Method and device for securing body tissue
View Patent ↗A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.
1. A surgical device for securing tissue comprising:
an energy transmission member configured to contact a retainer;
a tubular member including a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member is movable along a linear path relative to the energy transmission member from a first position to a second position, the tubular member configured to engage a periphery of the retainer to position the retainer substantially transverse to a longitudinal central axis of the energy transmission member, the distal end tubular member having a flange configured such that a retainer is positionable between the flange and the energy transmission member; and
a transducer positioned in the surgical device and operably connected to the energy transmission member to deliver energy to the retainer through the energy transmission member.
2. The surgical device according to claim 1 , further comprising a bias member configured to bias at least one of the energy transmission member and the tubular member.
3. The surgical device according to claim 2 , wherein the bias member imparts a compressive force of between about 1 lb. and 20 lbs. on the retainer.
4. The surgical device according to claim 1 , wherein the energy transmission member is an acoustic horn.
5. The surgical device according to claim 4 , wherein the transducer provides ultrasonic energy.
6. The surgical device according to claim 5 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is provided through an end portion of the acoustic horn.
7. The surgical device according to claim 1 , wherein the transducer provides energy that is at least one of radio frequency (RF) energy, laser energy, microwave energy, ultrasound energy, and contact heating energy.
8. The surgical device according to claim 7 , wherein the transducer provides energy through an end portion of the energy transmission member.
9. A surgical device for securing tissue comprising:
an energy transmission member configured to contact a retainer;
a tubular member including a proximal end and a tubular end and configured to receive at least a portion of the retainer, the tubular member being slidably positionable over at least a portion of the energy transmission member and configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the energy transmission member the distal end of the tubular member having a flange configured such that a retainer is positionable between the flange and the energy transmission member;
a transducer operably connected to the energy transmission member to deliver energy to the retainer through the energy transmission member;
an actuated switch that enables transmission of energy through the energy transmission member; and
a safety switch operably connected to the transducer and configured to limit delivery of energy when the tubular member is in the second position.
10. The surgical device according to claim 9 , wherein the tubular member includes a gapped portion configured to receive the retainer.
11. The surgical device according to claim 9 , further comprising an actuator configured release the retainer.
12. The surgical device according to claim 9 , further comprising a bias member biasing the tubular member into the first position.
13. The surgical device according to claim 12 , wherein the bias member imparts a compressive force of between about 1 lb. and 20 lbs. on the retainer.
14. The surgical device according to claim 9 , wherein the energy transmission member is an acoustic horn.
15. The surgical device according to claim 14 , wherein the transducer provides ultrasonic energy.
16. A surgical device for securing tissue comprising:
an energy transmission member configured to contact a retainer;
a force transmitting member movable with the respect to the energy transmission member from a first position to a second position, the force transmitting member having a flange disposed on a distal end of the force transmitting member;
an elongated insulation sleeve movable with respect to both the energy transmission and force transmitting members; and
a transducer operably connected to the energy transmission member to deliver energy to the retainer,
wherein the elongated insulation sleeve is further positionable to cover a gap between an end surface of the energy transmission member and the flange of the force transmitting member to limit the application of energy from the transducer to suture and adjacent tissue.
17. The surgical device according to claim 16 , wherein the force transmitting member is movable along a linear path relative to the energy transmission member.
18. The surgical device according to claim 16 , wherein the energy transmission and force transmitting members are spaced to receive a retainer therebetween in the second position and the energy transmission and force transmitting members are configured to apply a compressive force to the retainer in the first position.
19. The surgical device according to claim 18 , wherein the force transmitting member has a body and the elongated insulation sleeve moves independently of movement of the body of the force transmitting member.