Methods and devices for tensioning grafts

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10265157-B2
Application number	US-201615198189-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 30, 2016
Priority date	Jun 30, 2016
Publication date	Apr 23, 2019
Grant date	Apr 23, 2019

Abstract

Various exemplary methods and devices for tensioning grafts are provided. In general, a surgical device can include a grip and a frame. The frame can have two opposed segments. The segments can be spaced apart from one another and can each be configured to have at least one suture attached thereto. The sutures attached to the frame can each be configured to attach to a graft. The two segments can be configured to dynamically move toward and away from each other in response to tension that is applied to the sutures attached to the frame. The frame can include an indicator configured to provide an indication of the tension applied to the sutures. The grip can have at least one opening therein. The at least one opening can be configured to have a surgical instrument passed therethrough.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A surgical device, comprising: a grip configured to be held by a user, the grip including a passageway therein configured to allow passage of a surgical instrument therethrough with the grip being held by the user;
a frame formed of opposed first and second segments, the first and second segments connected to each other and to the grip at one end by a flexure configured to dynamically flex in response to a force applied thereto, and the first and second segments being separated at an opposite end by a variable angle;
at least one suture retention mechanism formed on each of the first and second frame segments; and
a plurality of sutures, each of the sutures being configured to be removably secured to one of the suture retention mechanisms;
wherein the first and second frame segments are configured to move toward each other to decrease the variable angle in response to tension applied to a suture attached to the at least one suture retention mechanism.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator configured to provide an indication of the tension applied to the plurality of sutures.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the indicator includes first and second indicators, and a relative positioning of the first indicator and the second indicator provides the indication of the tension applied to the plurality of sutures.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the first indicator includes a mark on one of the first and second segments, and the second indicator includes a window in the other of the first and second segments.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexure includes a living hinge.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the passageway includes at least one enclosed hole.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the passageway includes at least one cut-out in a sidewall of the grip.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexure includes a plurality of hinges.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexure biases distal ends of the first and second segments away from each other.

10. A surgical system, comprising:
a frame having a first portion and a second portion;
a grip having an aperture therethrough configured to allow passage of a surgical instrument; and
a plurality of sutures;
wherein the first portion and the second portion each extend distally from the grip and each have proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends of the first portion and the second portion being coupled to the grip by a plurality of hinges, the distal ends of the first portion and the second portion are moveably spaced apart from each other, the first portion and the second portion each have at least one suture retention mechanism coupled thereto, and the frame is movable between a first position, in which the plurality of hinges biases the distal ends of the first and second portions away from each other, and a second position, in which the distal ends of the first and second portions have moved toward each other in response to a force applied to the frame to overcome the bias; and
wherein each of the sutures is configured to be removably secured to one of the suture retention mechanisms.

11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising an indicator configured to provide an indication of the force applied to the frame.

12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a surgical instrument passed through the aperture,
wherein the indicator is visible when the surgical instrument is extended therethrough.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the indicator includes first and second indicators, and a position of the first indicator and the second indicator relative to each other provides the indication of the force applied to the frame.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of hinges includes a living hinge.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein, with each of the plurality of sutures removably secured to respective ones of the suture retention mechanisms, the plurality of sutures are configured to be at a first tension with the frame in the first position and to be at a second, greater tension with the frame in the second position.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the frame includes an indicator configured to indicate that the plurality of sutures have achieved the second tension in response to the movement of the frame from the first position to the second position.

17. A surgical system, comprising:
a frame having a first portion and a second portion; and
a grip having an aperture therethrough configured to allow passage of a surgical instrument;
an indicator configured to provide an indication of the force applied to the frame; and
a surgical instrument passed through the aperture such that the indicator is visible when the surgical instrument is extended therethrough;
wherein the first portion and the second portion each extend distally from the grip and each have proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends of the first portion and the second portion being coupled to the grip by a plurality of hinges, the distal ends of the first portion and the second portion are moveably spaced apart from each other, the first portion and the second portion each have at least one suture retention mechanism coupled thereto, and the frame is movable between a first position, in which the plurality of hinges biases the distal ends of the first and second portions away from each other, and a second position, in which the distal ends of the first and second portions have moved toward each other in response to a force applied to the frame to overcome the bias.

18. The system of claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of sutures, each of the sutures being configured to be removably secured to the at least one suture retention mechanism.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the indicator includes first and second indicators, and a position of the first indicator and the second indicator relative to each other provides the indication of the force applied to the frame.

Assignees

• Medos Int Sarl

Inventors

• Mahoney Jr James J
• Henderson Nathaniel H
• Zylka Kevin John
• Marks Jacob A
• Stephen Arthur

Classifications

• A61B17/0401

  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 title

• A61F2/0811

  Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments · CPC title

• A61B2090/064

  for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension · CPC title

• A61B2017/0496

  for tensioning sutures · CPC title

• A61F2/0805 Primary

  Implements for inserting tendons or ligaments · CPC title