Slotted anchor device

• US 9,034,001 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teleflex Life Sciences III LLC
• Original Assignee: NeoTract, Inc. (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cheng, Floria, McLean, Matthew, Wei, Michael, Catanese, Joseph III, Lamson, Theodore C., Bright, Earl A. II
• Primary Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US12/512,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20100030263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,119 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606155-156, 606/213, 606215-217, 606/232, 606/300, 606/103, 241/15.R
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• 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 17/0625 the needle being specially adapted to interact with the manipulator, e.g. being ridged to snap fit in a hole of the manipulator A61B17/06109 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00792 Plastic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00805 Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0451 Cams or wedges holding the suture by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0488 : Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 : with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 : Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 : Prostate

Abstract

A slotted anchor that secures to a connector as part of an anchor assembly is disclosed. The slotted anchor includes a pair of spaced apart prongs which join together at a slot inception. The prongs are shaped and sized of a configuration and of a rigidity to substantially prevent deflection of the prongs. The prongs include inwardly facing protrusions that are configured to capture and deform the connector between the protrusions and prevent the connector from disengaging from the slotted anchor once engaged.

Claims

1. An anchor assembly for applying retractive pressure to tissue, the anchor assembly comprising:

a distal anchor, wherein the distal anchor includes a head portion that is connected to a tail portion via a connecting mid-section portion, wherein the tail portion is oriented transverse to the head portion;

a suture, wherein the suture is attachable and tensioned to the distal anchor; and

a slotted proximal anchor for securing a suture as part of a proximal end of an anchor assembly, the slotted anchor device comprising;

a tubular back end having a partially flattened cross-section; and

at least two pairs of spaced apart prongs extending from the back end of the slotted proximal anchor to a front end of the slotted proximal anchor, wherein the pairs of prongs join together at a slot inception, and wherein the prongs are are oriented to receive a tensioned portion of the suture;

wherein the prongs include inwardly facing protrusions that are configured to capture and deform the suture between the protrusions and prevent the suture from disengaging from the slotted proximal anchor once engaged; and

wherein inner surfaces of the prongs near the slot inception have a plurality of edges of engagement that deform and compress the suture between the prongs.

2. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the front end of the slotted proximal anchor faces the tensioned portion of the suture.

3. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein terminating ends of the prongs are linearly tapered inwardly to facilitate receiving a section of the connector.

4. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the spaced apart prongs commence at a slot inception that steps outwardly to a wider dimension, thereby defining a space between the prongs.

5. The anchor assembly of claim 4, wherein the space between the prongs of the slotted anchor has a dimensional interference, relative to the diameter of the connector.

6. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the inwardly protrusions comprise serrated teeth.

7. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the inwardly facing protrusions comprise barbs.

8. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner surfaces of the prongs are configured as corresponding inwardly facing U-shaped prongs, and wherein the inner surfaces of the prongs protrude into the connector.

9. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the prongs have a straight lead-in between terminating ends and a linear taper.

10. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the slotted proximal anchor is formed from a folded member.

11. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the slotted proximal anchor includes a seating portion spaced from the slot inception.

12. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot inception includes at least one barb.

13. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the prongs include terminal ends including inwardly directed protrusions.

14. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the prongs include interior planar surfaces leading to internal curved surfaces.

15. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the prongs include interior curved surfaces along their length.