US5100431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Single stitch suture needle and method
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Surgical Vision Inc
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Filing: 1990-09-27
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Granted: 1992-03-31
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Expires: 2010-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A suture comprising a needle including a substantially straight section terminating at one end in a point and a curved section joined to the other end of the straight section. The straight section and the curved section lie in substantially the same plane. The curved section terminates in a proximal end portion, and a suture is coupled to the proximal end portion of the curved section. This needle can be used in a method for closing an incision in the sclera or cornea with only a single stitch.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Buster
- 👤 Paul H. Ernest
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06004; A61B17/06066; A61F; A61F9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A suture comprising: a needle including a proximal section and a substantially straight section; said substantially straight section having a pointed distal end and a proximal region; said proximal section having a distal region and a proximal end portion, at least a portion of the proximal section being curved and such curved portion of the proximal section defining an arc between about 10 degrees and about 70 degrees in length, said distal region of said proximal section being joined to said proximal region of the substantially straight section; said proximal section and said substantially straight section lying substantially in the same plane; an elongated flexible filament; and means for coupling the filament to the proximal end portion of the proximal section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A suture comprising: a needle including a proximal section and a substantially straight section; said substantially straight section having a pointed distal end and a proximal region; said proximal section having a distal region and a proximal end portion, at least a portion of the proximal section being curved and such curved portion of the proximal section defining an arc between about 10 degrees and about 70 degrees in length, said distal region of said proximal section being joined to said proximal region of the substantially straight section; said proximal section and said substantially straight section lying substantially in the same plane; an elongated flexible filament; and means for coupling the filament to the proximal end portion of the proximal section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A suture as defined in claim 1 wherein the proximal section is curved substantially throughout its full length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A suture as defined in claim 1 wherein the proximal section forms a segment of a generally circular arc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A suture as defined in claim 1 wherein said substantially straight section is longer than the proximal section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A suture as defined in claim 3 wherein said arc is about 60 degrees in length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A suture as defined in claim 1 wherein the length of the substantially straight section is from about 2.3 mm to about 4.5 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A suture as defined in claim 1 wherein the length of the substantially straight section is from about 2.3 mm to about 3.6 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A suture as defined in claim 1 wherein the length of the substantially straight section is from about 3.4 mm to about 3.6 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A suture as defined in claim 1 wherein the total length of the needle is between about 3.5 mm and about 7.5 mm and the length of the substantially straight section is between about 2.3 mm and 4.5 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A suture as defined in claim 1 wherein the substantially straight section is straight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A suture as defined in claim 1 wherein the substantially straight section has a distal region with a side cutting needle configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A suture as defined in claim 4 wherein the needle as viewed in said plane is of substantially constant thickness between said pointed distal end and said coupling means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
A suture comprising: a needle including a curved section and a substantially straight section, said needle having a length between about 3.5 mm and about 7.5 mm; said substantially straight section having a pointed distal end and a proximal region, said substantially straight section having a length of from about 2.3 mm to about 4.5 mm; said curved section having a distal region and a proximal end portion, substantially all of the curved section being curved, said distal region of said curved section being joined to said proximal region of the substantially straight section; said curved section and said substantially straight section lying substantially in the same plane; an elongated flexible filament; and means for coupling the filament to the proximal end portion of the curved section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
127 words
A suture comprising: a needle including a curved section and a substantially straight section, said needle having a length between about 3.5 mm and about 7.5 mm; said substantially straight section having a pointed distal end and a proximal region, said substantially straight section having a length of from about 2.3 mm to about 4.5 mm; said curved section having a distal region and a proximal end portion, substantially all of the curved section being curved, said distal region of said curved section being joined to said proximal region of the substantially straight section; said curved section and said substantially straight section lying substantially in the same plane; an elongated flexible filament; and means for coupling the filament to the proximal end portion of the curved section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A suture as defined in claim 13 wherein the curved section forms an arc of from about 10 degrees to about 70 degrees.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A suture as defined in claim 14 wherein the arc is about 60 degrees in length.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A suture as defined in claim 13 wherein the length of the substantially straight section is from about 2.3 mm to about 3.6 mm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A suture as defined in claim 13 wherein the length of the substantially straight section is from about 3.4 mm to about 3.6 mm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A suture as defined in claim 13 wherein the substantially straight section has a distal region with a side cutting needle configuration.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of closing an incision in the sclera wherein the incision has opposite sides, said method comprising: providing a suture which includes a needle having a substantially straight section with a pointed distal end and a proximal section which includes a curved region and a filament coupled to a proximal region of the proximal section; and closing the incision in the sclera with the suture.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of closing an incision in the sclera wherein the incision has opposite sides, said method comprising: providing a suture which includes a needle having a substantially straight section with a pointed distal end and a proximal section which includes a curved region and a filament coupled to a proximal region of the proximal section; and closing the incision in the sclera with the suture.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method as defined in claim 19 wherein the step of closing includes inserting the pointed distal end into tissue at a first location along one side of the incision and passing the needle through the tissue along said one side of the incision, without extending the needle into the vitreous humor, for at least a major portion of the length of the substantially straight section and for a major length of the incision to a second location.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as defined in claim 20 wherein the substantially straight section has a length of at least 2.3 mm and said step of passing the needle through tissue on one side of the incision is carried out so that said major length of the incision is at least 1.8 mm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as defined in claim 20 wherein said step of passing the needle through the tissue along said one side of the incision is carried out without extending the needle deeper than about 0.5 mm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 20 including utilizing the curved region to assist in exiting the needle from the tissue at the second location.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as defined in claim 20 wherein the step of closing includes passing the needle across the incision and through tissue to a third location and internally or externally along the other side of the incision to a fourth location with the filament trailing the needle and attaching regions of the filament together to close the incision.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 24 including passing the needle through tissue at the fourth location and subsequently carrying out said step of attaching.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of closing an incision of about 2.0 mm to about 5 mm in the sclera wherein the incision has opposite sides, said method comprising: providing a suture which includes a needle having a substantially straight section of from about 2.3 mm to about 4.5 mm in length with a pointed distal end and a curved section and a filament coupled to a proximal region of the curved section; inserting the pointed distal end into tissue at a first location along one side of the incision and passing the needle through the tissue along said one side of the incision at a depth of no greater than about 0.5 mm for at least about 1.8 mm to a second location; passing the needle across the incision and through tissue to a third location, and externally along the other side of the incision to a fourth location with the filament trailing the needle; and attaching regions of the filament together to close the incision.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of closing an incision of about 2.0 mm to about 5 mm in the sclera wherein the incision has opposite sides, said method comprising: providing a suture which includes a needle having a substantially straight section of from about 2.3 mm to about 4.5 mm in length with a pointed distal end and a curved section and a filament coupled to a proximal region of the curved section; inserting the pointed distal end into tissue at a first location along one side of the incision and passing the needle through the tissue along said one side of the incision at a depth of no greater than about 0.5 mm for at least about 1.8 mm to a second location; passing the needle across the incision and through tissue to a third location, and externally along the other side of the incision to a fourth location with the filament trailing the needle; and attaching regions of the filament together to close the incision.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as defined in claim 26 wherein the length of the substantially straight section is at least about 2.5 mm and the step of passing the needle through tissue along one side of the incision is carried out for from about 2 mm to about 2.5 mm to the second location.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 26 wherein the step of providing includes providing the curved section in the form of a circular arc of from about 10 degrees to about 70 degrees.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 26 including passing the needle through tissue at the fourth location and subsequently carrying out said step of attaching.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 26 including utilizing the curved region to assist in exiting the needle from the tissue at the second location.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of closing an incision in the sclera or cornea wherein the incision provides a tunnel leading to the interior of the eye with the tunnel having a floor and a flap, said method comprising: providing a suture which includes a needle having a substantially straight section with a pointed distal end and a proximal section which includes a curved region and a filament coupled to a proximal region of the proximal section; closing the incision using the suture; and said step of closing includes inserting the pointed distal end into tissue at a first location in the floor of the tunnel and passing the needle through the tissue without extending the needle into the vitreous humor for at least a major portion of the length of the substantially straight section and for a major length of the incision to a second location in the floor.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of closing an incision in the sclera or cornea wherein the incision provides a tunnel leading to the interior of the eye with the tunnel having a floor and a flap, said method comprising: providing a suture which includes a needle having a substantially straight section with a pointed distal end and a proximal section which includes a curved region and a filament coupled to a proximal region of the proximal section; closing the incision using the suture; and said step of closing includes inserting the pointed distal end into tissue at a first location in the floor of the tunnel and passing the needle through the tissue without extending the needle into the vitreous humor for at least a major portion of the length of the substantially straight section and for a major length of the incision to a second location in the floor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as defined in claim 31 wherein the step of closing includes passing the needle from the second location through the flap to a third location and over the flap to a fourth location with the filament trailing the needle and attaching regions of the filament together to close the incision.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
121 words
A suture comprising: a needle including a proximal section and a substantially straight section; said substantially straight section having a pointed distal end and a proximal region; said proximal section having a distal region and a proximal end portion, at least a portion of the proximal section being curved, said distal region of said proximal section being joined to said proximal region of the substantially straight section; said proximal section and said substantially straight section lying substantially in the same plane; an elongated flexible filament; and means for coupling the filament to the proximal end portion of the proximal section, said needle as viewed in said plane being of substantially constant thickness between said pointed distal end and said coupling means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
121 words
A suture comprising: a needle including a proximal section and a substantially straight section; said substantially straight section having a pointed distal end and a proximal region; said proximal section having a distal region and a proximal end portion, at least a portion of the proximal section being curved, said distal region of said proximal section being joined to said proximal region of the substantially straight section; said proximal section and said substantially straight section lying substantially in the same plane; an elongated flexible filament; and means for coupling the filament to the proximal end portion of the proximal section, said needle as viewed in said plane being of substantially constant thickness between said pointed distal end and said coupling means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
A suture as defined in claim 33 wherein the curved portion of the proximal section is of substantially constant curvature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-31 | 1995-09-30 | 1996-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-31 | 1999-09-30 | 2000-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-31 | 2003-09-30 | 2004-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |