Compact line locks and methods
AssigneeMedicineLodge, Inc.
InventorsT. Fallin, M. Sinnott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A line lock includes a body at least partially bounding two passageways that cooperate to receive a locking portion of a line such as a suture in such a manner that the locking portion can only be drawn through the passageways along one direction. A second suture locking portion may also received by the passageways, or by one of the two passageways in combination with a third passageway. The body may have an elongated, compact shape that is easily implantable in the body.
Claims20
A system for retaining tissue, the system comprising:
- a line lock comprising a body formed of a biocompatible material, the body at least partially bounding a plurality of passageways;
- wherein the plurality of passageways comprises two substantially bounded passageways that cooperate to receive a first locking portion of a line such that the first locking portion is able to be drawn along a first pathway through the two passageways substantially along only a first direction;
- wherein the plurality of passageways is further configured to receive a second locking portion of the line along a second pathway different from the first pathway to facilitate coupling of the second locking portion to the body.
A system for retaining tissue, the system comprising:
- a line lock comprising a body formed of a biocompatible material, the body at least partially bounding a plurality of passageways, the body having an elongated shape with a longitudinal length having a first end and a second end;
- wherein the first end is configured to receive a first locking portion of a line to lockably retain the first locking portion at any of a plurality of positions of the first end along the first locking portion;
- wherein the second end is configured to receive a second locking portion of the line to lockably retain the second locking portion at any of a plurality of positions of the second end along the second locking portion.
A method of retaining a first tissue through the use of a line comprising a first locking portion and a second locking portion, and a line lock comprising a body that at least partially bounds a plurality of passageways, the method comprising:
- encircling the first tissue with a standing portion of the line, wherein the standing portion is positioned between the first and second locking portions along a length of the line;
- moving the first locking portion along a first pathway through two substantially bounded passageways of the plurality of passageways;
- moving the second locking portion along a second pathway through at least one passageway of the plurality of passageways;
- locking the first locking portion such that the first locking portion is able to be drawn along the first pathway substantially only along a first direction;
- and
- coupling the second locking portion to the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.