Suture fasteners and methods of use
First Claim
1. A method for securing two or more suture strands together, comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one fastening element comprised of a shape-recovery material, wherein the element is in a tensioned position for engaging the suture strands while allowing sliding of the element relative to the suture strands, and wherein the element comprises a coil where each turn of the coil includes two or more suture retention loops;
engaging the suture strands with the element, wherein the engaging step comprises positioning the suture strands along a path through at least a portion of the element, and wherein positioning includes positioning the suture strands through two or more suture retention loops; and
transitioning the element to a relaxed shape-recovery position wherein the strands are in a fixed position relative to the element or to each other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides apparatuses, systems, methods and kits for fastening sutures or similar devices used in medical surgical procedures. In particular, the present invention is suitable for use with percutaneous or minimally invasive procedures in which sutures are placed with catheter-based devices wherein the tying of knots is particularly challenging. Suture fasteners of the present invention provide for fastening the sutures together in a fixed position at any location along the suture strands. In addition, the fasteners are adjustable to allow repositioning of the fastener after placement to a new desired location along the suture strands. Similarly, such fasteners may be used to hold a single suture strand for various applications.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for securing two or more suture strands together, comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one fastening element comprised of a shape-recovery material, wherein the element is in a tensioned position for engaging the suture strands while allowing sliding of the element relative to the suture strands, and wherein the element comprises a coil where each turn of the coil includes two or more suture retention loops; engaging the suture strands with the element, wherein the engaging step comprises positioning the suture strands along a path through at least a portion of the element, and wherein positioning includes positioning the suture strands through two or more suture retention loops; and transitioning the element to a relaxed shape-recovery position wherein the strands are in a fixed position relative to the element or to each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for securing two or more suture strands together, comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one fastening element comprised of a shape-recovery material, wherein the element is in a tensioned position for engaging the suture strands while allowing sliding of the element relative to the suture strands, wherein the element comprises an elongate wire, ribbon, rod, filament, shaft, mesh or woven sheet having two or more apertures along its length; engaging the suture strands with the element, wherein the engaging step comprises positioning the suture strands along a path through at least a portion of the element, wherein positioning includes positioning the suture strands through at least two apertures and positioning the suture strands through the apertures in a stitching fashion; and transitioning the element to a relaxed shape-recovery position wherein the strands are in a fixed position relative to the element or to each other. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for securing two or more suture strands together, comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one fastening element comprised of a shape-recovery material, wherein the element is in a tensioned position for engaging the suture strands while allowing sliding of the element relative to the suture strands, wherein the element comprises an elongate wire, ribbon, rod, filament or shaft; engaging the suture strands with the element; and transitioning the element to a relaxed shape-recovery position wherein the strands are in a fixed position relative to the element or to each other, the engaging step comprising positioning the suture strands near at least two elements so that the elements capture the suture strands during the transitioning step by interlocking with each other. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for securing two or more suture strands together, comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one fastening element comprised of a shape-recovery material, wherein the element is in a tensioned position for engaging the suture strands while allowing sliding of the element relative to the suture strands, wherein the element has a first portion having at least one first aperture and a second portion having at least one second aperture wherein the at least one first aperture is concentrically aligned with at least one second aperture; engaging the suture strands with the element, wherein the engaging step comprises positioning the suture strands along a path through at least a portion of the element, wherein positioning comprising positioning the suture strands through at least one first aperture and at least one second aperture and positioning the suture strands through apertures in a stitching fashion; and transitioning the element to a relaxed shape-recovery position wherein the strands are in a fixed position relative to the element or to each other. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification