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US 2015/0032169 A1Published application
Flexible obturator
AssigneeArthrex, Inc.
InventorsAllen E. Holowecky, Derek C. Sullivan, Donald K. Shuler, James J. Guerra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible obturator configured to dilate soft tissue without abrading the adjacent bone surface area. The flexible obturator consists of at least one flexible strand (for example, flexible wire, suture or similar malleable flexible material) that is overmolded with a material that allows the device to bend/flex in multiple planes. The overmolded material has an increasing taper to provide graduated dilation through soft tissue.
Claims18
A surgical flexible obturator for dilating tissue, the obturator consisting of:
- at least one flexible strand forming at least one loop at one end;
- and
- an overmolded material surrounding at least a part of the at least one flexible strand, the overmolded material being adjacent the at least one loop at one end, the overmolded material extending along a length of the flexible strand.
A method of AC joint repair, comprising the steps of:
- providing an internal fixation device comprising a first member with a first configuration and provided with a plurality of first apertures;
- a second member with a second configuration and provided with a plurality of second apertures;
- and a flexible coupling between the first and second members, the flexible coupling being looped through the plurality of first and second apertures;
- securing the first and second members on or adjacent to the clavicle and the coracoid, respectively;
- reducing the distance between the clavicle and the coracoid;
- passing a flexible strand around the coracoid;
- securing the flexible strand to a flexible obturator consisting of at least one flexible strand forming at least one loop at one end;
- and
- a molded material surrounding at least a part of the at least one flexible strand, the molded material being adjacent the at least one loop, the overmolded material extending along a length of the flexible strand and completely surrounding the length of the flexible strand;
- and
- shuttling the flexible obturator around the coracoid to dilate soft tissue.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.