Suture cutter

• US 7,905,892 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2004
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scarab Technology Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Nobles Medical Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Decker, Steven E., Nobles, Anthony A., Peterson, Rod T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho; (Jackie) Tan-Uyen T
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US10/842,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20040210238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,503 Days
• Field of Search: 606/138, 606/232, 606/139, 606/144, 606/148
• US Class Current: 606/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0467 Instruments for cutting sutures surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0474 Knot pushers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0477 with pre-tied sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0619 thermoplastic, e.g. for bonding, welding, fusing or cutting the suture by melting it suture cutters A61B17/0467; ultrasonic cutters A61B17/320068; electrically heated instruments A61B18/08

Abstract

Suture cutter embodiments include elements for cutting back the leads of a suture after the suture has been tied into a knot, e.g., as a result of drawing tissue portions together. The suture cutter may include mechanisms which can be used to push and position a knot, so that a single device may be used to both push a knot and trim the excess material therefrom.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a receptacle for juxtaposing portions of a suture to be connected to each other;

a first heating element positioned to apply heat to the juxtaposed suture portions such that the juxtaposed suture portions are fastened together;

a second heating element positioned near the first heating element to sever at least one suture end portion, the second heating element being configured for operation independent from the first heating element; and

a collar positioned at least partially within the receptacle and configured to surround the juxtaposed suture portions, said first heating element disposed to apply heat to said collar;

wherein said first heating element fuses the collar to the suture portions.