Suture tensioning device

• US 20030208210A1
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Inventors: Dreyfuss, Peter J., Schmieding, Reinhold, Romeo, Anthony A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,326,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0483 Hand-held instruments for holding sutures A61B17/0469 takes precedence; other holders for needles or sutures A61B17/06061; surgical forceps A61B17/28; surgical pincettes A61B17/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/82 for bone cerclage apparatus for manipulating wires or straps A61B17/8861; wires, bands or straps other than cerclage A61B17/842
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures

Abstract

A device for tensioning suture which includes two telescopically slidable cannulated tubes. An adjustment wheel is coupled to and turns a threaded post which is threadingly engaged with the proximal end of one of the slidable tubes. A suture end is passed through the cannulated tubes of the suture tensioning device and secured to the adjustment wheel. Rotating the adjustment wheel counterclockwise increases the overall length of the suture tensioning device and increases tension on the suture.

Claims

1. A suture tensioning device, comprising:

a first cannulated tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

a second cannulated tube telescopically slidable within the first cannulated tube;

a spring compressibly disposed between the first cannulated tube and the second cannulated tube for biasing the tubes apart; and

a screw having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the screw being threadingly engaged with the proximal end of the first cannulated tube, the proximal end of the screw being engaged with an adjustment device adapted to be coupled to an end of a strand of suture passing through the first and second cannulated tubes, such that rotation of the screw adjusts overall length of the device, thereby adjusting suture tension.

2. The suture tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment device is a wheel.

3. The suture tensioning device of claim 1, further comprising a thumb pad disposed at the proximal end of the first cannulated tube for preventing movement of the first cannulated tube as the screw is rotated.

4. The suture tensioning device of claim 1, further comprising a scale provided at the distal end of the second cannulated tube for indicating the suture tension as strand of suture threaded through the first cannulated tube.

5. The suture tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the suture comprises a bioabsorbable material.

6. The suture tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the suture comprises wire.

7. A suture tensioning device, comprising:

a first cannulated tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

a second cannulated tube telescopically slidable within the first cannulated tube;

a spring compressibly disposed between the first cannulated tube and the second cannulated tube for biasing the tubes apart;

a screw having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the screw being threadingly engaged with the proximal end of the first cannulated tube, the proximal end of the screw being engaged with an adjustment wheel having a suture post and a plurality of cleats for securing an end of a strand of suture passing through the first and second cannulated tubes, such that rotation of the screw adjusts overall length of the device, thereby adjusting suture tension; and

a thumb pad coupled to the first cannulated tube for preventing rotation of the first cannulated tube as the adjustment wheel is rotated.

8. A method of tensioning a strand of suture, comprising the steps of:

looping a strand of suture around a first section of a tissue and a second section of tissue to be joined;

advancing a first end of the suture through a cannulated suture tensioner, the suture tensioner comprising;

a first cannulated tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

a second cannulated tube telescopically slidable within the first cannulated tube;

a spring compressibly disposed between the first cannulated tube and the second cannulated tube for biasing the tubes apart;

a rotatable adjustment device threadingly engaged with the proximal end of the first cannulated tube, the proximal end of the adjustment device including a structure for engaging suture;

securing the end of the suture passing through the cannulated suture tensioner to the post of the adjustment device; and

rotating the adjustment device with the secured end of the suture to adjust the overall length of the suture tensioner and exert tension on the suture, thereby tightening the loop of suture around the first and second sections of tissue.

9. The method of tensioning a strand of suture according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment device is an adjustment wheel coupled to a screw which is threadingly engaged with the first cannulated tube.

10. The method of tensioning a strand of suture according to claim 8, further comprising the step of securing the end of the suture to at least one cleat provided on the adjustment device.

11. The method of tensioning a strand of suture according to claim 8, further comprising the step of determining the amount of tension exerted on the suture by reading a scale provided on the second cannulated tube of the suture tensioner.

12. The method of tensioning a strand of suture according to claim 8, wherein the first section of a tissue and the second section of a tissue include bone.

13. The method of tensioning a strand of suture according to claim 8, wherein the first section of a tissue includes bone and the second section of a tissue includes soft tissue.

14. A method for attaching a first tissue fragment to a second tissue fragment, comprising the steps of:

providing a suture adjacent at least one of the first and second tissue fragments;

advancing one end of the suture through a cannulated suture tensioning device;

securing the end of the suture to a proximal end of the cannulated suture tensioner;

rotating an adjustment wheel at the proximal end of the suture tensioner to which the suture end is secured, to exert tension on the suture and to tighten the suture adjacent the first and second tissue fragments.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first tissue fragment and the second tissue fragment include bone.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first tissue fragment includes bone and the second tissue fragment includes soft tissue.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the suture comprises wire.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the suture is formed of a bioabsorbable material.