Importance

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Abstract

A fusible collar for securing sutures without knots and for securing living tissue structures together without sutures is provided. The fusible collar is made of a resilient compressible material and is formed generally in a C-shape which can be compressed into an O-shape, with portions of the collar overlapping around the structures to be secured. Energy is applied to the overlapping portions of the collar to cause localized heating and plastic flow so as to fuse the overlapped portions together. The collar can include one or more energy directors on a contact surface to direct and focus energy to particular regions so as to effect collar-to-suture welding. The invention further provides a kit for securing elongated structures without knots. The kit includes the fusible collar and a tool for compressing the collar around the elongated structures and fusing the collar to itself and/or the elongated structures. The tool includes generally an energy source; a weld head; and an end effector for supporting the collar during compression; and electronics, switches, and control devices for supplying the weld energy and activating the end effector. Suitable energy sources for welding include thermal, optical, heat, radiofrequency energy, current sources, and preferably ultrasonic energy.

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First Claim