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US 2019/0053795 A1Published application
Shape-memory suture
AssigneeAsfora IP, LLC
InventorsWilson Theophilo Asfora, Michael Edward Villalta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure is related to a suture that is configured to connect two or more tissue portions. The suture may include shape-memory material. For example, the suture may be reconfigurable between loaded and relaxed states; when in the loaded state, the suture may be open, such that at least one end of the suture may be positioned adjacent to at least one tissue portion of the portions that are intended for connection by the suture.
Claims20
A suture, comprising:
- a connector that includes:
- a neck, and
- a head having a tip and a base having a width that is wider than the neck in a transverse direction, the head tapering from the base to the tip such that the head is configured to pierce animal tissue;
- a clasp including sheet material that defines an opening that, in a transverse direction, is narrower than the width of the base of the head, the clasp being resilient to allow the opening to elastically expand in the transverse direction upon passing the head therethrough and contract about the neck to secure the connector to the clasp;
- and
- a body connecting the connector to the clasp, the body being made of a shape-memory material.
3 more elements
A suture, comprising:
- a connector that includes:
- a neck, and
- a head connected to the neck, the head including:
- a tip, and
- a base having a width that is wider than the neck in a transverse direction, the head tapering from the base to the tip such that the head is configured to pierce animal tissue;
- a clasp including sheet material that defines an opening that is sized and configured to secure the connector to the clasp;
- one or more edge-stops connected to the neck and spaced from the base of the head, the one or more edge-stops together with the base of the head defining a tissue-capture portion of the neck;
- and
- a body connecting the connector to the clasp, the body being made of a shape-memory material.
6 more elements
A method of connecting two or more tissue portions, the method comprising:
- positioning a suture adjacent to at least one of the two or more tissue portions, the suture being in a loaded state and including:
- a connector that includes:
- a neck, and
- a head having a tip and a base having a width that is wider than the neck in a transverse direction, the head tapering from the base to the tip such that the head is configured to pierce animal tissue;
- a clasp including sheet material that defines an opening that, in a transverse direction, is narrower than the width of the base of the head, the clasp being resilient to allow the opening to elastically expand in the transverse direction upon passing the head therethrough and contract about the neck to secure the connector to the clasp;
- a body connecting the connector to the clasp;
- and
- releasing the suture from the loaded state, and thereby piercing the two or more tissue portions with the piercing tip of the connector.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.