Single-tailed suturing method

• US 7,285,124 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Foerster, Seth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAYES, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US10/750,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20040162579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/148, 606/224, 606/228
• 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 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0485 Devices or means, e.g. loops, for capturing the suture thread and threading it through an opening of a suturing instrument or needle eyelet
• 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 17/06 Needles ; Sutures; Needle-suture combinations; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials puncturing needles A61B17/34; hypodermic needles A61M5/32 ; sewing needles D05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06028 by means of a cylindrical longitudinal blind bore machined at the suture-receiving end of the needle, e.g. opposite to needle tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06185 hollow or tubular

Abstract

A suture loop is formed in a hollow braided suture by feeding one end of a length of suture through a part in the braid of the suture and into the inner lumen formed by the hollow braid. The braided configuration of the suture allows it to be expanded in diameter by pushing and reduced in diameter by pulling. Said end of suture is passed continuously through said inner lumen forming a loop of suture with a single tail. The loop may be tightened by pulling on said first end of the suture while pushing on said outer hollow braid. The loop may be locked by extending or pulling on said outer hollow braid to reduce its diameter and lock it down around said first end of the suture.

Claims

1. A method for performing an arthroscopic surgery using a hollow braided suture, said suture having an outer cylindrical wall and a lumen extending therethrough, said suture further comprising a free proximal end portion, a loop, and a standing end portion, said method comprising:

selecting a tissue to move;

inserting a cannula through a patient'"'"'s skin;

attaching the suture to the tissue;

moving the tissue by pulling on the free proximal end portion, of the suture, said suture extending though said cannula;

wherein said loop is formed by threading a length of suture through the lumen of said standing end portion, and wherein said step of attaching the suture to the tissue comprises pulling on said free proximal end portion until said tissue is securely locked by said loop.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said tissue is a ligament.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said surgery is a rotator cuff surgery.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising forming the loop through a surgically-created opening in said tissue.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising forming said loop through a first tissue and a second tissue, and moving at least one of said first and second tissues towards one another.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the attaching step is performed after the step of inserting.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said standing end portion comprises an expanded configuration allowing the diameter of the loop to be adjusted.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said standing end portion comprises a compressed configuration when said free proximal end is pulled, whereby said suture becomes locked on said tissue.

9. The method of claim 1 comprising cutting a portion of the suture following said step of moving.