Modular tissue securement systems

• US 8,905,033 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2011
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Rousseau, Robert, Lindh, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US13/247,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20130074849A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 128/848, 606/219, 606/221, 606/222, 606/224, 606/225, 606/228
• US Class Current: 128/848
• 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 17/06 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 17/06066 Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations making needles B21G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06195 Apparatus or means for preparing the cut end of the suture thread to be attached to the needle, e.g. tipping to prevent brooming A61B17/06004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• 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 2017/06019 by means of a suture-receiving lateral eyelet machined in the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06057 Double-armed sutures, i.e. sutures having a needle attached to each end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0608 J-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for the securement of tissue and in particular for placement of a tongue base suspension fiber for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The system incorporates disposable connectors with releasable needles to facilitate the placement of fibers with minimal increase in suture site dilation or trauma.

Claims

1. A method of securing tissue comprising the steps of:

a) piercing the tissue at a first puncture point with a needle having proximal and distal ends is attached to a securement fiber, the fiber having a first end and a second end with the attachment of the needle to the fiber occurring at the first end of the fiber and the proximal end of the needle;

b) exiting the tissue at a second puncture point with the needle and securement fiber;

c) releasing the needle from the securement fiber while ensuring the first and second ends of the fiber remain outside of the tissue at the first and second puncture points;

d) passing a fiber passer from a first entry point through the tissue and out of the tissue at the first puncture point;

e) attaching the distal tip of the fiber passer with the second end of the fiber outside of the tissue at the first puncture point;

f) drawing the fiber attached to the fiber passer through the tissue at the first puncture point by pulling the fiber passer with attached fiber through and out of the first entry point;

g) releasing the fiber from the fiber passer;

h) passing the fiber passer from a second entry point through the tissue and out of the tissue at the second puncture point;

i) attaching the distal tip of the fiber passer with the first end of the fiber outside of the tissue at the second puncture point;

j) drawing the fiber attached to the fiber passer through the tissue at the second puncture point by pulling the fiber passer with attached fiber through and out of the second entry point; and

k) releasing the fiber from the fiber passer; and

l) attaching the fiber ends at the first and second entry points to at least one anchor or tying the fiber ends together.

2. The method claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of the fiber comprise releasably engageable connectors.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the connectors are selected from the group consisting of consisting of an eyelet, a barb, a hook and a male detent.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the connector is an eyelet.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the distal end of the fiber passer and the proximal end of the needle comprise releasably engagable detents.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the distal end of the fiber passer comprises a barb.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the distal end of the fiber passer comprises a hook.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is a tongue.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second puncture points occur on either side of the midline of the tongue.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first entry point of the fiber passer occurs at a submental incision at a first location and through the mylohoid and genioglossus of the tongue and out of the first puncture point.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the second entry point of the fiber passer occurs at the submental incision at a second location and through the mylohoid and genioglossus of the tongue and out of the second puncture point.