Device and method for delivering a connector for surgically joining and securing flexible tissue repair members

US5902321A · 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 11, 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 delivery device and method include a rod frangibly affixed to an inner member and a support member slidable around the rod. The support member is adapted to support an outer member for movement relative to the inner member for forming a snap fit therebetween, the snap fit for trapping flexible material such as suture at a surgical site. In an alternate embodiment a pistol-type handle and trigger operate to move a push rod seated within an outer barrel against the outer member to push the outer member over the inner member to form the snap fit. A collet is attached to a collet barrel slidable within the outer barrel, the collet barrel positioned in surrounding relation to the push rod. The collet, which is spring biased into a closed position, supports the outer member prior to activation of the delivery device.