Patent · US Expired

Nitinol loop suture passer

US6991636B2 · kind B2 · utility

132Cited by
15References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 25, 2003
Grant dateJan 31, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 4, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/061
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A suture shuttle in the form of a loop of flexible metallic material, such as nitinol wire, is disclosed. The flattened loop of nitinol wire is long enough to extend into an arthroscopic portal and out an accessory portal through a joint undergoing arthroscopic surgery. After installing a suture anchor in bone, a strand of suture attached to the suture anchor is retrieved through the accessory portal. Using a cannulated instrument having a sharp tip, the tissue to be repaired is pierced to create an opening. The nitinol loop is deployed through the cannulated instrument and passed through the opening. The retrieved suture strand is placed through the portion of the nitinol loop and pulled through the tissue opening before arthroscopic knots are tied.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.