#$%^&*AU2011200704B220131003.pdf#####ABSTRACT Methods and apparatus for providing barbed sutures, one of the methods disclosed comprising the following steps: 5 providing a raw suture filament, directing a laser beam at areas of the suture filament and removing sections of the suture filament with a laser beam in order to produce barbs on the suture 10 filament. 257511 1_1 (GHManters) P49716.AU.4 18/02/111 / 9 Fig. 1 - 14 16 10 16 12 16 616 Fig. 1A 16 10 Fig. 2 14 a 14 b 20 28 10 a 10a 10b b2 10 24 26 10 b . 10 l~c 16