| CPC A61B 17/0401 (2013.01) [A61B 17/04 (2013.01); A61B 17/0487 (2013.01); A61B 17/06066 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0419 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0445 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0462 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0464 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0496 (2013.01)] | 8 Claims |

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1. An interrupted suture member-needle combination for connecting human or animal tissue comprising
a) the interrupted suture member comprises a flexible elongate member comprising a plurality of indents, ridges or locking teeth arranged along a portion of the elongate member, having a distal tip end and a proximal end, wherein the distal tip end comprises two or more anchoring detents configured for anchoring the interrupted suture member in tissue and defining a channel, wherein the channel is a through-hole extending through the distal tip end between the anchoring detents and the proximal end comprises a movable locking member arranged around the elongate member and wherein the locking member comprises resilient locking arm for locking engagement with the plurality of indents, ridges or locking teeth of the elongate member, the locking member further comprising a tissue abutment surface having a larger cross section than the interrupted suture member adapted to abut the tissue and whereby a force exerted on the tissue by the anchoring detents and the locking member may be adjusted by moving the locking member along at least a portion of the interrupted suture member and wherein the locking member is adapted to move towards the distal tip end and not in the opposite direction, and
b) the suture needle comprising a straight or arcuated body having a tip portion and an end portion, the tip portion further comprises a sharp cutting edge wherein the tip portion is configured for insertion through the channel in the distal tip end of the interrupted suture member and wherein the suture needle is restricted from extending through the distal tip end of the interrupted suture member by a stopping element wherein the stopping element comprises a step, a protrusion or an increase in thickness of a part of the body of the needle for interactions with the sides of the channel.
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