Modular tissue securement systems

• US 9,592,046 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2014
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• 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:
  US14/291,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20140261452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 128/848, 606/219, 606/221, 606/222, 606/224, 606/225, 606/228
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• 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 lateral opening for attaching suture to suture anchor A61B2017/0414
• 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 system for the securement of tissue comprising:

a) a suture comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end further comprising a distal connector and the proximal end further comprising a proximal connector;

b) a needle comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end further comprising a tissue piercing surface and the proximal end comprising a connector, the connector being releasably engageable with the distal connector of the suture; and

c) a linear tissue passer comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end directly releasably engageable with the distal and proximal connectors of the suture.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein distal or proximal connectors of the suture is selected form the group of connectors consisting of an eyelet, a barb, a hook and a male detent.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the connectors of the suture is a conical barb or a flat barb.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector of the needle is selected from the group consisting of an eyelet, a barb, a hook and a male detent.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the barb is a conical barb or flat barb.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the tissue passer comprises a geometry selected form the group consisting of an eyelet, a barb, a hook, and a male detent.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal and proximal suture connectors are eyelets, the proximal end of the needle and the distal end of the tissue passer comprises male detents releasably engageable with the eyelets of the suture.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the distal end of the tissue passer comprises a barb releasably engageable with the eyelets of the suture.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the distal end of the tissue passer comprises a hook releasably engageable with the eyelets of the suture.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the suture is a multifilament suture.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal or proximal connectors of the suture is selected from the group of connectors consisting of flat barbs, conical barbs and magnets.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the distal or proximal connectors of the suture are eyelets formed by bending back an end of the suture and knotting the end of the suture to form the eyelet.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein one or both of the distal or proximal connectors of the multifilament suture are eyelets formed by bending back an end of the multifilament suture and splicing the end into and among the filaments of the suture at a distance sufficient from the end of the suture to form the eyelet.