US20060030884A1 — Suture anchor and approximating device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 146 words

1 . A suture anchor deployable with a suture anchor delivery device having a needle, the suture anchor comprising: a suture anchor body having a longitudinal axis and formed of an elastic material, said suture anchor body having a straightened position and a curved position, a passage extending through said suture anchor along said longitudinal axis, said passage sized and configured for the needle of the suture anchor delivery device to pass therethrough, a suture opening sized and configured to received a suture, said suture opening passing through a portion of said suture anchor, a guiding platform attached to one side of said suture anchor body, wherein said suture body is resiliently straightened into said straightened position when the needle of said suture anchor delivery device is located within said passage, and wherein when the needle is removed, said suture anchor body resumes said curved position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 146 words

1 . A suture anchor deployable with a suture anchor delivery device having a needle, the suture anchor comprising: a suture anchor body having a longitudinal axis and formed of an elastic material, said suture anchor body having a straightened position and a curved position, a passage extending through said suture anchor along said longitudinal axis, said passage sized and configured for the needle of the suture anchor delivery device to pass therethrough, a suture opening sized and configured to received a suture, said suture opening passing through a portion of said suture anchor, a guiding platform attached to one side of said suture anchor body, wherein said suture body is resiliently straightened into said straightened position when the needle of said suture anchor delivery device is located within said passage, and wherein when the needle is removed, said suture anchor body resumes said curved position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 16 words

2 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein said guiding platform is generally flat.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

3 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein said suture opening passes through said platform.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

4 . The suture anchor of claim 3 , wherein said platform has a protrusion and said suture opening passes through said protrusion

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

5 . The suture anchor of claim 3 , further comprising a second suture opening passing through said platform.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 38 words

6 . The suture anchor of claim 5 , wherein one of said suture openings is located on a left side of said platform and the other suture opening is located on a right side of said platform.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

7 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein said platform is located on a concave side when said suture anchor is in said curved position.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 27 words

8 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein said platform is located on a convex side when said suture anchor is in said curved position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 36 words

9 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , further comprising a groove located on a bottom surface of said platform, and wherein said groove is closed when said suture anchor is in said curved position.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 14 words

10 . The suture anchor of claim 9 , wherein said groove is V-shaped.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

11 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein said platform is near a middle portion of said suture anchor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

12 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein said platform extends along at least a majority of a length of said suture anchor body.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 25 words

13 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein said platform extends along approximately three quarters of a length of said suture anchor body.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 28 words

14 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of said platform runs generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said suture anchor body.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

15 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein a distal end of said platform is tapered.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 18 words

16 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of said platform is tapered.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 20 words

17 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein said platform is tapered at both proximal and distal ends.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 21 words

18 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein said platform is mounted generally tangentially to said suture anchor body.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 14 words

19 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein said platform is oblong.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 36 words

20 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of said platform curves around a proximal end of said suture anchor body, thereby covering the proximal end of said suture anchor body.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 147 words

21 . A suture anchor deployable with a suture anchor delivery device having a needle, the suture anchor comprising: a suture anchor body having a longitudinal axis and formed of an elastic material, said suture anchor body having a straightened position and a curved position, a passage extending through said suture anchor along said longitudinal axis, said passage sized and configured for the needle of the suture anchor delivery device to pass therethrough, a suture opening sized and configured to received a suture, said suture opening passing through a portion of said suture anchor, a guiding fin attached to one side of said suture anchor body, wherein said suture anchor body is resiliently straightened into said straightened position when the needle of said suture anchor delivery device is located within said passage, and wherein when the needle is removed, said suture anchor body resumes said curved position.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 147 words

21 . A suture anchor deployable with a suture anchor delivery device having a needle, the suture anchor comprising: a suture anchor body having a longitudinal axis and formed of an elastic material, said suture anchor body having a straightened position and a curved position, a passage extending through said suture anchor along said longitudinal axis, said passage sized and configured for the needle of the suture anchor delivery device to pass therethrough, a suture opening sized and configured to received a suture, said suture opening passing through a portion of said suture anchor, a guiding fin attached to one side of said suture anchor body, wherein said suture anchor body is resiliently straightened into said straightened position when the needle of said suture anchor delivery device is located within said passage, and wherein when the needle is removed, said suture anchor body resumes said curved position.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 20 words

22 . The suture anchor of claim 21 , wherein said fin extends generally perpendicular from said suture anchor body.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 23 words

23 . The suture anchor of claim 21 , wherein said fin is located proximate said proximal end of said suture anchor body.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 32 words

24 . The suture anchor of claim 21 , wherein said fin is tapered such that a proximal end of the said fin is larger than a distal end of said fin.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 27 words

25 . The suture anchor of claim 21 , wherein said fin is located on a concave side when said suture anchor is in said curved position.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 27 words

26 . The suture anchor of claim 21 , wherein said fin is located on a convex side when said suture anchor is in said curved position.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 18 words

27 . The suture anchor of claim 21 , wherein a proximal end of said fin is angled.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 27 words

28 . The suture anchor of claim 21 , wherein a proximal end of said fin is angled to match a tapered distal step of the needle.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 31 words

29 . The suture anchor of claim 21 , wherein said fin is extending outward from a middle portion of said suture anchor body and wherein said suture opening extends therethrough.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 18 words

30 . The suture anchor of claim 21 , wherein said suture opening is located opposite said fin.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 27 words

31 . The suture anchor of claim 21 , wherein said fin has a pointed proximal tip that extends beyond an end of said suture anchor body.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 101 words

32 . A suture anchor deployable with a suture anchor delivery device having a needle, the suture anchor comprising: a suture anchor body having a longitudinal axis, a passage extending through said suture anchor along said longitudinal axis, said passage sized and configured for the needle of the suture anchor delivery device to pass therethrough, a suture opening sized and configured to received a suture, said suture opening passing through a portion of said suture anchor, a guiding fin attached to a first side of said suture anchor body, a guiding platform attached a second side of said suture anchor body.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 101 words

32 . A suture anchor deployable with a suture anchor delivery device having a needle, the suture anchor comprising: a suture anchor body having a longitudinal axis, a passage extending through said suture anchor along said longitudinal axis, said passage sized and configured for the needle of the suture anchor delivery device to pass therethrough, a suture opening sized and configured to received a suture, said suture opening passing through a portion of said suture anchor, a guiding fin attached to a first side of said suture anchor body, a guiding platform attached a second side of said suture anchor body.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 20 words

33 . The suture anchor of claim 32 , wherein said guiding fin extends generally perpendicular to said guiding platform.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 58 words

34 . The suture anchor of claim 32 , wherein a proximal end of said platform curves around a proximal end of said suture anchor body, thereby covering the proximal end of said suture anchor body and wherein said fin has a pointed proximal tip that extends beyond an end of said suture anchor body and said platform.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 19 words

35 . The suture anchor of claim 32 , wherein said suture anchor is formed of an elastic material.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 57 words

36 . The suture anchor of claim 35 , wherein said suture anchor has a straightened position and a curved position, and wherein said suture anchor may be held in said straightened position by the needle, when the needle is located within said passage, and when said needle is removed, said suture anchor resumes said curved position.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 38 words

37 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , 21 or 32 , wherein said suture anchor is formed of a material chosen from the group of materials consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, poly-ether-ether-ketone, acetal resin, polysulfone and polycarbonate.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 19 words

38 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , 21 or 32 , wherein said suture anchor is biodegradable.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 37 words

39 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , 21 or 32 , wherein said suture anchor is formed of a material chosen from the group of materials consisting of polylactate, polyglycolic, poly-lactide-co-glycolide, polycaprolactone, and trimethylene carbonate.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 21 words

40 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , 21 or 32 , further comprising a coating on said suture anchor.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 50 words

41 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , 21 or 32 , further comprising a coating on said suture anchor, said coating chosen from the group of coatings consisting of lubricants, growth factors, nutrients, buffering agents, collagen, hydroxyapatite, analgesics, sealants, blood clotting agents, antibiotics, radiopaque agents and echogenic agents.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 21 words

42 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , 21 or 32 , further comprising a coating of a biocompatible polymer.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 35 words

43 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , 21 or 32 , further comprising a coating of chosen from the group of coatings consisting of polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, silicon, and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 67 words

44 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , 21 or 32 , wherein said suture anchor is formed of a material chosen from the group of material consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, poly-ether-ether-ketone, acetal resin, polysulfone, polycarbonate, polylactate, polyglycolic, poly-lactide-co-glycolide, polycaprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, polydioxanone, polyanhydride, trimethylene carbonate, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyvalerate, poly-gama-ethyl-glutamate, poly-DTH-iminocarbonate, poly-bisphenol-A-iminocarbonate, poly-ortho-ester, polycyanoacrylate, polyphosphazene, nickel-titanium alloy, spring tempered stainless steel, titanium, stainless steel and metallic material.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 42 words

45 . The suture anchor of claim 1 , 21 or 32 , further comprising a second suture anchor and a suture threaded through said suture opening and through a second suture opening extending through a body of said second suture anchor.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 73 words

46 . A suture anchor delivery system, comprising: the suture anchor of claim 1 , 21 or 36 , a needle having a step dividing said needle into a proximal portion and a distal portion, said distal portion being sized and configured to fit within said passage, said proximal portion having a larger diameter, wherein, when said needle is located within said passage, said needle holds said suture anchor in said straightened position.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 32 words

47 . The suture anchor delivery system of claim 46 , wherein a proximal end of said suture anchor body rests against said step when said needle is located within said passage.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 27 words

48 . The suture anchor delivery system of claim 46 , wherein a sharp distal end of said needle protrudes from a distal end of said passage.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 24 words

49 . The suture anchor delivery system of claim 46 , further comprising a second step in said needle and a second suture anchor.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 21 words

50 . The suture anchor delivery system of claim 49 , wherein said suture passing through both of said suture anchors.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 70 words

51 . A method for delivering a suture anchor within tissue of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: (a) puncturing the tissue with a needle, carrying a suture anchor; (b) removing the needle from the suture anchor; (c) and pulling a suture connected to the suture anchor causing a fin on the suture anchor to snag the surrounding tissue, thereby causing said suture anchor to rotate within tissue.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 70 words

51 . A method for delivering a suture anchor within tissue of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: (a) puncturing the tissue with a needle, carrying a suture anchor; (b) removing the needle from the suture anchor; (c) and pulling a suture connected to the suture anchor causing a fin on the suture anchor to snag the surrounding tissue, thereby causing said suture anchor to rotate within tissue.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 80 words

52 . A method for delivering a suture anchor within tissue of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: (a) puncturing the tissue with a needle carrying a suture anchor; (b) removing the needle from the suture anchor, thereby allowing the suture anchor to resume its curved configuration; (c) and pulling a suture connected to the suture anchor causing a fin on the suture anchor to snag the surrounding tissue, thereby causing said suture anchor to rotate within tissue.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 80 words

52 . A method for delivering a suture anchor within tissue of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: (a) puncturing the tissue with a needle carrying a suture anchor; (b) removing the needle from the suture anchor, thereby allowing the suture anchor to resume its curved configuration; (c) and pulling a suture connected to the suture anchor causing a fin on the suture anchor to snag the surrounding tissue, thereby causing said suture anchor to rotate within tissue.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 32 words

53 . The method of claim 51 or 52 further comprising the step of: (d) holding the suture anchor in the tissue with a sleeve located around the needle during step (b).

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 79 words

54 . The method of claim 51 or 52 used to treat urinary incontinence, the method further comprising the steps of: (d) identifying the location of the urethra; (e) inserting the needle into the anterior wall of a vagina of the patient lateral to the urethra during step (a); (f) repeating steps (a) thru (e) until a wall of the vagina is repositioned; (g) and tying the sutures, thereby supporting the urethra with the repositioned wall of the vagina.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 47 words

55 . The method of claim 51 or 52 used to treat uterine prolapse, the method further comprising the steps of: (d) repositioning the uterus; (e) fastening the repositioned uterus with steps (a) thru (c); (f) and repeating steps (a) thru (c) until the uterus is secure.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 54 words

56 . The method of claim 51 or 52 used to reattach ligament onto bone, the method further comprising the steps of: (d) repositioning a torn ligament over bone; (e) repeating steps (a) thru (c) until the ligament is secure; (f) tying the suture; (g) and allowing the ligament to heal over the bone.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 13 words

57 . The method of claim 56 , wherein the bone is cancellous.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 76 words

58 . The method of claim 51 or 52 used to treat a bulging intervertebral disc, the method further comprising the steps of: (d) inserting the needle into the bulging disc in step (a); (e) pushing the suture anchor out an opposite side of the bulging disc; (f) threading a disc compressing device onto the suture; (g) pulling and tying the suture, thereby compressing the bulging disc between the suture anchor and the disc compressing device.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 26 words

59 . The method of claim 58 , wherein step (e) is performed by using a sleeve located around the needle to push the suture anchor.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 43 words

60 . The method of claim 51 or 52 , wherein step (b) is performed by the fin on the suture anchor snagging on the tissue, thereby holding the suture anchor in the tissue while the needle is withdrawn from the suture anchor.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 94 words

61 . The method of claim 60 , wherein a second suture anchor is located on the needle and the suture passes through the second suture anchor and further comprising the steps of: (d) removing the needle from the second suture anchor; (e) allowing the second suture anchor to resume a curved configuration; (f) pulling on the suture to cause the second suture anchor to rotate within the surrounding tissue; (g) and pulling the suture further to draw together the tissue proximate the first suture anchor and the tissue proximate the second suture anchor.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 21 words

62 . The method of claim 61 , wherein the first suture anchor is located distal to said second suture anchor.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 34 words

63 . The method of claim 61 used to repair a loose anal sphincter, wherein in step (a), the tissue is both sides of the loose anal sphincter and step (g) narrows the sphincter.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 27 words

64 . The method of claim 61 used to shorten a ligament, wherein in step (a), the tissue is the ligament and step (g) shortens the ligament.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 24 words

65 . The method of claim 64 , further comprising the step of repeating steps (a) thru (g) until the ligament is sufficiently shortened.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 43 words

66 . The method of claim 61 used for treating urinary incontinence, wherein in step (a), the needle passes through the vagina and into the abdominal fascia or ligament and step (g) moves a wall of the vagina to support a urethral wall.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 30 words

67 . The method of claim 66 , further comprising the step of repeating steps (a) thru (g) until the urethral wall is supported sufficiently to alleviate the urinary incontinence.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 27 words

68 . The method of claim 61 , wherein a second pair of suture anchors with a second suture is located on the needle and is deployed.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 38 words

69 . The method of claim 51 or 52 , wherein step (b) is performed by a sleeve located around the needle holding the suture anchor in the tissue while the needle is withdrawn from the suture anchor.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 94 words

70 . The method of claim 69 , wherein a second suture anchor is located on the needle and the suture passes through the second suture anchor and further comprising the steps of: (d) removing the needle from the second suture anchor; (e) allowing the second suture anchor to resume a curved configuration; (f) pulling on the suture to cause the second suture anchor to rotate within the surrounding tissue; (g) and pulling the suture further to draw together the tissue proximate the first suture anchor and the tissue proximate the second suture anchor.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 44 words

71 . The method of claim 70 , wherein step (d) is performed by the fin on the second suture anchor snagging on the tissue, thereby holding the second suture anchor in the tissue while the needle is withdrawn from the second suture anchor.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 38 words

72 . The method of claim 70 , wherein step (d) is performed by the sleeve located around the needle holding the second suture anchor in the tissue while the needle is withdrawn from the second suture anchor.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 21 words

73 . The method of claim 70 , wherein the first suture anchor is located distal to said second suture anchor.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 34 words

74 . The method of claim 70 used to repair a loose anal sphincter, wherein in step (a), the tissue is both sides of the loose anal sphincter and step (g) narrows the sphincter.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 27 words

75 . The method of claim 70 used to shorten a ligament, wherein in step (a), the tissue is the ligament and step (g) shortens the ligament.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 24 words

76 . The method of claim 75 , further comprising the step of repeating steps (a) thru (g) until the ligament is sufficiently shortened.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 43 words

77 . The method of claim 70 used for treating urinary incontinence, wherein in step (a), the needle passes through the vagina and into the abdominal fascia or ligament and step (g) moves a wall of the vagina to support a urethral wall.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 30 words

78 . The method of claim 77 , further comprising the step of repeating steps (a) thru (g) until the urethral wall is supported sufficiently to alleviate the urinary incontinence.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 27 words

79 . The method of claim 70 , wherein a second pair of suture anchors with a second suture is located on the needle and is deployed.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 29 words

80 . A suture anchor delivery device, comprising: a needle, a first sleeve located around said needle and a second sleeve located around said needle and said first sleeve.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 29 words

80 . A suture anchor delivery device, comprising: a needle, a first sleeve located around said needle and a second sleeve located around said needle and said first sleeve.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 71 words

81 . The suture anchor delivery device of claim 80 , further comprising a first suture anchor having a first passage extending therethrough, said first passage sized to receive said needle and sized too small to receive said first sleeve, and further comprising a second suture anchor having a second passage extending therethrough, said second passage sized to receive said first sleeve and sized too small to receive said second sleeve.

Suture anchor and approximating device

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