Surgical suture tensioning and labeling
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12727877-B2
Publication Date
2026-09-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of managing suture deployment onto a target organ tissue involves applying a label to a first portion of a first suture extending externally from a target organ, the first suture having a second portion deployed onto the target organ tissue within the target organ. The method further involves attaching a suture tab to the first portion or another portion of the first suture extending externally from the target organ, and applying tension to the first suture, wherein applying tension to the first suture comprises coupling the first suture to a tension guide and determining whether the tension is within a target range.
Core Innovation
The disclosed subject matter provides methods and devices for identifying, managing, and individually tensioning sutures deployed on target organ tissue, particularly mitral valve leaflets. A spring-loaded tension guide includes a tubular housing with a transparent sidewall, an elongate rod, a spring, a distal suture-engagement hook, and visual marker bands identifying respective tension ranges. The position of a stopper disc tension marker relative to the bands provides a visual tension indication through the transparent housing.
The method uses the tension guide to increase tension in a suture deployed onto target organ tissue and to determine whether the tension is within a target range. The tension guide serves to assess tissue response and avoid over-tensioning, while visually distinguishing sutures with color labels and handling them with notched suture tabs during tension adjustment. The specific problem framed in the background section is not explicitly described in patent.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims identify one independent claim, claim 1, directed to a method of managing suture deployment onto target organ tissue, comprising three inventive features.
Spring-loaded tension guide structure
A tension guide device includes a tubular housing with a transparent sidewall portion, an elongate rod with a stopper disc tension marker, a spring disposed about the rod, and a distal suture-engagement hook extending externally from the housing.
Visual tension indication
Visual marker bands on the tubular housing identify respective tension ranges, and the position of the stopper disc tension marker relative to the visual marker bands provides a visual tension indication through the transparent sidewall portion.
Suture deployment and tension assessment
The method couples a suture extending externally from target organ tissue to the tension guide, increases suture tension through compression of the spring, and determines whether the tension is within a target range.
Claim 1 combines the spring-loaded tension guide and its visual tension indication with a method for increasing tension in a suture deployed onto target organ tissue and assessing whether the suture tension is within a target range.
Stated Advantages
The visual tension indication helps assess tissue response and avoid over-tensioning.
Documented Applications
Managing suture deployment and assessing tension of sutures deployed onto target organ tissue, particularly mitral valve leaflets in cardiac valve repair.
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