METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BARBED SUTURES
An apparatus for forming barbed sutures, the apparatus comprising: a suture frame configured for presenting a plurality of lengths of suture on which barbs are to be formed; a bending mechanism configured to bend the plurality of lengths of suture to present a bent part of each length of suture for cutting; a cutting assembly configured to cut into a convex surface of the bent part of each length of suture to form a barb on the bent part of each length of suture; an indexing block configured to support the suture frame and the cutting assembly, the indexing block comprising an indexing mechanism configured to lock the suture frame and the cutting assembly in a cutting position and to effect relative stepwise movement between the suture frame and the cutting assembly to allow a plurality of barbs to be formed at intervals apart on each length of suture.