Method and Apparatus for Forming a Suture Connector In Situ

摘要

A system for forming a suture connector in situ includes a suture connector placement device having a handle, an outer shaft, an intermediate shaft, and a push rod, and a suture connector having a sleeve and a plug. The intermediate shaft is slidingly disposed through a lumen of the outer shaft, and the push rod is slidingly disposed through a lumen of the intermediate shaft. When the suture connector is in a loaded configuration within the suture connector placement device, the sleeve is radially disposed over the intermediate shaft and the plug is positioned proximal to the sleeve within the lumen of the intermediate shaft. Distal advancement of the push rod moves the plug into the sleeve and proximal retraction of the intermediate shaft releases the resilient sleeve onto the plug, thereby securing two suture portions between the sleeve and the plug. The system is then utilized to trim the suture portions.

主权项

1. A system for forming a suture connector in situ comprising:
a suture connector placement device including,
a handle having an actuation mechanism,an outer shaft defining a lumen from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, wherein the proximal end of the outer shaft is coupled to the handle and wherein the outer shaft includes a side opening;an intermediate shaft defining a lumen from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, wherein the intermediate shaft is slidingly disposed within the lumen of the outer shaft with the proximal end of the intermediate shaft being coupled to the actuation mechanism of the handle,a push rod slidingly disposed within the lumen of the intermediate shaft, wherein the proximal end of the push rod is coupled to the actuation mechanism of the handle; and a suture connector including a sleeve and a plug,
wherein when the suture connector is in a loaded configuration, the sleeve of the suture connector is disposed on an outer surface of the intermediate shaft via an interference fit there-between and extends from the distal end of the outer shaft and the plug of the suture connector is slidably disposed within the lumen of the intermediate shaft proximal of the sleeve.