Multiple loop tissue connector apparatus and methods

• US 7,963,973 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2005
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Thach, Cong, Doan, Nga, Nguyen, John D., Ho, Liem, Schaller, Laurent
• Primary Examiner(s): Erezo; Darwin P
• Application Number:
  US11/218,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20060004389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,118 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/153, 606/157, 606222-227
• US Class Current: 606/153
• 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 17/06004 Means for attaching suture to needle tipping A61B17/06195; connecting wire to other metallic objects B21F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/083 Clips, e.g. resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0443 the shaft being resilient and having a coiled or helical shape in the released state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06009 having additional means for releasably clamping the suture to the needle, e.g. actuating rod slideable within the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06057 Double-armed sutures, i.e. sutures having a needle attached to each end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06076 helically or spirally coiled for sutures A61B2017/06171
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1103 Approximator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1107 for blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1135 End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections Y-shaped blood vessel prostheses A61F2002/065
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0019 operated at only one temperature whilst inside or touching the human body, e.g. constrained in a non-operative shape during surgery, another temperature only occurring before the operation

Abstract

A tissue connector assembly comprising a multiple loop fastener movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a restraining device attached to the fastener for restraining the fastener in its open configuration provides for a self-closing, multiple suture fastener. A needle may be releasably attached to the fastener. A method for connecting tissues is also disclosed. The method includes inserting a fastener through tissue with the fastener being biased in an open position by a restraining device secured to the fastener, threading the fastener through more than one stitch, and removing the restraining device from the fastener.

Claims

1. A method for connecting multiple portions of material, at least one of which comprises tissue, comprising:

threading a fastener having a first needle attached to a first end portion of the fastener, a second needle attached to a second end portion of the fastener and a restraining device coupled to the fastener for restraining the fastener towards an open configuration, through a predetermined number of stitches through the multiple portions of material, at least one of which comprises tissue;

restraining the fastener towards the open configuration while inserting the fastener through the material; and

allowing the fastener to return to a closed configuration and secure a portion of the material therein with the predetermined stitches; and

wherein at least one of said first needle and said second needle is releasably attached to said fastener through a suture.

2. The method of claim 1 including maintaining the fastener in the open configuration with a locking device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the fastener is allowed to return to the closed configuration by disengaging the locking device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first or second needle is coupled to the restraining device and the restraining device is disengaged by decoupling the coupled needle from the restraining device.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising a spring biasing the fastener to the open configuration.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the fastener is inserted through a layer of tissue and a layer of graft material.

7. A method for connecting multiple portions of material, at least one of which comprises tissue, comprising:

threading a fastener through a predetermined number of stitches through the multiple portions of material wherein the fastener has a restraining device coupled to the fastener for restraining the fastener towards an open configuration, wherein the restraining device comprises a lock assembly engaging a coil surrounding at least a portion of the fastener and wherein engagement of the lock with the coil biases the fastener in the open configuration;

restraining the fastener towards the open configuration while inserting the fastener through the material; and

allowing the fastener to return to a closed configuration and secure a portion of the material therein with the predetermined stitches.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the fastener is allowed to return to the closed configuration by disengaging the lock assembly.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein a needle is coupled to the restraining device and the restraining device is disengaged by decoupling the coupled needle from the restraining device.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the fastener is inserted through a layer of tissue and a layer of graft material.