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Publication Number
US-10786242-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A shapeable passer for surgical cable or suture is made from a flexible tubular extrusion which includes at least one lumen arranged to receive the leading end of a surgical cable or suture, and at least one lumen arranged to contain a malleable stiffener element. The lumens and stiffener element are arranged parallel to each other and lengthwise along longitudinal axis of the extrusion, such that the malleable stiffener element enables the malleable portion of the passer to be shaped as desired. The leading ends of the lumens are preferably sealed, capped or tipped, while the trailing ends of the lumens arranged to receive the surgical cables or sutures are preferably flared to facilitate manual insertion of the cables or sutures.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a shapeable passer for surgical cable or suture. The passer includes at least one surgical cable or suture with a leading end and a trailing end, and a flexible tubular extrusion with first and second lumens arranged parallel to each other along a longitudinal axis so that the leading end of the surgical cable or suture can be inserted into or withdrawn from the first and second lumens.
A third lumen separate and distinct from the first and second lumens contains one or more malleable stiffener elements, such that at least a portion of the passer is malleable. The malleable stiffener elements can be intraoperatively shaped into multiple possible positions by manually applying a bending force, and retain the shape when the bending force is removed, with the third lumen arranged between the first and second lumens.
The leading end of the third lumen is sealed, capped or tipped, while the trailing ends of the first and second lumens are open and flared to facilitate manual insertion of the leading end of the surgical cable or suture. The disclosed embodiments also include a fixed-in-place malleable stiffener element within the third lumen, where the malleable stiffener wire renders at least a portion of the passer malleable.
The disclosure addresses the need for a surgical passer that can be shaped intraoperatively to route surgical cable or suture while maintaining the routed shape after manual bending. It also addresses passing a cable or suture around or through anatomical or implant structures and then removing the passer after routing, with emphasis on a minimally invasive, low-bulk, disposable/sterilizable use.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies two independent claims, each directed to a shapeable passer comprising a flexible tubular extrusion with multiple lumens and an intraoperatively shape-retaining malleable stiffener element arranged in a separate third lumen between first and second lumens.
Shapeable passer with parallel lumens and malleable stiffener in a third lumen
A shapeable passer including at least one surgical cable or suture with leading and trailing ends, a flexible tubular extrusion having first and second lumens arranged parallel to each other along a longitudinal axis so the leading end of the surgical cable or suture can be inserted into or withdrawn from the first and second lumens, and a third lumen separate and distinct from all other lumens and arranged between the first and second lumens containing one or more malleable stiffener elements; the malleable stiffener elements can be intraoperatively shaped into any of multiple possible positions by manually applying a bending force and retain the shape when the bending force is removed; the leading end of the third lumen is sealed, capped or tipped; and the trailing ends of the first and second lumens are open and flared to facilitate manual insertion of the leading end of the surgical cable or suture.
Shapeable passer with fixed malleable stiffener wire in a distinct third lumen
A shapeable passer including at least one surgical cable or suture with leading and trailing ends, a flexible tubular extrusion having first and second lumens arranged such that the leading ends of respective surgical cables or sutures can be inserted into or withdrawn from the first and second lumens, and a third lumen separate and distinct from all other lumens containing a malleable stiffener wire fixed in place within the third lumen; the malleable stiffener wire when contained within the third lumen rendering at least a portion of the passer malleable; the malleable portion can be intraoperatively shaped into any of multiple possible positions by manually bending the malleable portion, with shape maintained due to the presence of the malleable stiffener wire; each lumen has a leading end and a trailing end with the leading ends sealed, capped or tipped; and the trailing ends of the first and second lumens being open and flared to facilitate manual insertion of the leading ends of the surgical cables into the first and second lumens.
Across the two independent claims, the core coverage is a flexible tubular extrusion with first and second lumens for insertion/withdrawal of a surgical cable or suture, plus a separate third lumen between them that houses a malleable stiffener element to enable intraoperative shaping into multiple positions and retention of the bent shape after manual bending.
Stated Advantages
Minimally invasive, low-bulk use.
Disposable/sterilizable use.
Documented Applications
Guiding and routing a surgical cable or suture around or through anatomical or implant structures, followed by removing the passer after routing.
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