Suture anchor loader

US7875042B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David T. Martin · Melbourne, AU
• Richard F. Schwemberger · Cincinnati, US
• Michael J. Andreyko · Cincinnati, US
• Michael S. Cropper · Edgewood, US
• Scott A. Woodruff · Cincinnati, US
• John V. Hunt · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 4, 2007
• Grant date: Jan 25, 2011
• Expiry date: Dec 11, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/0417
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A suture anchor loader comprises a housing with a port. A channel extends into the housing from the port, the channel being dimensioned to receive a surgical needle. A suture anchor is preloaded in the channel with a length of suture connected to the suture anchor and stored in the housing. A push rod is slideably positioned in the channel such that the suture anchor is intermediate the push rod and the port. An actuator is operatively connected to push rod to selectively deploy the anchor into the needle.