Precision Suturing for Optimal Surgical Outcomes
Introduction
In surgical procedures, especially those involving soft tissue repair, precision and control are paramount for ensuring successful outcomes and minimizing complications. Surgeons rely heavily on tools that allow them to pass sutures through tissue with ease and accuracy. Traditional methods of suturing can be time-consuming, prone to human error, and sometimes fail to deliver the necessary precision, particularly in complex or minimally invasive surgeries. Our patented method and apparatus for passing suture through tissue provides surgeons with a tool that enhances both efficiency and accuracy in the operating room.
Addressing Limitations in Current Suturing Techniques
Conventional suturing techniques often require a high level of manual dexterity, which can lead to inconsistencies and increased procedural time. This is particularly true in surgeries where access to tissue is restricted or where delicate structures, such as tendons or ligaments, must be repaired. The challenges of suturing in such scenarios can increase the risk of complications, lead to prolonged recovery times, or necessitate further procedures to correct errors. Surgeons need a tool that not only simplifies the process but also ensures consistent and reliable results across a range of surgical applications.
A New Approach to Suturing
Our innovative suturing apparatus is designed to overcome the challenges faced by surgeons when passing sutures through tissue. It enables a more controlled and precise method for threading sutures, reducing the risk of error and minimizing tissue trauma. This apparatus is particularly well-suited for minimally invasive surgeries, where space is limited and precision is key. By streamlining the suturing process, this tool helps reduce overall procedure time, improve patient outcomes, and minimize postoperative complications.
The intuitive design ensures that it can be easily integrated into standard surgical workflows, allowing surgeons to maintain control without the need for additional tools or adjustments. Its versatility also makes it applicable for a wide range of surgical specialties, including orthopedics, general surgery, and plastic surgery.
Why This Suturing Tool is a Game-Changer
- Precision and Control: The apparatus allows for greater accuracy when passing sutures through tissue, reducing the likelihood of errors and improving surgical outcomes.
- Reduced Procedure Time: By streamlining the suturing process, the tool helps minimize time spent in surgery, which can lead to shorter anesthesia times and faster patient recovery.
- Versatility Across Procedures: From minimally invasive surgeries to open repairs, this tool offers broad utility for various surgical applications, making it a valuable asset for any operating room.
- Minimized Tissue Trauma: The controlled nature of the tool reduces the risk of damaging surrounding tissue, which is critical for patient recovery and long-term success.
A Must-Have for Modern Surgery
Licensing this suturing method and apparatus provides hospitals, surgical centers, and medical device companies with an advanced tool that improves both surgical precision and patient care. It’s an essential addition to any surgical toolkit, offering reliability, ease of use, and enhanced outcomes in procedures that require tissue repair.
A suture passer comprising: a hollow tube, the hollow tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end; and a clamping rod slidably received in the lumen of the hollow tube, the clamping rod comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being bifurcated into a first arm and a second arm, one of the first and second arms extending distally of the other of the first and second arms and including a clamping surface; wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm comprises a friction-enhancing surface for facilitating manipulation of a suture via engagement of the suture with the friction-enhancing surface.
What is claimed is:
1. A method for passing suture through an object, the method comprising:
providing a suture passer comprising:
a hollow tube, the hollow tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end; and
a clamping rod slidably received in the lumen of the hollow tube, the clamping rod comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being bifurcated into a first arm and a second arm, one of the first and second arms extending distally of the other of the first and second arms and including a clamping surface;
wherein the hollow tube comprises a cutaway formed at the distal end of the hollow tube, the cutaway communicating with the lumen, wherein the cutaway is formed by a pair of substantially longitudinally-extending edges having distal ends and proximal ends, wherein the pair of substantially longitudinally-extending edges terminate in at least one connecting edge at the proximal ends of the substantially longitudinally-extending edges, and further wherein the pair of longitudinally-extending edges are offset from the apex of the at least one connecting edge by a distance which is at least as great as the diameter of the suture;
wherein the second arm is outwardly biased such that when the clamping rod is moved distally so that the distal end of the second arm is adjacent to the cutaway, the distal end of the second arm extends outwardly through the cutaway; and
wherein when the clamping rod is moved proximally, a suture engaging the clamping surface is pulled proximally against the at least one connecting edge of the cutaway;
positioning the clamping rod so that the second arm extends out of the hollow tube;
positioning at least one of the suture passer and the suture so that the suture is disposed between the first arm and the second arm;
moving the clamping rod proximally so that the clamping surface clamps the suture to the at least one connecting edge of the cutaway; and
moving the suture passer so that the suture is passed through the object.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first arm includes the clamping surface.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the clamping surface faces proximally.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the second arm is outwardly biased so as to extend at an angle of 10-120 degrees to the adjacent longitudinal axis of the hollow tube when the second arm extends out of the cutaway.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the second arm is outwardly biased so as to extend at an angle of 30-90 degrees to the adjacent longitudinal axis of the hollow tube when the second arm extends out of the cutaway.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the distal end of the first arm projects out of the hollow tube when the second arm projects out of the cutaway.
7. A method according to claim 1 wherein
the hollow tube comprises a pointed distal end, and
further wherein the first arm comprises a distal end and a proximal end, and further wherein the distal end of the first arm is substantially blunt.
8. A method according to claim 1
wherein the second arm is configured to releasably hold a suture to the distal end thereof.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the second arm comprises a finger projecting from the distal end of the second arm.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the finger is disposed to sit laterally adjacent to a suture engaging the distal end of the second arm.
11. A method according to claim 8 wherein the distal end of the second arm comprises a spike for releasably engaging a suture.
12. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of moving the clamping rod distally so that the distal end of the second arm moves the suture away from the hollow tube.
13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one connecting edge comprises a recess for seating a suture.
14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the distal ends of the pair of longitudinally-extending edges terminate at the distal end of the hollow tube.
15. A method for passing suture through an object, the method comprising:
providing a suture passer comprising:
a hollow tube, the hollow tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end; and
a clamping rod slidably received in the lumen of the hollow tube, the clamping rod comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being bifurcated into a first arm and a second arm, one of the first and second arms extending distally of the other of the first and second arms and including a clamping surface;
wherein the hollow tube comprises a cutaway formed at the distal end of the hollow tube, the cutaway communicating with the lumen, wherein the cutaway is formed by a pair of substantially longitudinally-extending edges having distal ends and proximal ends, wherein the pair of substantially longitudinally-extending edges terminate in at least one connecting edge at the proximal ends of the substantially longitudinally-extending edges, and further wherein the pair of longitudinally-extending edges are offset from the apex of the at least one connecting edge by a distance which is at least as great as one quarter of the diameter of the hollow tube;
wherein the second arm is outwardly biased such that when the clamping rod is moved distally so that the distal end of the second arm is adjacent to the cutaway, the distal end of the second arm extends outwardly through the cutaway; and
wherein when the clamping rod is moved proximally, a suture engaging the clamping surface is pulled proximally against the at least one connecting edge of the cutaway;
positioning the clamping rod so that the second arm extends out of the hollow tube;
positioning at least one of the suture passer and the suture so that the suture is disposed between the first arm and the second arm;
moving the clamping rod proximally so that the clamping surface clamps the suture to the at least one connecting edge of the cutaway; and
moving the suture passer so that the suture is passed through the object.
16. A method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of moving the clamping rod distally so that the distal end of the second arm moves the suture away from the hollow tube.
17. A method according to claim 15 wherein the first arm includes the clamping surface.
18. A method according to claim 15 wherein the clamping surface faces proximally.
19. A method according to claim 15 wherein the second arm is outwardly biased so as to extend at an angle of 10-120 degrees to the adjacent longitudinal axis of the hollow tube when the second arm extends out of the cutaway.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the second arm is outwardly biased so as to extend at an angle of 30-90 degrees to the adjacent longitudinal axis of the hollow tube when the second arm extends out of the cutaway.
21. A method according to claim 15 wherein the distal end of the first arm projects out of the hollow tube when the second arm projects out of the cutaway.
22. A method according to claim 15 wherein the hollow tube comprises a pointed distal end, and further wherein the first arm comprises a distal end and a proximal end, and further wherein the distal end of the first arm is substantially blunt.
23. A method according to claim 15 wherein the second arm is configured to releasably hold a suture to the distal end thereof.
24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the second arm comprises a finger projecting from the distal end of the second arm.
25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the finger is disposed to sit laterally adjacent to a suture engaging the distal end of the second arm.
26. A method according to claim 23 wherein the distal end of the second arm comprises a spike for releasably engaging a suture.
27. A method according to claim 15 wherein the at least one connecting edge comprises a recess for seating a suture.
28. A method according to claim 15 wherein the distal ends of the pair of longitudinally-extending edges terminate at the distal end of the hollow tube.
29. A method for passing suture through an object, the method comprising:
providing a suture passer comprising:
a hollow tube, the hollow tube comprising a pointed distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end; and
a clamping rod slidably received in the lumen of the hollow tube, the clamping rod comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being bifurcated into a first arm and a second arm, the first arm extending distally of the second arm and including a clamping surface, and the second arm being outwardly biased such that when the clamping rod is moved distally so that the distal end of the second arm extends out of the distal end of the hollow tube, the distal end of the second arm extends laterally of the hollow tube, and wherein the second arm is configured to releasably hold a suture to the distal end thereof;
wherein the distal end of the second arm comprises a recess for releasably seating a suture therein, and further wherein the recess is formed by a first finger and an opposing second finger, with the suture being releasably seated between the first finger and the second finger;
positioning the clamping rod so that the second arm extends out of the distal end of the hollow tube;
positioning at least one of the suture passer and the suture so that the suture is disposed between the first arm and the second arm;
moving the clamping rod proximally so that the clamping surface clamps the suture to the hollow tube;
moving the suture passer so that the suture is passed through the object; and
moving the clamping rod distally so that the distal end of the second arm moves the suture away from the hollow tube.
30. A method according to claim 29 wherein the first finger and the second finger have substantially equal lengths.
31. A method according to claim 29 wherein the second finger is shorter than the first finger.
32. A method according to claim 29 wherein the second finger is proximal to the first finger when the clamping rod is moved distally.
33. A method according to claim 29 wherein the clamping surface faces proximally.
34. A method according to claim 29 wherein the second arm is outwardly biased so as to extend at an angle of 10-120 degrees to the adjacent longitudinal axis of the hollow tube when the second arm extends out of the hollow tube.
35. A method according to claim 34 wherein the second arm is outwardly biased so as to extend at an angle of 30-90 degrees to the adjacent longitudinal axis of the hollow tube when the second arm extends out of the hollow tube.
36. A method according to claim 29 wherein the distal end of the first arm projects out of the hollow tube when the second arm projects out of the hollow tube.
37. A method according to claim 29 wherein the hollow tube comprises a pointed distal end, and further wherein the first arm comprises a distal end and a proximal end, and further wherein the distal end of the first arm is substantially blunt.
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Title
Method and apparatus for passing suture through tissue
Inventor(s)
Daren Stewart, Roger Pisarnwongs, James Flom
Assignee(s)
Stryker Corp
Patent #
9931114
Patent Date
April 3, 2018