A system and method for affixing barbs on a suture are provided. In oneembodiment,the system includes a suture supply mechanism for selectively retaining alength of suture and abarb supply mechanism for operably engaging a barb supply assembly includingat least onebarb. At least one of the suture supply mechanism and the barb supplymechanism areconfigured to approximate towards the other of the barb supply mechanism andsuture supplymechanism to engage the at least one barb of the barb supply assembly with thesuture of thesuture supply assembly. Also provided are a barb for use in forming a barbedsuture and a sutureincluding at least one barb.
