T-type suture anchoring devices and methods of using same

• US 20060025819A1
• Filed: 05/12/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Vakharia, Omar J., Nobis, Rudolph H., Swain, Christopher Paul, Bakos, Gregory J., Linenkugel, Duane A., Faux, John A., Jankoski, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,388,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/232
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0467 Instruments for cutting sutures surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0451 Cams or wedges holding the suture by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0488 Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle

Abstract

Suture anchoring devices are disclosed, including a T-tag anchoring device that is suitably small enough to fit into the hollow tip of a needle and, furthermore, provide protection to the suture against being cut or otherwise damaged by the sharp edge of the needle tip. One disclosed device includes a slot for providing a pivot point between the suture and the body when deployed, which can be employed to form a T-tag.

Claims

9. A medical device for anchoring suture comprising:

a tag body is sized to fit within a needle;

a suture attached to a portion of said tag body; and

wherein at least a portion of the tag body is adapted to protect the suture from being damaged by a sharp edge of the needle.

10. A medical device for anchoring suture comprising:

1. A medical device for anchoring suture comprising:

a. A tag body is sized to fit within a needle;

b. A suture attached to a portion of said tag body; and

c. A means for protecting said suture from being damaged by a sharp edge of said needle.

2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said means for protecting said suture comprises a profiled tab formed on said tag body.

3. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said means for protecting said suture comprises a flexible sleeve covering a portion of said suture.

4. The medical device of claim 3 wherein said flexible sleeve comprises a polyamide tube.

5. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said tag body comprises a cylindrical body and a slot in said cylindrical body extending along a long axis of said cylindrical body.

6. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said suture is constructed of a metal fiber.

7. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said needle is an endoscopic ultrasound needle.

8. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said tag body has an outside diameter of no more than about 0.030 inches.

12. The medical device of claim 10 wherein said tag body and said locking feature are formed as a unitary piece.

14. The medical device of claim 12 wherein said tag body comprises a cylinder having an outer diameter of no more than about 0.05 inches.

15. The medical device of claim 12 wherein said tag body includes a distal end that tapers from a first diameter to a second diameter.

16. A method of assembling a suture anchor comprising the steps of:

providing a medical device comprising;

a tag body, wherein said tag body is sized to fit within a needle;

a suture attached to a portion of said tag body; and

a

protector for preventing said suture from being damaged by an edge of said needle;

providing a needle; and

loading said medical device into an inner diameter of said needle.

11. a tag body sized to fit within a needle;

a suture attached to a portion of said tag body; and

a locking feature.

13. A medical device for anchoring suture comprising:

a tag body, wherein said tag body is sized to slide over a needle; and

a suture attached to said tag body.

16-1. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of loading the medical device comprises positioning the the protector over a sharp edge of said needle.

17. A method of assembling a suture anchor comprising the steps of:

providing a medical device comprising;

a tag body having a proximal end, wherein said tag body is sized to slide over a needle; and

a suture attached to said tag body;

providing a needle including a protective sleeve having a distal end; and

placing said medical device over the outside diameter of said needle such that a distal end of said protective sleeve is directed toward a proximal end of said tag body.