A suture assembly includes an elongated flexible body which may be either asingle filament for a multiple strandbraided or woven body, supporting a plurality of shaped tissue- engagingelements in a generally spaced arrangement thereon. Acurved body having a sharp point is joined to one end of the flexible bodywhile a straight pointed body is joined to the remaining endof the flexible body. In alternate embodiments, the tissue-engaging elementsdefine a variety of cross-section shapes. In a furtheralternate embodiment, the tissue-engaging elements are divided into first andsecond oppositely facing sets to provide a bidirectionalsuture. In a still further alternate embodiment, the elongated flexible bodysupports an elongated tissue- bonding sleeve.
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