Suture fastening device

US9247938B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David T. Martin · Melbourne, AU
• James A. Woodard, Jr. · Mason, US
• Carl J. Shurtleff · Mason, US
• Kevin A. Larson · South Lebanon, US
• Mark J. Bookbinder · Blue Ash, US
• John L. Stammen · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 9, 2012
• Grant date: Feb 2, 2016
• Expiry date: Jul 7, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/2926
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus is operable to secure suture fasteners to sutures to eliminate the need to tie knots in the sutures. The apparatus comprises a shaft, an end effector disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a suture fastener removably secured to the end effector. The end effector may include a pivoting jaw or a suture cutter. The suture fastener may be secured to one, two, or more strands of suture. The apparatus may include several suture fasteners and may secure those fasteners to one or more sutures in a serial fashion without having to remove the apparatus from the patient for reloading. A plurality of fasteners may be arranged within the apparatus in an end-to-end configuration. The suture fastener may include an inner fastener member and an outer fastener member, and may capture one or more strands of suture between the inner and outer fastener members.