Apparatus and method for applying and adjusting an anchoring device

• US 5,562,689 A
• Filed: 02/08/1995
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sienkiewicz, Henry R., Castro, Salvatore, Ratcliff, Keith, Manzo, Scott E., Green, David T., Marinkovich, Dragomir C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHMIDT, JEFFREY
• Application Number:
  US08/385,524
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/157, 606/148, 606/139, 606/232, 606/215, 606/216, 606/217, 606/213, 24/115 M, 24/136 L, 24/136 R, 600/29
• US Class Current: 606/151
• 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 17/0469 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 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/062 Needle manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1327 Tensioning clamps
• 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 2017/00805 Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0416 Packages or dispensers for suture anchors or for anchor applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• 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 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0065 Peelable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0036 implantable A61F2/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0045 Support slings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3973 Rope clamped between cone and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3996 : Sliding wedge

Abstract

A method and apparatus for elevating, approximating and/or restraining internal organs or structures, and more particularly for treating female urinary stress incontinence are provided. The apparatus include an anchoring device having an elongated suture with an anchor at each end thereof and a cinching member therebetween for adjusting the operative length of the suture, an articulating apparatus for applying the anchoring device during an endoscopic or laparoscopic procedure, and an apparatus for drawing the suture relative to the cinching member after it has been emplaced.

Claims

1. A surgical device for anchoring tissue which comprises:

a) an elongated suture defining opposed end portions;

b) a first anchoring member positioned at one end of said suture and a second anchor member positioned at the opposed end of said suture; and

c) a cinching member provided on said suture between said first and second anchor members and movable with respect to said suture for approximating said first and second anchor members, said cinching member including a housing defining an outer periphery, a passageway for receiving at least a portion of said suture, and a tapered wedge member disposed within said passageway and selectively movable therein for permitting relative movement of said suture and said cinching member to adjust the operative length of said suture, all portions of said cinching member being disposed entirely within said outer periphery of said housing.

2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said tapered wedge member includes a plurality of outwardly extending ribs for engaging said suture.

3. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said cinching member further comprises means for limiting relative movement of said housing and said wedge member.

4. A device as recited in claim 3, wherein said limiting means includes a protuberance which depends from said wedge member and a track defined in said housing for accommodating said protuberance.

5. A surgical device for anchoring tissue which comprises:

a) an elongated suture defining opposed end portions and a midsection;

b) a first anchor member positioned at one end of said suture and a second anchor member positioned at the opposed end of said suture; and

c) a cinching member operatively associated with said midsection of said suture and movable with respect thereto for approximating said first and second anchor members, said cinching member including

(i) a housing defining an outer periphery an inlet port, an outlet port, a passageway for receiving at least a portion of said suture, and a divider positioned adjacent said outlet port; and

(ii) a tapered wedge member disposed within said passageway and selectively movable therein for permitting relative movement of said suture and said cinching member to adjust the operative length of said suture, wherein said divider maintains separation between the opposed end portions of said suture and wherein all portions of the cinching member are disposed entirely within the outer periphery of the house.

6. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said tapered wedge member includes opposed ribbed surfaces for engaging said suture.

7. A device as recited in claim 5, further comprising means for limiting relative movement of said housing and said wedge member, said means including a protuberance which depends from said wedge member and a track which is defined in said housing for accommodating said protuberance.

8. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said divider is positioned at the geometric center of said outlet port.

9. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said divider is rectangular.

10. A device as recited in claim 9, wherein said divider is substantially aligned with an axis extending from said inlet port to said outlet port.

11. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said inlet port has a substantially rectangular cross-section.