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US 12,690,967 B2Granted
Suture tension distribution
AssigneeEdwards Lifesciences Corporation
InventorsLynn T. Dang, Emily Cheng Zhou, Javier A. Sanguinetti, Hao-Chung Yang
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Abstract
A tension-distribution device includes a rotationally-symmetric structure and two or more suture-engagement features associated with the rotationally-symmetric structure, the suture-engagement features being configured to receive one or more suture portions therein. The two or more suture-engagement features are evenly spaced rotationally about an axial center of the rotationally-symmetric structure.
Claims9
A method for tensioning sutures in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising:
- providing a rotationally-symmetric tension-distribution device including:
- a first plate, and
- a dome-shaped fulcrum projecting from the first plate and configured to facilitate tilting of the first plate about a center of the fulcrum, the fulcrum having a lateral extent that is smaller than the first plate such that a rim of the first plate extends radially outward beyond the fulcrum;
- engaging one or more first suture portions with a first suture-engagement feature associated with a first circumferential position of the rim of the first plate radially outside of the fulcrum;
- engaging one or more second suture portions with a second suture-engagement feature associated with a second circumferential position of the rim of the first plate that is on an opposite side of the first plate from the first circumferential position;
- and
- adjusting tension of the one or more first suture portions and tension of the one or more second suture portions at least in part by permitting the first plate to tilt about the fulcrum of the tension-distribution device in response to greater tension in the one or more first suture portions compared to the one or more second suture portions.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.