Seal

• US 5,814,056 A
• Filed: 01/30/1997
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Willy Rüsch AG
• Original Assignee: Willy Rüsch AG
• Inventors: Prosst, Rudiger L., Roth, Klaus, Schurr, Marc O., Buess, Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US08/790,663
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 606/224, 606/228, 606/232, 606/151, 606/213, 606/216, 24/16 PB
• US Class Current: 606/151
• 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 17/12013 for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0461 with features cooperating with special features on the suture, e.g. protrusions on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 Plastic band

Abstract

A seal 10 comprises a bushing 11 and a thread 12, wherein the bushing 11 has a first lumen 15 and a second lumen 16. The lumina 15 and 16 extend along the entire length of the bushing 11. The thread 12 can be introduced at one end into the second lumen 16 and has a swelling 21 at the free end which prevents reintroduction and travel of the end of the thread through the second lumen 16. The thread 12 can be introduced into the first lumen 15 via its other free end and pushed through first lumen 15. Enlargements 20 are formed on the thread 12 having a size preventing introduction into the first lumen 15 without the exercise of force. The bushing 11 and the thread 12 are manufactured from a flexible material having a stable shape. When the enlargements 20 are pulled into the first lumen 15, the bushing 11 bends and seats on e.g. tissue to be ligated. When the enlargements 20 are completely pulled into the first lumen 15, the seal 10 is permanently closed. Subsequent thereto the thread 12 is cut-off outside of the seal 10. The seal 10 can be applied using conventional knot-displacers.

Claims

1. A seal comprising:

a bushing made from a flexible material and having a first lumen with a first lumen diameter, said bushing also having a second lumen with a second lumen diameter; and

a thread having a free end section with a diameter smaller than said second lumen diameter, said free end section passing through said second lumen, said free end section having an end securely connected to said bushing, said thread also having a first length with a diameter smaller than said first lumen diameter and said thread having a second length with enlargements, said enlargements having a diameter larger than said first lumen diameter, wherein said bushing deforms under the application of a force caused by said thread when said first length is pulled through said first lumen.

2. The seal of claim 1, wherein said free end section is disposed sufficiently far into said second lumen that said end of said thread projects beyond a first bushing end, said end having a swelling transverse to a longitudinal axis of said thread which is larger than said second lumen diameter.

3. The seal of claim 2, wherein said swelling is formed in a thread material.

4. The seal of the claim 1, wherein said enlargements are disposed along said thread in a row at narrow separations from each other, and neighboring enlargements are rotated with respect to each other by 90°

.

5. The seal of claim 1, wherein said second length enlargements are formed in a thread material.

6. The seal of claim 1, wherein said thread and said bushing are manufactured from plastic.

7. The seal of claim 1, wherein said bushing and said thread are manufactured from an absorbable material.

8. The seal of claim 1, wherein at least one of said bushing and said thread have markings impervious to X-rays.