Multi-Element Biased Suture Clip
First Claim
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.
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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.
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Citations
20 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.
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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.
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification