Length of self-retaining suture and method and device for using the same

• US 10,441,270 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2014
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Megaro, Anthony R., Megaro, Matthew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan V
• Application Number:
  US14/570,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20150100072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,765 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06066 Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations making needles B21G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06019 by means of a suture-receiving lateral eyelet machined in the needle lateral opening for attaching suture to suture anchor A61B2017/0414
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06042 located close to needle tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06057 Double-armed sutures, i.e. sutures having a needle attached to each end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06076 helically or spirally coiled for sutures A61B2017/06171
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/3001 for sharps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0045 Support slings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes

Abstract

A method and device for anchoring a length of self-retaining suture. The method of anchoring includes providing for an assembly having a length of self-retaining suture and a suture insertion device. The length of suture includes at least a portion of the length having a plurality of retainers thereon extending in a first direction. The insertion device has a length and a recess to receive a portion of the suture length. The method further includes placing a portion of the suture length in the recess and inserting the device into the body of a mammal until the recess reaches a predetermined location thereby forming an insertion pathway. The method further includes retrieving the insertion device from the body by moving the insertion device in a direction substantially opposed to the insertion pathway.

Claims

1. A suture insertion device comprising:

(a) a suture including;

(i) a first section having a plurality of outwardly projecting retainers,

(ii) a second section having a plurality of outwardly projecting retainers, and

(iii) an intervening section separating the first and second sections such that the retainers terminate at the intervening section;

(b) a substantially rigid, elongate body having a first device end, a second device end and a device length, said first device end comprising a point at a terminal end defined by an underside and a topside;

(c) a recess proximate to the first device end to receive a cross section of the intervening section of the suture without the first and second section of the suture extending therein, said recess having a frontward end and a rearward end, and said frontward end and said rearward end comprise crescent shaped walls that are generally parallel to each other; and

(d) a forwardly extending finger located at the rearward end of the recess for maintaining the intervening section of the suture within the recess during insertion; and

wherein said underside extends longitudinally along a length of the suture insertion device opposed to the recess and terminates at said point of said first device end, said underside being generally parallel to an axis of the elongate body, and wherein said topside extends from said frontward end and terminates at said point of said first device end, said topside being non-parallel to the axis of said elongate body.

2. The suture insertion device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the topside or underside of the first device end is sharpened so as to pierce the surface of the tissue.

3. The suture insertion device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the underside of the device length is sharpened so as to cut the tissue during insertion.

4. The suture insertion device of claim 1 further comprising a gripping member located proximate to the second device end.

5. The suture device of claim 4 wherein the gripping member further comprises a suture recess for receiving a length of suture along the length of the gripping member.

6. The suture device of claim 4 wherein the gripping member is textured on at least a portion of its surface to aid in manual manipulation.

7. The suture insertion device of claim 1 wherein the device length is straight.

8. The suture insertion device of claim 1 wherein the device length is curved.

9. The suture insertion device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the device length is helical.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the suture insertion device comprises a needle.

11. A suture insertion device, comprising:

(a) an enclosed loop of suture including;

(i) a first section having a plurality of retainers extending outwardly in a first direction,

(ii) a second section having a plurality of retainers extending outwardly in a second direction opposite from the first direction, and

(iii) an intervening section positioned between the first and second sections, wherein tip portions of the plurality of retainers of the first and second sections are directed away from the intervening section;

(b) an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the elongated body includes a distal end and a proximal end; and

(c) a recess proximate to the distal end, wherein the recess is configured to receive the intervening section of the suture.

12. The suture insertion device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of retainers of the suture terminate along the intervening section.

13. The suture insertion device of claim 11, wherein the recess is sized and shaped to receive the intervening section therein.

14. The suture insertion device of claim 11, wherein the recess is defined by a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the proximal and distal portions of the recess comprise crescent shaped walls.

15. The suture insertion device of claim 14, further comprising an extending finger extending distally from the proximal portion toward the distal portion, wherein the extending finger is configured to hold the suture within the recess against the proximal portion.

16. The suture insertion device of claim 15, wherein the distal end of the elongated body includes an underside that extends distally from the proximal portion towards a point, wherein the underside is separated from the extending finger by the recess, wherein the underside is parallel to the longitudinal axis.

17. The suture insertion device of claim 16, wherein the distal end of the elongated body includes a topside that extends distally from the distal portion towards the point, wherein the topside is transversely orientated relative to the longitudinal axis.

18. A suture insertion device, comprising:

(a) an enclosed loop of suture including;

(i) a first end,

(ii) a second end,

(iii) a first plurality of retainers extending toward the first end,

(iv) a second plurality of retainers extending toward the second end, and

(v) an intervening section positioned between the first and second plurality of retainers, wherein tip portions of the first and second plurality of retainers are directed away from the intervening section;

(b) an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the elongated body includes a distal end and a proximal end; and

(c) a recess proximate to the distal end, wherein the recess is configured to receive the intervening section of the suture.