US 12,458,344 B2
Suture having adaptable surface characteristics, and related systems and methods
David B. Spenciner, North Attleboro, MA (US); Dennis Connelly, Arlington, MA (US); and Gregory R. Whittaker, Stoneham, MA (US)
Assigned to Medos International Sarl, Le Locle (CH)
Filed by Medos International Sarl, Le Locle (CH)
Filed on Jul. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/814,736.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/225,664, filed on Jul. 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0030543 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/06166 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/06176 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0618 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A suture construct elongate along a longitudinal direction, wherein the suture construct is configured to change in size from a first configuration to a second configuration, the suture construct comprising:
an outer layer of material extending along the longitudinal direction, the outer layer of material comprising a plurality of intertwined fibers that comprises a first subset of fibers crossed by a second subset of fibers at respective intersections, wherein fibers of at least the first subset of fibers have discrete visual indicia that comprises discrete colored regions located at or adjacent the intersections, wherein the outer layer of material is configured such that the discrete visual indicia have:
a first visualization characteristic when the suture construct is in the first configuration; and
a second visualization characteristic when the suture construct is in the second configuration, wherein the second visualization characteristic is visually different than the first visualization characteristic,
wherein one of the first and second visualization characteristics is caused by the discrete colored regions being substantially obscured by the second subset of fibers, and the other of the first and second visualization characteristics is caused by at least portions of the discrete colored regions being substantially exposed.