Connector device and method for surgically joining and securing flexible tissue repair members

US5899921A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Innovasive Devices, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Richard B. Caspari · Maidens, US
• Alan Chervitz · Palm Harbor, US
• Thomas Wade Fallin · Hyde Park, US
• Rickey Hart · Plainville, US
• Daniel F. Justin · Logan, US
• Daniel A. Perkins · Lewis Center, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 25, 1997
• Grant date: May 4, 1999
• Expiry date: Jul 25, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/037
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A connector for joining sections of flexible material includes inner and outer members that snap fit together by passing the bore of the outer member over the inner member to capture and secure ends of flexible material such as sutures. The flexible material is fitted into a bore in the inner member and project out a side portal to pass between the shared or opposing inner and outer member surfaces. This serpentine pathway locks the flexible material in place. The invention further provides a delivery instrument to maintain the outer member in alignment with a receiving end of the inner member loaded with flexible material. The delivery instrument further includes cooperating elements for urging the outer member over the inner member to lock the flexible material in place.