Suture support assembly

• US 6,706,047 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2001
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EMI (Entegris Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: EMI (Entegris Incorporated)
• Inventors: Trout, Hugh H., Tanner, Howard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Calvert, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoey, Alissa L
• Application Number:
  US09/783,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20010053924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/144, 606/148, 606/143, 606/147, 606/232, 606/222, 606/223, 606/224, 606/225, 606/226, 606/227, 606/103, 606/104, 606/113
• US Class Current: 606/139
• 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

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a suture support assembly for use during a surgical procedure. The suture support assembly in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated main body portion, and a proximal end portion having a passageway formed therein for receiving at least one suture therein. The proximal end portion and at least a portion of the elongated main body portion are adapted to be located within a vessel during the surgical procedure. The suture support assembly may be inserted into the vessel via an axillary incision, a brachial incision, or a femoral or a common iliac arteriotomy, and may be used in connection with the repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Claims

1. A suture support assembly for use during a surgical procedure, said suture assembly comprising:

an elongated main body having a proximal end and a distal end; and

the proximal end having a hollow passageway formed therein for receiving a suture therein, the hollow passageway extending from a free end portion located at the proximal end to an opening located opposite to the free end portion positioned below the surgical procedure and above the distal end.

2. The suture support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said proximal end portion and at least a portion of said elongated main body portion are adapted to be located within a vessel during the surgical procedure.

3. The suture support assembly according to claim 2, wherein said suture support assembly is inserted into the vessel via an axillary incision, a brachial incision, or a femoral or a common iliac arteriotomy.

4. The suture support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said suture support assembly is used in connection with the repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

5. The suture support assembly according to claim 1, wherein a first end of said passageway terminates at a free end portion of said proximal end portion.

6. The suture support assembly according to claim 5, wherein said free end portion of said proximal end portion includes rounded edges.

7. The suture support assembly according to claim 5, wherein a second end of said passageway terminates at an opening in said proximal end portion, wherein said opening is located at an opposite end from said free end portion of said proximal end portion.

8. The suture support assembly according to claim 7, wherein said opening at said opposite end of said proximal end portion is located at a point sufficiently below a location where said surgical procedure is being performed.

9. The suture support assembly according to claim 7, wherein the interior of said proximal end portion includes an angled surface adjacent to said opening which directs said at least one suture toward said opening.

10. The suture support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said suture support assembly is used to support a surgical component during a surgical procedure.

11. The suture support assembly according to claim 10, wherein said at least one suture and at least one suture support assembly are used in combination to support said surgical component in a desired location within the vessel.

12. The suture support assembly according to claim 11, wherein a separator assembly is used in connection with said at least one suture and said at least one suture support assembly.

13. A suture support assembly for use during a surgical procedure comprising:

a solid elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a hollow passageway extending from a free end portion located at the proximal end to an opening located opposite to the free end portion positioned below the surgical procedure and above the distal end, wherein the hollow passageway accommodates a suture.

14. The suture support assembly of claim 13, wherein the free end portion has rounded edges.

15. The suture support assembly of claim 13, wherein the proximal end of the elongated body is adapted to be located within a vessel during the surgical procedure.

16. The suture support assembly of claim 13, wherein the suture support assembly is used in connection with the repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

17. The suture support assembly of claim 13, wherein the second opening is angled to direct the suture toward the free end portion.