# US 12,178,697 B2 · Methods and devices for tensioning grafts

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- Number: US 12,178,697 B2
- Document ID: US12178697B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/577,490
- Filed: 2022-01-18
- Published: 2022-05-26
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2016-06-30
- Assignees: Medos International Sarl
- Applicants: Medos International Sarl
- Inventors: James J. Mahoney, Jr.; Nathaniel H. Henderson; Kevin John Zylka; Jacob A. Marks; Arthur Stephen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178697B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/0805: {Implements for inserting tendons or ligaments}
- A61B 17/0401: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)}
- A61F 2/0811: {Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments}
- A61B 2017/0496: {for tensioning sutures}
- A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Various exemplary methods and devices for tensioning grafts are provided. In general, a surgical device can include a grip and a frame. The frame can have two opposed segments. The segments can be spaced apart from one another and can each be configured to have at least one suture attached thereto. The sutures attached to the frame can each be configured to attach to a graft. The two segments can be configured to dynamically move toward and away from each other in response to tension that is applied to the sutures attached to the frame. The frame can include an indicator configured to provide an indication of the tension applied to the sutures. The grip can have at least one opening therein. The at least one opening can be configured to have a surgical instrument passed therethrough.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical device, comprising:
a grip configured to be held by a user, the grip including at least one opening formed therein and configured to allow passage of a surgical instrument therethrough;
a frame formed of opposed and diverging first and second segments, the first and second frame segments connected to each other at one end by a first flexure and a second flexure, the grip connected to the first flexure at a first end and connected to the second flexure at a second end, and the first and second frame segments being separated at an opposite end by a variable angle, each of the first and second frame segments having at least one suture retention mechanism formed thereon wherein each suture retention mechanism is configured to removably receive and engage a suture strand; and
a tension indicator operably coupled to at least one of the first and second frame segments and viewable from a position proximal to the grip, the tension indicator being configured to provide a representation of a magnitude of a tension applied to the first and second frame segments to decrease the variable angle, the magnitude of the tension being visible on the indicator.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the tension indicator is viewable through the at least one opening.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The surgical device of claim 2, wherein the tension indicator includes a first indicator segment and a second indicator segment configured to facilitate visualization of the indicator regardless of an angular orientation at which the user holds the device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The surgical device of claim 3, wherein the position of the first indicator segment and the second indicator segment relative to each other provides the indication of the tension applied to the frame.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The surgical device of claim 3, wherein the first indicator segment is one of a top or bottom indicator segment and the second indicator segment is the other of the top or bottom indicator segment.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The surgical device of claim 5, wherein at least one of the top or bottom indicator segments is viewable from a users position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The surgical device of claim 6, wherein the indicator is configured to indicate any one of a plurality of predetermined tension values.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The surgical device of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of sutures, wherein each of the sutures is configured to be removably secured to one of the suture retention mechanisms.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The surgical device of claim 8, wherein the indicator is configured to provide an indication of the tension applied to the plurality of sutures.