초록 ▼

A suture lock according to the present invention sufficiently secures a suture thread in place in a quick and efficient manner. It eliminates the need for a laparoscopic surgeon to tie complex or multi-step knots. The suture lock generally comprises a suture lock body having a suture channel that al

A suture lock according to the present invention sufficiently secures a suture thread in place in a quick and efficient manner. It eliminates the need for a laparoscopic surgeon to tie complex or multi-step knots. The suture lock generally comprises a suture lock body having a suture channel that allows a suture thread to be drawn into the suture lock body. A plurality of teeth extends into an opening of the suture channel in such a manner that an inserted suture thread will be locked in place. In addition, a guide portion eases insertion of a suture thread free end by simplifying relative rotational adjustment of the lock. An embodiment of the suture lock may be fabricated from a material or materials that naturally dissolve within the human body.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A suture lock comprising: a suture lock body havinga front surface generally opposed from a back surface,a left surface extending at least partially between and coupled to said front surface and said back surface,a right surface generally opposed from said left surface, said right surface and sai

1. A suture lock comprising: a suture lock body havinga front surface generally opposed from a back surface,a left surface extending at least partially between and coupled to said front surface and said back surface,a right surface generally opposed from said left surface, said right surface and said left surface defining a width therebetween,a bottom surface extending between and coupled to said front surface and said back surface, and extending between and coupled to said right surface and said left surface, anda top surface generally opposed from said bottom surface, said top surface and said bottom surface defining a height therebetween;a first channel formed in said right surface, said first channel extending longitudinally through said top surface and through said bottom surface, said first channel extending laterally between said front surface and said back surface, said first channel extending between a first open end at said right surface and a first terminal end, and said first channel defining generally opposed front and back right guide wings;a suture locking mechanism disposed in said first channel comprising a plurality of teeth, at least two of said plurality of teeth having converging longitudinal edges; anda suture attachment site separated from said suture locking mechanism, said suture attachment site comprising a through bore extending through said left surface and through said back right guide wing. 2. A suture lock according to claim 1, said plurality of teeth comprising at least one pair of symmetrical teeth. 3. A suture lock according to claim 2, said plurality of teeth comprising a plurality of pairs of symmetrical teeth. 4. A suture lock according to claim 1, said converging longitudinal edges being at least substantially coplanar. 5. A suture lock according to claim 1, said through bore being formed along a longitudinal bore axis, said longitudinal bore axis disposed at a through bore angle relative to said bottom surface. 6. A suture lock according to claim 5, said longitudinal bore axis being oriented substantially perpendicular skew to said converging longitudinal edges of said at least two teeth. 7. A suture lock according to claim 5, said through bore angle comprising an angle of between about zero degrees and about forty-five degrees. 8. A suture lock according to claim 7, said through bore angle comprising an angle of about twenty-five degrees. 9. A suture lock according to claim 8, said suture lock further comprising a suture thread extending at least partially through said through bore, said suture thread being affixed to said suture lock body. 10. A suture lock according to claim 9, said suture thread being affixed to said suture lock body by adhesive. 11. A suture lock according to claim 1, said front right guide wing and said back right guide wing being asymmetric. 12. A suture lock according to claim 11, said front right guide wing comprising a sloped top surface. 13. A suture lock according to claim 1, said first open end being laterally wider than said first terminal end. 14. A suture lock according to claim 1, said suture lock comprising a material that naturally dissolves within a human body. 15. A suture lock according to claim 1, said suture lock body comprising a unitary body. 16. The suture lock according to claim 1, at least two of said teeth located closer to said first terminal end than said first open end. 17. The suture lock according to claim 16, at least two pairs of said teeth located closer to said first terminal end than to said first open end. 18. A suture lock according to claim 1, said locking mechanism comprising a predetermined grit of abrasive bonded to at least a portion of said first channel. 19. A suture lock comprising: a suture lock body having:a front surface generally opposed from a back surface,a left surface extending at least partially between and coupled to said front surface and said back surface,a right surface generally opposed from said left surface, said right surface and said left surface defining a width therebetween,a bottom surface extending between and coupled to said front surface and said back surface, and extending between and coupled to said right surface and said left surface, anda top surface generally opposed from said bottom surface, said top surface and said bottom surface defining a height therebetween;a first channel formed in said right surface, said first channel extending longitudinally through said top surface and through said bottom surface, said first channel extending laterally between said front surface and said back surface, said first channel extending between a first open end at said right surface and a first terminal end, and said first channel defining generally opposed front and back right guide wings;a second channel formed in said top surface, said second channel extending longitudinally through said left surface and through said terminal end of said first channel, said second channel extending laterally between said front surface and said back surface, said second channel extending between a second open end at said top surface and a second terminal end, and said second channel forming generally opposed front and back top guide wings;a suture locking mechanism disposed in said first channel; anda suture attachment site separated from said suture locking mechanism. 20. A suture lock according to claim 19, said first open end being laterally wider than said first terminal end, and said second open end being laterally wider than said second terminal end. 21. A suture lock according to claim 19, said height measured through said front top guide wing being less than said height measured through said back top guide wing.