Connector device and method for surgically joining and securing flexible tissue repair members
First Claim
1. A connector for affixing at least one piece of flexible, elongated material at a surgical site, the connector comprising:
- an outer member having a longitudinal bore extending from a top end;
an inner member movable between an open position and a locked position in engagement with the outer member, the inner member having;
a central portion dimensioned to permit passage into the outer member bore;
a passage extending from a top end to an exit portal, the passage dimensioned to permit a piece of flexible material to pass therethrough, and a top portion having means for preventing a passage thereof into the outer member bore; and
means for retaining at least a portion of the inner member within the outer member bore when in the locked position, wherein an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer member are closely opposed;
wherein in the locked position, the passage is at least partially in engagement with the outer member and a serpentine path is provided for the piece of material comprising an insertion through the inner member passage, a proceeding generally upward between the inner member outer surface and the outer member inner surface, and an exit between the inner member top end and the outer member top end;
the serpentine path, the retention of the inner member portion within the outer member bore, and the dimensioning adapted to retain the piece of material in a desired position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector for joining sections of flexible material includes inner and outer members that snap fit together by passing the bore of the outer member over the inner member to capture and secure ends of flexible material such as sutures. The flexible material is fitted into a bore in the inner member and project out a side portal to pass between the shared or opposing inner and outer member surfaces. This serpentine pathway locks the flexible material in place. The invention further provides a delivery instrument to maintain the outer member in alignment with a receiving end of the inner member loaded with flexible material. The delivery instrument further includes cooperating elements for urging the outer member over the inner member to lock the flexible material in place.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A connector for affixing at least one piece of flexible, elongated material at a surgical site, the connector comprising:
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an outer member having a longitudinal bore extending from a top end; an inner member movable between an open position and a locked position in engagement with the outer member, the inner member having; a central portion dimensioned to permit passage into the outer member bore; a passage extending from a top end to an exit portal, the passage dimensioned to permit a piece of flexible material to pass therethrough, and a top portion having means for preventing a passage thereof into the outer member bore; and means for retaining at least a portion of the inner member within the outer member bore when in the locked position, wherein an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer member are closely opposed; wherein in the locked position, the passage is at least partially in engagement with the outer member and a serpentine path is provided for the piece of material comprising an insertion through the inner member passage, a proceeding generally upward between the inner member outer surface and the outer member inner surface, and an exit between the inner member top end and the outer member top end; the serpentine path, the retention of the inner member portion within the outer member bore, and the dimensioning adapted to retain the piece of material in a desired position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device for affixing at least one piece of flexible, elongated material at a surgical site, the device comprising a connector and a rod, the connector comprising:
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an outer member having a longitudinal bore extending from a top end; an inner member movable between an open position and a locked position in engagement with the outer member, the inner member having; a central portion dimensioned to permit passage into the outer member bore; and a passage extending from a top end to an exit portal, the passage dimensioned to permit a piece of flexible material to pass therethrough; and means for retaining at least a portion of the inner member within the outer member bore when in the locked position, wherein an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer member are closely opposed; wherein in the locked position a serpentine path is provided for the piece of material comprising an insertion through the inner member passage, a proceeding generally upward between the inner member outer surface and the outer member inner surface, and an exit between the inner member top end and the outer member top end; the serpentine path, the retention of the inner member portion within the outer member bore, and the dimensioning adapted to retain the piece of material in a desired position; the rod frangibly affixed to a bottom end of the inner member, the rod having a diameter adapted to slide within the outer member bore, the rod for retaining the inner member stationary while the outer member is moved upward to force the inner member into the locked position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A device for affixing at least one piece of flexible, elongated material at a surgical site, the device comprising a connector, a rod, and a support member, the connector comprising:
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an outer member having a longitudinal bore extending from a top end; an inner member movable between an open position and a locked position in engagement with the outer member, the inner member having; a central portion dimensioned to permit passage into the outer member bore; and a passage extending from a top end to an exit portal, the passage dimensioned to permit a piece of flexible material to pass therethrough; and means for retaining at least a portion of the inner member within the outer member bore when in the locked position, wherein an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer member are closely opposed; wherein in the locked position a serpentine path is provided for the piece of material comprising an insertion through the inner member passage, a proceeding generally upward between the inner member outer surface and the outer member inner surface, and an exit between the inner member top end and the outer member top end; the serpentine path, the retention of the inner member portion within the outer member bore, and the dimensioning adapted to retain the piece of material in a desired position; the rod frangibly affixed to a bottom end of the inner member, the rod having a diameter adapted to slide within the outer member bore, the rod for retaining the inner member stationary while the outer member is moved upward to place the inner member in the locked position; the support member having; a longitudinal bore extending from a top end to a bottom end and having a diameter dimensioned to permit the rod to slide therewithin; means adjacent the top end for supporting the outer member in a fixed location relative thereto; wherein a sliding of the support member upward relative to the rod achieves a movement of the inner member into the locked position. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for affixing a piece of flexible material at a surgical site, the method comprising the steps of:
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passing a piece of flexible material through a passage in a generally cylindrical inner member; inserting the inner member into a bore of a generally cylindrical outer member, the inner member dimensioned to closely engage the outer member bore, the flexible material proceeding between the inner member outer surface and the outer member inner surface to form a serpentine pathway; and retaining at least a portion of the inner member within the outer member bore to form a locked position therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. A connector for affixing at least one piece of flexible, elongated material at a surgical site, the connector comprising:
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a locking member; an outer member having means for receiving an engagement portion of the locking member, the locking member movable between a disengaged position and a locked position in cooperation with the receiving means; and means for causing a piece of flexible material to achieve a nonlinear path adjacent the locking member receiving means, wherein when the locking member is in the locked position the flexible material piece is retainable along the nonlinear path against movement between the locking member and the outer member, the causing means further adapted to permit a placement and a locking of the outer member and the locking member at a desired surgical site in a generally collinear fashion with the flexible material piece. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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32. A connector for affixing at least one piece of flexible, elongated material at a surgical site, the connector comprising:
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a locking member; an outer member having means for receiving an engagement portion of the locking member comprising a depression in the outer member adapted to receive a portion of the locking member in locking engagement therewith, the locking member movable between a disengaged position and a locked position in cooperation with the receiving means; and means for causing a piece of flexible material to achieve a nonlinear path adjacent the locking member receiving means, wherein when the locking member is in the locked position the flexible material piece is retainable along the nonlinear path against movement between the locking member and the outer member, the causing means further adapted to permit a placement and a locking of the outer member and the locking member at a desired surgical site in a generally collinear fashion with the flexible material piece.
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36. A connector for affixing at least one piece of flexible, elongated material at a surgical site, the connector comprising:
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a locking member having an engagement portion and a top portion and further having a passage therethrough dimensioned for permitting a piece of flexible material to pass therethrough, the passage having an outlet at least partially within the engagement portion; means for slidably engaging the flexible material piece with the locking member, for permitting a placement of the locking member at a desired surgical site in a generally collinear fashion with the flexible member piece; and an outer member having means for receiving the engagement portion of the locking member and for preventing a passage of the locking member top portion thereinto, the locking member movable between a disengaged position and a locked position in cooperation with the receiving means, the receiving means further having means for changing an orientation of the flexible material piece, for tightening the flexible material piece when the locking member is moved to the locked position, such a movement causing the passage outlet to be at least partially in engagement with the outer member, thereby compressing a section of the flexible material piece emerging from the passage outlet between the locking member and the outer member to achieve retention of the flexible member piece against movement. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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Specification