System and method for moving and stretching plastic tissue

• US 20030163160A1
• Filed: 11/07/2002
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canica Design Inc.
• Original Assignee: James Lee, Leonard G. Lee, Michael S.G. Bell, Oʼmalley, Michael T.
• Inventors: Lee, Leonard G, OʼMalley, Michael T, Bell, Michael S G, Lee, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,429,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/213
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0618 elastic, e.g. stretchable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/086 having flexible threads, filaments, laces or wires, e.g. parallel threads, extending laterally from a strip, e.g. for tying to opposing threads extending from a similar strip

Abstract

A system and method of moving and stretching plastic tissue using dynamic force. An elastomeric driver is adjustably attachable to one or more anchors for securing the elastomer to the plastic tissue, providing a self adjusting system that is capable of exerting relatively constant tension over a certain distance.

Claims

1. A system for moving and stretching plastic tissue comprising:

(a) at least one monostrand elastomer; and

(b) at least one anchor;

wherein the elastomer is removably secured to the anchor and the anchor is attached to the tissue, and

wherein the system provides adjustable tension.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the elastomer further comprises a tension indication feature.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the tension indication feature is at least two indicia comprising colorant on the elastomer.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the tension indication feature is at least two indicia comprising structure on the elastomer.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the tension is adjustable within an elastic limit of the elastomer.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the elastomer comprises latex.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor further comprises a cleat adapted to secure the elastomer.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the cleat comprises two diverging arms separated by a slot.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the arms are bent.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor further comprises at least one fluke adapted to penetrate the tissue.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the fluke comprises a foot.

12. The system of claim 1 further comprising prongs adapted to penetrate the tissue and bend to secure the anchor to the tissue.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor further comprises at least one hook adapted to engage the elastomer.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising an eye within the hook.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor is adapted to deform to release the elastomer upon application of a predetermined force.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor further comprises at least one eye.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue with at least one staple.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor comprises a travel way adapted to receive a staple, allowing lateral movement of the anchor relative to the tissue.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor comprises ears adapted to receive a surgical staple.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue with at least one suture.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor further comprises hips adapted to receive at least one suture.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue using surgical adhesive.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the surgical adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue proximate the margin of a wound or incision.

25. The system of claim 1 wherein at least two anchors are adapted to be attached to the tissue on opposite sides of a wound or incision.

26. The system of claim 1 wherein at least two anchors secure at least one elastomer.

27. The system of claim 1 wherein the elastomer is laced among at least three anchors.

28. The system of claim 1 wherein the elastomer has two ends, the at least one anchor comprises at least three anchors, one end of the elastomer is secured to one of the at least three anchors, a loop formed in the elastomer intermediate its ends engages a second anchor, and the other end of the elastomer is secured to a third anchor.

29. The system of claim 1 wherein the elastomer has two ends, one of which is secured to one anchor and the other of which is secured to a second anchor.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the two anchors are attached to the tissue on opposite sides of a wound.

46. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor is adapted to deform to release the force applying component upon application of a predetermined force.

50. The system of claim 29 wherein the anchor comprises ears adapted to receive a surgical staple.

31. A system for moving and stretching plastic tissue comprising:

(a) for attachment to the tissue, at least one anchor comprising a cleat; and

(b) a force applying component removably secured to the anchor by the cleat.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the force applying component is adjustably secured to the anchor.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein the force applying component is at least one monostrand elastomer.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the elastomer further comprises a tension indication feature.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the tension indication feature is at least two indicia comprising colorant on the elastomer.

36. The system of claim 34 wherein the tension indication feature is at least two indicia comprising structure on the elastomer.

37. The system of claim 33 wherein the tension is adjustable within an elastic limit of the elastomer.

38. The system of claim 33 wherein the elastomer comprises latex.

39. The system of claim 31 wherein the cleat comprises two diverging arms separated by a slot.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein the arms are bent.

41. The system of claim 31 wherein the anchor further comprises at least one fluke adapted to penetrate the tissue.

42. The system of claim 31 wherein the fluke comprises a foot.

43. The system of claim 31 further comprising prongs adapted to penetrate the tissue and bend to secure the anchor to the tissue.

44. The system of claim 31 wherein the anchor further comprises at least one hook adapted to engage the force applying component.

45. The system of claim 44 further comprising an eye within the hook.

47. The system of claim 31 wherein the anchor further comprises an eye.

48. The system of claim 31 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue with at least one staple.

49. The system of claim 31 wherein the anchor comprises a travel way adapted to receive a staple, allowing lateral movement of the anchor relative to the tissue.

51. The system of claim 31 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue with at least one suture.

52. The system of claim 31 wherein the anchor further comprises hips adapted to receive at least one suture.

53. The system of claim 31 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue using surgical adhesive.

54. The system of claim 53 wherein the surgical adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

55. The system of claim 31 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue proximate the margin of a wound or incision.

56. The system of claim 31 wherein at least two anchors are attached to the tissue on opposite sides of a wound or incision.

57. The system of claim 31 wherein at least two anchors secure at least one monostrand elastomer.

58. The system of claim 31 wherein the force applying component is laced among at least three anchors.

59. The system of claim 31 wherein the force applying component has two ends, the at least one anchor comprises at least three anchors, one end of the force applying component is secured to one of the at least three anchors, a loop formed in the force applying component intermediate its ends engages a second anchor, and the other end of the force applying component is secured to a third anchor.

60. The system of claim 31 wherein the force applying component has two ends, one of which is secured to one anchor and the other of which is secured to a second anchor.

61. The system of claim 60 wherein the anchors are attached to the tissue on opposite sides of a wound.

62. An anchor for attachment to tissue to transmit to the tissue, for stretching and moving the tissue, force applied to the anchor, the anchor comprising sheet metal.

63. The anchor of claim 62 wherein the metal comprises stainless steel.

64. The anchor of claim 62 wherein the metal is bent to form at least one hook.

65. The anchor of claim 62 wherein the anchor is formed in a chemical milling process.

66. An anchor for attachment to tissue to transmit to the tissue, for stretching and moving the tissue, force applied to the anchor, the anchor comprising a metal plate for contact with the tissue and a cleat attached to the plate.

67. The anchor of claim 66 further comprising a hook attached to the plate.

68. The anchor of claim 67 further comprising an eye within the hook.

69. The anchor of claim 66 further comprising at least one eye.

70. The anchor of claim 66 further comprising at least one fluke for insertion into the tissue.

71. The anchor of claim 66 wherein the anchor is adapted to receive a surgical staple.

72. The anchor of claim 66 further comprising ears adapted to receive a surgical staple.

73. The anchor of claim 66 further comprising a travel way adapted to receive a surgical staple, allowing lateral movement of the anchor relative to the tissue.

74. The anchor of claim 66 wherein the anchor is adapted to receive at least one suture.

75. The anchor of claim 66 further comprising hips adapted to receive a suture.

76. The anchor of claim 66 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue with surgical adhesive.

77. The anchor of claim 66 further comprising means for securing the anchor at two separated locations while accommodating further separation of the two locations during the stretching and movement of the tissue.

78. The system of claim 66 wherein the cleat comprises two diverging arms separated by a slot.

79. The system of claim 78 wherein the arms are bent.

80. The anchor of claim 66 wherein the cleat is adapted for securing a force applying component.

81. The anchor of claim 80 wherein the force applying component comprises an elastomeric component.

82. The anchor of claim 80 wherein the elastomeric component is at least one monostrand elastomer.

83. The anchor of claim 80 wherein the force applying component comprises a suture.

84. A system for moving and stretching plastic tissue comprising:

(a) at least one monostrand elastomer; and

(b) at least one anchor for attachment to the tissue, the anchor comprising;

(i) at least one cleat for removably and adjustably securing the elastomer to the anchor; and

(ii) at least one hook for engaging the elastomer.

85. The system of claim 84 wherein the elastomer further comprises a tension indication feature.

86. The system of claim 85 wherein the tension indication feature is at least two indicia comprising colorant on the elastomer.

87. The system of claim 85 wherein the tension indication feature is at least two indicia comprising structure on the elastomer.

88. The system of claim 84 wherein the tension is adjustable within an elastic limit of the elastomer.

89. The system of claim 84 wherein the cleat comprises two diverging arms separated by a slot.

90. The system of claim 89 wherein the arms are bent.

91. The system of claim 84 wherein the anchor further comprises at least one fluke adapted to penetrate the tissue.

92. The system of claim 91 wherein the fluke comprises a foot.

93. The system of claim 91 further comprising prongs adapted to penetrate the tissue and bend to secure the anchor to the tissue.

94. The system of claim 84 wherein the anchor is adapted to deform to release the elastomer upon application of a predetermined force.

95. The system of claim 84 wherein the hook is perforated by an eye.

96. The system of claim 84 wherein the anchor further comprises at least one eye.

97. The system of claim 84 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue with at least one staple.

98. The system of claim 84 wherein anchor comprises a travel way adapted to receive a staple, allowing lateral movement of the anchor relative to the tissue.

99. The system of claim 84 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue with at least one suture.

100. The system of claim 84 wherein the anchor is adapted to be attached to the tissue using surgical adhesive.

101. The system of claim 100 wherein the surgical adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

102. A method for moving and stretching plastic tissue comprising:

(a) evaluating the needed direction of movement or stretching of the tissue;

(b) determining a number of anchors to employ;

(c) installing at least one anchor;

(d) securing at least one force applying component to the at least one anchor;

(e) adjusting tension by removing and re-securing the at least one force applying component to the at least one anchor.

103. The method of claim 102 wherein the installing the at least one anchor further comprises creating guide marks using a marking instrument.

104. The method of claim 102 wherein the installing the at least one anchor further comprises attaching the at least one anchor to the tissue with at least one staple.

105. The method of claim 102 wherein the installing the at least one anchor further comprises attaching the at least one anchor to the tissue with at least one suture.

106. The method of claim 102 wherein the installing the at least one anchor further comprises attaching the at least one anchor to the tissue with surgical adhesive.

107. The method of claim 102 further comprising dressing the area of application prior to securing the force applying component.

108. The method of claim 102 wherein the force applying component is an elastomeric component.

109. The method of claim 108 wherein the elastomeric component is at least one monostrand elastomer having two ends.

110. The method of claim 109 wherein the securing the force applying component further comprises securing one end of the elastomer to a cleat in a first anchor, lacing the elastomer around a hook of a second anchor, and securing the other end of the elastomer to a cleat in a third anchor.

111. The method of claim 108 wherein the elastomeric component further comprises a tension indication feature.

112. The method of claim 108 wherein the tension is infinitely adjustable within an elastic limit of the elastomeric component.

113. The method of claim 111 wherein the adjusting tension further comprises referring to a tension application table to determine extension needed to apply a desired force.

114. The method of claim 102 wherein the adjusting tension further comprises referring to a tension indication feature of the elastomeric component.

115. The method of claim 102 wherein the force applying component comprises at least two elastomers each having two ends.

116. The method of claim 115 wherein securing the force applying component further comprises securing one end of each elastomer to a first anchor and securing the other end of each elastomer to a second anchor.

117. The method of claim 102 wherein the force applying component is a suture.

118. The method of claim 102 wherein said securing the force applying component further comprises securing a first end of the force applying component to a first anchor and securing a second end of the force applying component to a second anchor.

119. The method of claim 102 wherein the at least one anchor further comprises prongs that bend and engage the tissue, attaching the anchor to the tissue.

120. The method of claim 102 further comprising a plurality of anchors attached to a strip of surgical adhesive.

121. The method of claim 102 wherein the at least one anchor further comprises a cleat for securing the force applying component.

122. The method of claim 102 wherein the at least one anchor further comprises a hook for engaging the force applying component.

123. The method of claim 102 wherein the at least one anchor further comprises an eye.

124. A method of moving and stretching plastic tissue comprising:

(a) securing at least one anchor to the tissue; and

(b) securing a monostrand elastomer to the anchor to exert force on the anchor.

125. The method of claim 124, further comprising:

(c) following passage of an interval of time, removing and re-securing the monostrand elastomer to the anchor to change the force exerted on the anchor.

126. A method of applying approximately equal quantities of force to two pairs of tissue locations, comprising:

(a) stretching a first elastomer between the first pair of tissue locations and noting the separation between indicia on the elastomer; and

(b) stretching a second elastomer like the first between the second pair of tissue locations such that a pair of indicia on the second elastomer are separated by a distance equivalent to the noted separation.

127. A kit of parts for moving and stretching plastic tissue, comprising:

(a) a force applying component;

(b) at least two flukeless anchors;

(c) a plurality of fluke-bearing anchors each comprising at least one cleat; and

(d) packaging surrounding the anchors.

128. The kit of claim 127 wherein the force applying component comprises an elastomeric component.

129. The kit of claim 128 wherein the elastomeric component comprises at least one monostrand elastomer.

130. The kit of claim 127 wherein the plurality of fluke-bearing anchors each further comprise a hook adapted to engage the force applying component.

131. The kit of claim 127 wherein the at least two flukeless anchors each further comprises a cleat adapted to secure the force applying component.