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Publication Number
US-11839366-B2
Publication Date
2023-12-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention describes a bio-medically compatible gripping device capable of radial collapse in accordance with the shrinkage of a nylon or other polymeric material cored surgical cable undergoing tension while maintaining a firm grip for prolonged periods of time. It provides a gripping device capable of maintaining a non-damaging hold on the outer surface of a slippery delicate cable under high tension for a sufficient time in which the healing process can occur.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a suture anchor for receiving a single suture in a central void, where the anchor body includes a cylindrical wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The cylindrical wall is configured to be radial expandable and radially collapsible so that the inner surface moves radially outward to increase the size of the central void and moves radially inward to decrease the size of the central void. When a portion of the single suture is positioned in the central void and the cylindrical wall is radially collapsed onto the portion of the single suture, the inner surface contacts and retains the suture.
The anchor is structured so that the inner surface contacts each of nine evenly distributed regions about the outer suture circumference. This contact is configured to impart radially inward compression on the portion of the single suture about the outer suture circumference to retain the single suture therein. The inner surface includes multiple grooves that are spaced about a longitudinal axis of the central void and extend between a first end and a second end of the body, forming a set of inside fingers.
The outer surface includes a set of outside fingers, where each outside finger includes a hinge with a hinge axis parallel to the central axis of the single suture. The disclosed concept is a high-tension, biocompatible gripping anchor using radially compressible, star-shaped collet-like structure formed by the inside and outside finger geometries and the cylindrical wall radial collapse to provide firm retention of delicate braided suture material without cutting or fraying. The document further describes a retention collar and deployment tool embodiments that support maintaining suture tension and guiding placement.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims disclosed in the provided claim set relate to a suture anchor with a radially expandable and radially collapsible cylindrical wall defining a central void for a single suture, and to related structural and functional refinements that include grooves forming inside fingers, outside fingers with hinge axes parallel to the suture axis, and collar and deployment-tool configurations. The coverage centers on the retention mechanism that compresses evenly distributed regions of a single suture when the body is radially collapsed, and on structural features that shape and guide the compression across the suture circumference.
Radially collapsible central void for a single suture
A body having a cylindrical wall whose inner surface defines a central void to receive a single suture, where the cylindrical wall is configured to be radial expandable and radially collapsible so the inner surface moves radially outward to increase the size of the central void to receive the single suture and moves radially inward to decrease the size of the central void.
Nine-region circumferential contact and radially inward compression retention
When a portion of the single suture is in the central void and the cylindrical wall is radially collapsed onto the portion of the single suture, the inner surface contacts each of nine regions evenly distributed about the outer suture circumference and imparts radially inward compression on the portion of the single suture about the outer suture circumference to retain the single suture therein.
Inside fingers formed by multiple grooves along the body
The inner surface includes multiple grooves spaced about a longitudinal axis of the central void, each groove extending between the first end and the second end of the body, wherein the multiple grooves form a set of inside fingers.
Outside fingers with hinge axes parallel to the suture axis
The outer surface includes a set of outside fingers, wherein each outside finger includes a hinge with a hinge axis parallel to the central axis of the single suture.
Quantified pull-out strength over limited suture area
The suture anchor is configured to provide a pull-out strength greater than or equal to 2500 psi over an area of the suture that is 0.05 square inches or less.
Minimum outside finger count
The suture anchor includes outside fingers comprising at least 7 radial fingers.
Retaining collar for compressive radial finger array
A retaining collar is configured to compress a body end using a radial arrangement of compressive fingers to apply radial compression to a single suture positioned in a central void when the body is placed in the retaining collar.
Collar channel transverse dimension constraint at the first end
A retaining collar has a channel whose smaller maximum transverse dimension at the collar first end is smaller than the maximum transverse dimension of the body outer surface at the body first end.
Deployment tool with scissor-like forks, tension adjustment, and tension retaining member
A deployment tool includes scissor-like upper and lower forked members, where the lower forked member secures and positions the anchor, an auxiliary lever with a positioning conduit adjusts a tension level of a single suture, and a tension retaining member maintains a first level of tension on the single suture.
Across the disclosed claim coverage, retention is achieved by a radially collapsible body that compresses a single suture by contacting nine evenly distributed circumferential regions and imparting radially inward compression. Structural features including grooves forming inside fingers and outside hinged fingers with a hinge axis parallel to the suture axis shape the compression, while dependent refinements add quantified pull-out strength and finger count, collar-based radial compression constraints, and deployment-tool elements for securing/positioning and tension level maintenance.
Stated Advantages
Firm non-damaging grip of delicate braided fibers by imparting radially inward compression through controlled radial collapse and circumferential contact.
Prevents cutting or fraying of delicate fibers while maintaining retention under tension.
Quantified retention goal with pull-out strength greater than or equal to 2500 psi over an area of the suture that is 0.05 square inches or less.
Documented Applications
Bone repair and cerclage-style attachment using described deployment/cerclage cartridge and bone aperture embodiments for fractured bone fragments.
Attachment variations involving tabbed or attachment features and embodiments including a washer.
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