Suture tensioning device

• US 7,326,222 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Inventors: Dreyfuss, Peter J., Schmieding, Reinhold, Romeo, Anthony A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Anhtuan T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/426,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20030208210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,741 Days
• Field of Search: 623/13.13, 606/60, 606/53, 606/88, 606/74, 606/72, 606/144, 606/148, 606/232, 606/103, 140/93.6, 140/105, 140/106, 140/123.5, 140/123.6
• US Class Current: 606/144
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/82 for bone cerclage apparatus for manipulating wires or straps A61B17/8861; wires, bands or straps other than cerclage A61B17/842
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures

Abstract

A device for tensioning suture which includes two telescopically slidable cannulated tubes. An adjustment wheel is coupled to and turns a threaded post which is threadingly engaged with the proximal end of one of the slidable tubes. A suture end is passed through the cannulated tubes of the suture tensioning device and secured to the adjustment wheel. Rotating the adjustment wheel counterclockwise increases the overall length of the suture tensioning device and increases tension on the suture.

Claims

1. A suture tensioning device, comprising:

a first cannulated tube having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner surface;

a second cannulated tube telescopically slidable within the first cannulated tube so that the second cannulated tube non-rotatably telescopes relative to the first cannulated tube, the second cannulated tube having an outer tubular surface;

a spring compressibly disposed between the first cannulated tube and the second cannulated tube for biasing the tubes apart, the spring extending between the inner surface of the first cannulated tube and the outer tubular surface of the second cannulated tube;

a screw having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the screw being threadingly engaged with the proximal end of the first cannulated tube, the proximal end of the screw being engaged with an adjustment device adapted to be coupled to an end of a strand of suture passing through the first and second cannulated tubes, such that rotation of the screw adjusts overall length of the device, thereby adjusting suture tension; and

a thumb pad disposed between the most proximal end of the first cannulated tube and the adjustment device, for preventing movement of the first cannulated tube as the screw is rotated.

2. The suture tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment device is a wheel.

3. The suture tensioning device of claim 1, further comprising a scale provided at the distal end of the second cannulated tube for indicating the suture tension as strand of suture threaded through the first cannulated tube.

4. The suture tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the suture comprises a bioabsorbable material.

5. The suture tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the suture comprises wire.

6. A suture tensioning device, comprising:

a first cannulated tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface;

a second cannulated tube telescopically slidable within the first cannulated tube so that the second cannulated tube non-rotatably telescopes relative to the first cannulated tube, the second cannulated tube having an outer tubular surface;

a spring compressibly disposed between the first cannula ted tube and the second cannulated tube for biasing the tubes apart, the spring extending between the inner surface of the first cannulated tube and the outer tubular surface of the second cannulated tube;

a screw having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the screw being threadingly engaged with the proximal end of the first cannulated tube, the proximal end of the screw being engaged with an adjustment wheel having a suture post and a plurality of cleats for securing an end of a strand of suture passing through the first and second cannulated tubes, such that rotation of the screw adjusts overall length of the device, thereby adjusting suture tension; and

a thumb pad coupled to the first cannulated tube for preventing rotation of the first cannulated tube as the adjustment wheel is rotated.