Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A suture device comprising: a thread member provided along at least a portion of its length with a series of resilient projections, said thread member having an outer diameter defined by said projections; a loop member defining an opening having a linear dimension at least two times as large as said outer diameter; and joining means for connecting one end of said thread member to said loop member, at least one of said joining means and said loop member defining at least in part an aperture having a linear dimension smaller than said outer diameter, said aperture communicating with said opening defined by said loop; and locking means, provided on at least one of said joining means and said loop member, for preventing a removal of said thread member from said aperture upon a passing of said thread member through said loop member and a subsequent pulling of said thread member into said aperture from said loop member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A suture device comprising: a thread member provided along at least a portion of its length with a series of resilient projections, said thread member having an outer diameter defined by said projections; a loop member defining an opening having a linear dimension at least two times as large as said outer diameter; and joining means for connecting one end of said thread member to said loop member, at least one of said joining means and said loop member defining at least in part an aperture having a linear dimension smaller than said outer diameter, said aperture communicating with said opening defined by said loop; and locking means, provided on at least one of said joining means and said loop member, for preventing a removal of said thread member from said aperture upon a passing of said thread member through said loop member and a subsequent pulling of said thread member into said aperture from said loop member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The suture device set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking means includes at least one protuberance on said loop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The suture device set forth in claim 2 wherein said protuberance projects towards said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suture device set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking means includes two protuberances projecting from said loop towards said aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The suture device set forth in claim 1 wherein said joining means comprises a Y-shaped connector piece between said one end of said thread member and said loop member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The suture device set forth in claim 1 wherein said loop member is provided on a side opposite said joining means and said thread member with an additional member extending away from said loop member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The suture device set forth in claim 6 wherein said additional member takes the form of an additional thread member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The suture device set forth in claim 1, further comprising a needle element attached to said thread member at an end thereof opposite said joining means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The suture device set forth in claim 1 wherein said joining means comprises a body member between said loop member and said thread member, said body member being formed with said aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The suture device set forth in claim 9 wherein said body member is cylindrical.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The suture device set forth in claim 1 wherein said aperture is star-shaped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The suture device set forth in claim 1 wherein said projections are tapered from a larger transverse dimension down towards an end of said thread member opposite said joining means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The suture device set forth in claim 1 wherein said thread member, said loop member, said joining means and said locking means are integrally molded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
168 words
A suture device comprising: a thread member provided along at least a portion of its length with a series of resilient projections, said thread member having an outer diameter defined by said projections; a loop member defining an opening having a linear dimension at least two times as large as said outer diameter; and a body member defining an aperture having a linear dimension smaller than said outer diameter, one end of said thread member being connected to one side of said body member, said loop member being connected to another side of said body member substantially opposite said one side, said body member being provided with an access channel extending between said loop member and said aperture, said body member being further provided with locking means for preventing a removal of said thread member from said aperture upon a threading of said thread member through said loop member and a subsequent pulling of said thread member through said access channel into said aperture from said loop member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
168 words
A suture device comprising: a thread member provided along at least a portion of its length with a series of resilient projections, said thread member having an outer diameter defined by said projections; a loop member defining an opening having a linear dimension at least two times as large as said outer diameter; and a body member defining an aperture having a linear dimension smaller than said outer diameter, one end of said thread member being connected to one side of said body member, said loop member being connected to another side of said body member substantially opposite said one side, said body member being provided with an access channel extending between said loop member and said aperture, said body member being further provided with locking means for preventing a removal of said thread member from said aperture upon a threading of said thread member through said loop member and a subsequent pulling of said thread member through said access channel into said aperture from said loop member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The suture device set forth in claim 14 wherein said locking means includes at least one protuberance, said access channel being defined at least in part by said protuberance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The suture device set forth in claim 15 wherein said aperture is generally triangular.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suture device set forth in claim 15 wherein said locking means includes two protuberances, said access channel passing between said protuberances.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The suture device set forth in claim 15 wherein said body member is essentially Y-shaped.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The suture device set forth in claim 15 wherein said loop member is provided on a side opposite said body member with an additional member extending away from said loop member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The suture device set forth in claim 19 wherein said additional member takes the form of an additional thread member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The suture device set forth in claim 15 wherein said aperture is generally triangular.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The suture device set forth in claim 15, further comprising a needle element attached to said thread member at an end thereof opposite said joining means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The suture device set forth in claim 15 wherein said body member is cylindrical.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The suture device set forth in claim 15 wherein said aperture is star-shaped.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The suture device set forth in claim 15 wherein said projections are tapered from a larger transverse dimension down towards an end of said thread member opposite said joining means.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
304 words
A method for binding a wound in a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a suture device having: a thread member provided along at least a portion of its length with a series of resilient projections, said thread member having an outer diameter defined by said projections; a loop member defining an opening having a linear dimension substantially larger than said outer diameter; and a body member defining an aperture having a linear dimension smaller than said outer diameter, one end of said thread member being connected to one side of said body member, said loop member being connected to another side of said body member substantially opposite said one side, said body member being provided with an access channel extending between said loop member and said aperture, said body member being further provided with locking means for preventing a removal of said thread member from said aperture upon a threading of said thread member through said loop member and a subsequent pulling of said thread member through said access channel into said aperture from said loop member; passing a free end of said thread member through or around a body tissue or organ to be tied; subsequently passing said free end of said thread through said loop member so that said thread member forms another loop about the body tissue or organ to be tied; pulling said thread member through said locking means into said aperture and so that said other loop decreases in size; continuing to pull said thread member through said aperture to tighten said other loop at least partially about said body tissue or organ to be tied; cutting a free end portion of said thread member upon a completing of the pulling operation; and severing said loop member from said joining means upon a completing of the pulling operation.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
304 words
A method for binding a wound in a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a suture device having: a thread member provided along at least a portion of its length with a series of resilient projections, said thread member having an outer diameter defined by said projections; a loop member defining an opening having a linear dimension substantially larger than said outer diameter; and a body member defining an aperture having a linear dimension smaller than said outer diameter, one end of said thread member being connected to one side of said body member, said loop member being connected to another side of said body member substantially opposite said one side, said body member being provided with an access channel extending between said loop member and said aperture, said body member being further provided with locking means for preventing a removal of said thread member from said aperture upon a threading of said thread member through said loop member and a subsequent pulling of said thread member through said access channel into said aperture from said loop member; passing a free end of said thread member through or around a body tissue or organ to be tied; subsequently passing said free end of said thread through said loop member so that said thread member forms another loop about the body tissue or organ to be tied; pulling said thread member through said locking means into said aperture and so that said other loop decreases in size; continuing to pull said thread member through said aperture to tighten said other loop at least partially about said body tissue or organ to be tied; cutting a free end portion of said thread member upon a completing of the pulling operation; and severing said loop member from said joining means upon a completing of the pulling operation.