Multi-Element Biased Suture Clip

• US 20060265012A1
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
• Inventors: Anderson, Steven C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,806,910 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/232
• 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 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0488 Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/202 Resiliently biased
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3929 Rubber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3936 Pivoted part

Abstract

A suture clamping system, including a plurality of elements positioned together in a row, wherein at least one of the elements is flexible, the plurality of elements each being dimensioned such that an opening slot is formed through the row of elements when the at least one flexible element is biased into a first position, and wherein a tortuous path is formed through the row of elements when the elements are not biased. A method of clamping a suture pair, including biasing a row of adjacent flexible elements to a first position in which an opening slot is formed there along; receiving the suture pair into the opening slot; and removing the biasing such that the adjacent flexible elements move to positions which hold the suture pair in a tortuous path.

Claims

1. A suture clamp comprising a plurality of elements positioned together in a row, the plurality of elements defining a slot sized to accept a suture element through the row of elements when at least one of the elements is in a first position, and wherein a tortuous path for the suture element is formed when at least one of the elements is in a second position, the clamp being adapted to prevent movement of a tissue layer along the suture element.

2. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the elements are flexible.

3. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein the suture clamp is constructed as a unitary member.

4. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein the suture clamp is constructed of nitinol.

5. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements are bonded together to form a single suture clamp.

6. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements are sized to receive a second suture element therethrough.

7. The suture clamp according to claim 6, wherein the first and second suture elements comprise ends of a suture loop.

9. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element is in the first position when biased.

10. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein the suture clamp is constructed as a unitary member.

11. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein the suture clamp is constructed of nitinol.

12. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements are bonded together to form a single suture clamp.

13. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements are sized to receive a second suture element therethrough.

14. The suture clamp according to claim 13, wherein the first and second suture elements comprise ends of a suture loop.

8. A suture clamp comprising a plurality of elements positioned together in a row, the plurality of elements defining a slot sized to accept a first suture element through the row of elements when at least one of the elements is in a first position and a tortuous path for the first suture element being formed when at least one of the elements is in a second position, one or more of the plurality of elements comprising a flexible element movable from the first position to the second position, the clamp being adapted to prevent movement of a tissue layer along the first suture element.

15. A method of clamping a suture passing through a tissue layer with a suture clamp system comprising a plurality of elements positioned together in a row, wherein the elements are such that when at least one of the elements is biased into a first position, a slot to accept a suture is formed through the row of elements, and wherein a tortuous path is formed through the elements when the elements are not biased, the method comprising:

biasing at least one element into the first position,

passing the suture through a tissue layer,

receiving the suture into the slot, and

removing the biasing such that the tortuous path is formed.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the biasing step comprises using a biasing device to bias the at least one element.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving two sutures into the slot.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the biasing step comprises biasing in a direction transverse to a length of the row.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising securing the row of elements to the suture.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of removing the biasing comprises slidably advancing the row of elements through a biasing device.