Variable Denier Yarn And Suture
Patent No. US11116498 (titled "Variable Denier Yarn And Suture") was filed by Cfip2 Strr Llc on Nov 10, 2014.
What is this patent about?
’498 is related to the field of surgical sutures, specifically addressing the challenge of achieving secure locking in suture locks, particularly in minimally invasive procedures. Traditional sutures often struggle to fully engage with suture locks, leading to potential slippage or loosening. This is because the suture needs to be thin enough to pass through the lock's opening, especially when doubled over to form a traction loop, but a thicker suture is desirable for better tissue grip and lock engagement.
The underlying idea behind ’498 is to create a suture with variable denier along its length. One end of the suture has a smaller diameter to facilitate easy threading through a suture lock, while the main body of the suture has a larger diameter to provide a secure fit and prevent slippage once locked. This is achieved by varying the number of strands in the braided suture, with a gradual transition between the thinner and thicker sections.
The claims of ’498 focus on a method of suturing using a variable denier suture. Specifically, claim 1 covers inserting a distal tip of a first end segment directly through a traction loop, folding the first end segment over on itself, pulling the doubled first end segment through an opening in a suture lock, and continuing to pull the first end segment until a second, higher-denier segment extends through the opening, locking the suture in place. Claim 19 focuses on threading a first end of a suture through tissue, wrapping the first segment through a traction loop, pulling the folded over first segment through a suture lock, and continuing to pull the first segment until the second segment extends through the suture lock to lock the suture in place.
In practice, the surgeon would thread the thinner end of the suture through a needle and pass it through the tissue to be repaired. The thinner end is then folded over a traction loop and pulled through the opening of a suture lock. As the surgeon continues to pull, the thicker segment of the suture is drawn into the lock, filling the space more completely and creating a tighter, more secure fit . The gradual transition in denier ensures that the suture doesn't snag or bunch up as it's being pulled through the lock.
This approach differs from prior solutions that rely on sutures with a uniform diameter. By strategically varying the denier, ’498 optimizes both the threading and locking phases of suturing. The smaller diameter end allows for easy passage through tight spaces, while the larger diameter body ensures a robust and reliable lock . This is particularly advantageous in minimally invasive procedures where space is limited and secure locking is critical for successful outcomes.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2010s when ’498 was filed, sutures were typically implemented with uniform denier along their length. At a time when surgical procedures commonly relied on sutures with consistent diameter, achieving optimal suture-tissue interaction and secure locking within surgical instruments presented a non-trivial engineering constraint. The need for sutures to simultaneously fit through small instrument openings and provide sufficient strength and stability was a widely recognized challenge.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the claims because prior art (Foerster US 6296659, Spedden et al. US 2009/0318962, and Grafton US 20050192631) did not disclose or suggest a suture with a first segment comprising braided strands in a first braid and a second segment having more strands braided in a tubular braid continuous with the first, resulting in a greater denier in the second segment. Also, prior art failed to disclose a suture having a second segment with a denier at least twice that of the first segment, along with a transition zone comprising distal ends of the second strands.
Claims
This patent includes 34 claims, with claims 1 and 19 being independent. The independent claims are directed to methods of suturing using sutures with varying denier segments and traction loops. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, materials, or steps of the methods described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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Date
Description
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US11116498
- Application Number
- US14537719
- Filing Date
- Nov 10, 2014
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Sep 3, 2033
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents