The present invention is related to methods and apparatus that can enhance the security of a suture knot by annealing a portion of the suture knot. Such a suture knot is less likely to fail by slippage. Advantageously, the methods and apparatus can operate in a liquid environment, such as the inside...http://www.google.ca/patents/US6596015?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6596015 - Methods and apparatus for annealing sutures
