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US4781191A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for enabling atraumatic passage of a severed tendon through a tendon sheath

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-01-07
•
Granted: 1988-11-01
•
Expires: 2008-01-07
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Abstract

Abstract There is provided a method for enabling the placement of a severed tendon to a position in its associated sheath to be repaired or passing a tendon end through any small enclosed space. An elongated, flexible hollow tube with openings at both ends, and is received in the sheath. The tube has two sections with one section being somewhat rigid, although flexible, while the other section is thin, collapsible, and flares out. The flared section receives an end portion of the severed tendon. The opening in the end of the more rigid section is connected to a source of suction. The suction holds the tendon in place within the tube and causes the flared section to collapse tightly about the end portion of the tendon. The tube and the tendon are pulled through the sheath to the place where it was severed for repair. A specialized pair of forceps may be used to grip the tendon for placement in the flared section of the tube, and a specialized adapter may be used to connect the end of the more rigid section of the tube to the source of suction.

Inventors

  • 👤 James S. Thompson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 20:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/30; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/08; A61F2/0805; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B2017/2215; A61B2017/306

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 101 words
A method for placing a severed tendon in a position to be repaired, at least a portion of which having been removed from its normal position in its associated tendon sheath, and utilizing an elongated hollow tube which is open at both ends, comprising the steps of: inserting said tube into the tendon sheath; placing the end of the severed tendon in one end of said tube; applying suction to the opening at the other end of said tube, thereby holding the tendon in contact with said tube; pulling said tube and a portion of said tendon through the tendon sheath.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 101 words
A method for placing a severed tendon in a position to be repaired, at least a portion of which having been removed from its normal position in its associated tendon sheath, and utilizing an elongated hollow tube which is open at both ends, comprising the steps of: inserting said tube into the tendon sheath; placing the end of the severed tendon in one end of said tube; applying suction to the opening at the other end of said tube, thereby holding the tendon in contact with said tube; pulling said tube and a portion of said tendon through the tendon sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of covering the end of the severed tendon using a portion of said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, further including the step of grasping the end of the tendon while pulling said tube through the tendon sheath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of: removing said tube from the tendon sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 39 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of placing the end of said tendon in one end of said tube is accomplished by utilizing an instrument having a pair of jaws for grasping said tendon.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 100 words
A method for placing a severed tendon in a position to be repaired, at least a portion of which having been removed from its normal position in an enclosed space, and utilizing an elongated hollow tube which is open at both ends, comprising the steps of: inserting said tube into the enclosed space; placing the end of the severed tendon in one end of said tube; applying suction to the opening at the other end of said tube, thereby holding the tendon in contact with said tube; pulling said tube and a portion of said tendon through the enclosed space.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 100 words
A method for placing a severed tendon in a position to be repaired, at least a portion of which having been removed from its normal position in an enclosed space, and utilizing an elongated hollow tube which is open at both ends, comprising the steps of: inserting said tube into the enclosed space; placing the end of the severed tendon in one end of said tube; applying suction to the opening at the other end of said tube, thereby holding the tendon in contact with said tube; pulling said tube and a portion of said tendon through the enclosed space.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3613120A Cited
US3797047A Cited
US3842441A Cited
US4400833A Cited
US4668233A Cited
SU1178441A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-11-01 1992-05-02 1992-11-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-11-01 1996-05-02 1996-11-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-11-01 2000-05-02 2000-11-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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