System and method for providing a bone cerclage
Inventors
Denard, Patrick Joel • Dreyfuss, Peter • Rolenc, Steven William • Petry, Andrew Christian
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12402926-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for providing a bone cerclage according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a suture passer including a shaft. The shaft includes a passageway and a slot leading to the passageway. The slot has a variable width along a length of the passageway. A method is also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for providing a bone cerclage using a suture passer that includes a shaft with an internal passageway and a slot leading to the passageway. The passageway extends internally to the shaft between an entrance and an exit distal to the entrance, and the slot includes a first width adjacent the entrance and a second width along the main portion, with the first width greater than the second width.
A sheath and a strand of suture are provided such that the strand of suture is attached to the sheath and projects from the sheath. The length of the sheath is longer than a length of the passageway, and the passageway is sized so as to allow the sheath to slide within the passageway from the entrance to the exit, enabling delivery of the bone cerclage.
In an additional configuration, an exit of the passageway is spaced-apart proximally from a distal end of the shaft, and the passageway does not extend within a section of the shaft between the exit and the distal end. The section between the exit and the distal end is bendable such that the section holds a bent shape different from an original shape of the section, allowing the shaft to accommodate curvature while still providing the entrance-to-exit passageway functionality for sheath and suture passage.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. The claims center on a bone cerclage delivery system using a suture passer with a shaft having an internal passageway and a slot with variable widths, together with a sheath carrying an attached projecting strand of suture and spatial and geometry constraints for sheath movement and passageway termination.
Variable-width slot leading to internal passageway for sheath sliding
A suture passer including a shaft, wherein the shaft includes a passageway and a slot leading to the passageway, wherein the passageway extends internally to the shaft between an entrance and an exit distal to the entrance, wherein the passageway includes a main portion between the entrance and the exit, wherein the slot includes a first width adjacent the entrance and a second width along the main portion, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width; and a sheath and a strand of suture, wherein the strand of suture is attached to the sheath and projects from the sheath, wherein a length of the sheath is longer than a length of the passageway, and wherein the passageway is sized so as to allow the sheath to slide within the passageway from the entrance to the exit.
Bendable distal shaft section with non-extending passageway
A suture passer including a shaft, wherein the shaft includes a passageway and a slot leading to the passageway, wherein the slot has a variable width along a length of the passageway; and a sheath and a strand of suture, wherein the strand of suture is attached to the sheath and projects from the sheath, wherein a length of the sheath is longer than a length of the passageway, wherein an exit of the passageway is spaced-apart proximally from a distal end of the shaft, wherein the passageway does not extend within a section of the shaft between the exit of the passageway and the distal end of the shaft, and wherein the section of the shaft between the exit of the passageway and the distal end of the shaft is bendable such that the section holds a bent shape different from an original shape of the section.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage requires a suture passer shaft with a passageway and a slot having variable width, and a sheath with an attached projecting suture strand whose length is longer than the passageway so the sheath can slide from the entrance to the exit. The second independent claim further adds an exit spaced proximally from a distal end, a passageway that does not extend into a distal shaft section, and a bendable shaft section configured to hold a bent shape different from an original shape.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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