Apparatus and Methods for Loading a Closing Device
A method and apparatus are disclosed for loading a closing device onto a delivery device at the point of use. The apparatus may include a cartridge comprising an anchor holding feature for holding one or more anchors of the closing device; and an anchor loading feature for loading the one or more anchors onto the delivery device. The anchors may include tabs such as suture tabs. Embodiments of methods of loading the closing device onto a delivery device at the point of use are also disclosed.
1 . A method of treating an intervertebral disc the method comprising:
loading a closing device into a delivery device at a point of use, the closing device comprising one or more tabs coupled to a connecting element, the one or more tabs comprising one or more substantially flexible tabs; and
substantially approximating a defect in the intervertebral disc using the one or more substantially flexible tabs and the connecting element of the closing device delivered by the delivery device.
2 . A cartridge for loading a closing device onto a delivery device at a point of use, the cartridge comprising:
a tab holding feature for holding one or more tabs of the closing device, the one or more tabs comprising one or more substantially flexible tabs; and
a tab loading feature for loading tabs onto the delivery device.
3 . The cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the one or more tabs comprise one or more suture tabs.
4 . The cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the one or more tabs comprise one or more suture knots for forming into one or more suture tabs.
5 .- 8 . (canceled)
9 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the one or more tabs comprise a substantially flexible tab.
10 .- 15 . (canceled)
16 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the one or more suture knots comprise a cylindrical suture knot.
17 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the one or more suture knots comprise a random configuration.
18 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the one or more suture knots comprise an ordered configuration.
19 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the one or more suture knots comprise one or more suture coils.
20 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the one or more suture knots comprise one or more substantially solid suture knots.
21 . The cartridge of claim 100 , wherein the one or more suture knots comprises a suture knot having a substantially low density.
22 . (canceled)
23 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the one or more suture knots comprise a substantially round shaped configuration.
24 . The cartridge of claim 100 , wherein the one or more suture knots comprises a substantially rectangular shaped configuration.
25 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the one or more suture knots comprise combinations of multiple shape configurations.
26 .- 98 . (canceled)
99 . The cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the cartridge comprises the closing device.
100 . A closing device for delivery into an intervertebral disc comprising a defect, the closing device comprising:
one or more tabs coupled to a strand of suture, the one or more tabs comprising one or more suture tabs; and
each of the one or more suture tabs comprising a suture construct that comprises one or more suture knots that are collapsed to form the suture tab;
wherein the closing device comprises substantially of suture and is usable to approximate a defect within the intervertebral disc, in order to substantially close the deflect.
101 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the suture construct comprises a suture knot that is formed into the suture tab.
102 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the suture construct comprises a series of suture knots that are collapsed to form the suture tab.
103 . The closing device of claim 100 , wherein the suture construct comprises a plurality of suture loops that are collapsed to form the suture tab.
104 . The closing device of claim 101 , wherein the suture construct comprises:
a second strand of suture and suture loops formed thereby that are formed over the suture knot;
wherein the suture knot is collapsed to form the suture tab and wherein the second strand of suture and the suture loops formed thereby are held captive within the collapsed suture knot to form the suture tab.