Suture locking device

• US 20010051816A1
• Filed: 06/18/2001
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Herbert E. Schwartz, John Margetts, Robert-Jan Enzerink, Thomas C. May
• Original Assignee: Herbert E. Schwartz, John Margetts, Robert-Jan Enzerink, Thomas C. May
• Inventors: Schwartz, Herbert E., Enzerink, Robert-Jan, May, Thomas C., Margetts, John
• Granted Patent: US 6,432,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/232
• 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 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0448 Additional elements on or 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 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0488 Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks for applying suture anchors A61B2017/0409; for applying wound clamps A61B17/10; for applying ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/128

Abstract

The invention disclosed is a device for locking a suture in place without the need for tying knots once the suture is placed within tissue. The device comprises a locking ring, the locking ring comprising a series of laminated sheets having an aperture formed to allow the suture to pass when pulled in a first direction, but formed to lock the suture in place when the suture is pulled in an opposite direction.

Claims

1. A locking device for locking a suture in place comprising a locking ring, the locking ring comprising a series of laminated sheets having an aperture formed to allow the suture to pass when pulled in a first direction, but formed to lock the suture in place when the suture is pulled in an opposite direction.

2. The device of

claim 1

wherein the locking ring is affixed to an anchor, the anchor having a cannula formed to allow the suture to pass therethrough.

3. The device of

claim 1

wherein the laminated sheets are circular, the locking ring is tubular, and the laminated sheets are bonded to the locking ring at their circumference.

4. The device of

claim 3

wherein multiple radial slits are formed in each laminated sheet, the intersection of the slits defining the aperture in each sheet.

5. A device for locking a suture in place, comprising:

an anchor having a cannula through which the suture extends, the anchor further comprising a rear edge and a front edge;

a series of substantially parallel laminated sheets affixed to the anchor, each sheet having a circumference and each sheet connected to its adjacent sheet along its circumference, the series of laminated sheets having an aperture formed to allow the suture to pass when pulled in a first direction, but formed to lock the suture in place when the suture is pulled in an opposite direction.

6. The device of

claim 6

wherein the anchor comprises a biodegradable material.

7. A method for locking a suture in place against a portion of tissue, the method comprising:

providing a first locking device, the first locking device comprising a locking ring having a tissue facing side and an opposite side, the locking ring comprising a hollow tube having series of substantially parallel laminated sheets affixed therein, the series of laminated sheets having an aperture formed to lock the suture in place when pulled from the tissue facing side, but formed to allow the suture to pass when the suture is pulled from the opposite side.

extending a first end of the suture from a first side of tissue, and locking the first end of the suture in place with the first locking device.

8. The method of 7 wherein the first end of the suture is locked in place by extending the first end of the suture through the aperture from the tissue facing side to the opposite side.

9. The method of 8 further comprising the step of:

extending a second end of the suture through the aperture from the tissue facing side to the opposite side of the first locking device.

10. The method of 9 further comprising the steps of:

extending a second end of the suture from a second side of the tissue, and locking the second end of the suture in place with a second locking device.