasteners of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of slits extend in a direction perpendicular to the length of each elongate body. 
     
     
         13 . The cluster of fasteners of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of slits extend at an angle greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees to the length of each elongate body. 
     
     
         14 . The cluster of fasteners of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate body of each fastener comprises a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         15 . The cluster of fasteners of  claim 14 , wherein the biodegradable material is selected from aliphatic polyesters, polyanhydrides, polyvinyl alcohol, starch derivatives, cellulose esters, polyethylene derivatives, cellulose and starch, and starch and glycerin. 
     
     
         16 . The cluster of fasteners of  claim 10 , wherein each fastener comprises a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a biodegradable material and the second layer comprising a paper material. 
     
     
         17 . The cluster of fasteners of  claim 10 , wherein each fastener comprises a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the first layer comprising a paper material, the second layer comprising a biodegradable material, and the third layer comprising a paper material, wherein the second layer is located between the first layer and the third layer. 
     
     
         18 . The cluster of fasteners of  claim 10 , wherein each elongate body does not comprise a malleable material. 
     
     
         19 . A method of arranging fasteners into a cluster, the method comprising:
 providing a sheet of fasteners, the sheet comprising a biocompatible material;   cutting the sheet of fasteners in parallel lines, wherein the parallel lines are spaced apart to define a width of an elongate body of each fastener;   cutting a plurality of slits along a first side portion of the elongate body of each of the fasteners, the plurality of slits extending at a predetermined angle relative to the parallel lines, and the plurality of slits spaced apart from each other;   connecting a first end of the sheet of fasteners to a first end of a second sheet of fasteners to provide overlaying layers of fasteners.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the connecting step comprises placing the first end in communication with an adhesive. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein providing the sheet of fasteners includes a step of fusing the sheet comprising biocompatible material with a sheet of paper material. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein providing the sheet of fasteners includes a step of fusing the sheet comprising biocompatible material between a first sheet of paper material and a second sheet of paper material. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the biocompatible material is selected from aliphatic polyesters, polyanhydrides, polyvinyl alcohol, starch derivatives, cellulose esters, polyethylene derivatives, cellulose and starch, and starch and glycerin. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the predetermined angle is 90 degrees. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the predetermined angle is from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises cutting a plurality of slits along a second side portion of the elongate body of each of the fasteners, the slits extending at a predetermined angle relative to the parallel lines, and the plurality of slits spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the predetermined angle of the slits along the first side portion and the predetermined angle of the slits along the second side portion are the same. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the predetermined angle of the slits along the second side portion is a mirror image of the predetermined angle of the slits along the first side portion. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of slits are spaced about 0.125 inches apart.