Looped suture ligating device containing a heat-shrinkable element

Claim 5

The method of claim 2 wherein said knot is disposed within said securement member.

Claim 6

The method of claim 2 wherein said knot is disposed adjacent to said securement member.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 further comprising securing said second suture end portion to a shaft member.

Claim 8

A looped suture ligating device which comprises: a) a suture having two end portions and a body portion disposed therebetween; b) a substantially cylindrical shaft member having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal passage therethrough and at least a portion of said suture disposed therein; c) a loop in said suture disposed distally of said distal end of said shaft member, said loop at least partially formed by doubling-back one of said suture end portions; and d) a substantially tubular securement member disposed distally of said distal end of said shaft member and proximally of said suture loop, said securement member surrounding a portion of said suture body portion and a portion of said doubled-back suture end portion to at least partially slidably secure said end portion relative to said suture body portion, said securement member being made from a heat shrinkable material.

Claim 9

A looped suture ligating device which comprises: a) a suture having two end portions and a body portion disposed therebetween; b) a substantially cylindrical shaft member having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal passage therethrough and at least a portion of said suture disposed therein; c) a loop in said suture disposed distally of said distal end of said shaft member, said loop at least partially formed by doubling-back one of said suture end portions; and d) a substantially tubular securement member disposed distally of said distal end of said shaft member and proximally of said suture loop, said securement member surrounding a portion of said suture body portion and a portion of said doubled-back suture end portion to at least partially slidably secure said end portion relative to said suture body portion, said securement member being made from a heat shrinkable material.

Claim 10

The device of claim 6 wherein said shrinkable material comprises polyvinylidene fluoride.

Claim 11

The device of claim 6 wherein said securement member is made of a biocompatible metal.

Claim 12

The device of claim 6 further comprising preventing means for preventing said doubled-back suture end portion from passing through said securement member.

Claim 13

The device of claim 9 wherein said preventing means comprises a knot in said doubled-back suture end portion.

Claim 14

The device of claim 6 further comprising a knot in said doubled-back end portion wherein said suture body portion is slidable within said slip knot.

Claim 15

The device of claim 11 wherein said slip knot is disposed within said securement member.

Claim 16

The device of claim 11 wherein said knot is disposed adjacent to said securement member.

Claim 17

The device of claim 11 wherein said doubled-back suture end portion is sufficiently constricted by said shrunken securement member so as not to pull through said securement member during ligation procedures.

Claim 18

The device of claim 6 wherein said shaft member comprises a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion, said shaft portions connected at a weakened section, and one of said suture end portions is secured to one of said shaft portions.

Claim 19

A looped suture ligature comprising: a) a suture having a body portion and at least one end portion; b) a substantially tubular member surrounding a portion of said suture body portion and said end portion to define a loop and to slidably secure said suture body portion relative to said suture end portion, said tubular member comprising a heat shrinkable material and a single aperture passing therethrough, each said suture portions passing through said single aperture.

Claim 20

A looped suture ligature comprising: a) a suture having a body portion and at least one end portion; b) a substantially tubular member surrounding a portion of said suture body portion and said end portion to define a loop and to slidably secure said suture body portion relative to said suture end portion, said tubular member comprising a heat shrinkable material and a single aperture passing therethrough, each said suture portions passing through said single aperture.

Claim 21

The ligature of claim 16 wherein said shrinkable material comprises polyvinylidene fluoride.

Claim 22

The ligature of claim 16 further comprising a knot in said end portion formed about said suture body portion.

Claim 23

The ligature of claim 18 wherein said knot is disposed within said tubular member.

Claim 24

The ligature of claim 18 wherein said knot is disposed adjacent to said tubular member.

Claim 25

The ligature of claim 16 wherein said suture body portion is slidable within said tubular member so as to permit a decrease in the size of said loop portion.