Integrally formed suture and suture lock

• US 6,015,428 A
• Filed: 06/03/1998
• Issued: 01/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ancel Surgical R & D, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Anthony C. Pagedas
• Inventors: Pagedas, Anthony C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): HO, TAN-UYEN THI
• Application Number:
  US09/089,916
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 606/230, 606/231, 606/232, 606/233, 606/139
• US Class Current: 606/232
• 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 17/0487 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 17/0491 Sewing machines for surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/062 Needle manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0451 Cams or wedges holding the suture by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0461 with features cooperating with special features on the suture, e.g. protrusions on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0462 One way system, i.e. also tensioning the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs

Abstract

A molded plastic one-piece self adjusting self locking suture lock to be used with surgical suture thread and suture needle, said self adjusting self locking suture lock comprising: a body having a front side, a back side, a first edge, a thread retaining opening, and a stitch lock opening; the thread retaining opening having a thread opening slightly smaller in diameter than said suture thread and a slot extending outwardly from said thread opening to said first edge. The stitch lock opening being right cylindrical and having an outer edge on said front side. The body having a plurality of integral tongues connected to said outer edge of the stitch lock opening near said front side and extending diametrically inward at an angle from said front side toward said back side. The tongues being of sufficient dimension and number to occupy substantially the entire circumference of the outer edge. Each of said tongues having a conical sectional shape such that the plurality of tongues connected near the outer edge of the front side form a conical structure having an approach opening on this front side larger than an exit opening on the back side.

Claims

1. A self adjusting self locking suture lock to be used with surgical suture thread and suture needle, said self adjusting self locking suture lock comprising a body having a front side, a back side, a first edge, a thread retaining opening, and a stitch lock opening;

the thread retaining opening having a thread opening slightly smaller in diameter than said suture thread and a slot extending outwardly from said thread opening to said first edge;

the stitch lock opening having mounted therein an elastic plug capable of creating sufficient frictional pressure on said suture material to secure a stitch.

2. The self-adjusting self-locking suture lock holder of claim 1 including at least one elastic plug having a predetermined color.

3. A suture thread having at least one crimpable clip structure contained therein and wherein the crimpable clip structure defines an opening arranged to receive a transversely disposed thread and crimpable upon said thread.

4. The clip structure of claim 3 wherein said crimpable clip structure comprises an enclosed ring configuration.

5. The clip structure of claim 4 wherein the ring configuration is of open configuration including oppositely disposed laterally extending integral horns, said horns being capable of surrounding a portion of said thread and crimpable into secured relationship therewith.

6. The clip structure of claim 4, wherein said ring is embedded within the confines of said thread.

7. The clip structure of claim 4, wherein said ring is independent of said thread and having oppositely disposed portions secured to and linking separate portions of said thread.