Suture knot making device and method for use

Claim 1

A suture knot making device for positioning a loop of suture at a surgical site remote from an opening to the site, the device comprising: a cylindrical member having distal and proximal portions, said distal portion having a convexly curved end face, first and second bores disposed in said cylindrical member, each said bore having a distal open end disposed substantially adjacent a transition area where said convexly curved end face merges with a cylindrical surface of said member, said distal open ends being disposed approximately 180° apart, said first and second bores being non-intersecting and extending at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said member, whereby the bores cross one another within said member.

Claim 6

The device as claimed in 1, wherein said cylindrical member is formed from plastic material.

Claim 9

A method for forming a suture knot at a remote surgical site, comprising the steps of: positioning a length of suture in engagement with tissue at the remote site; delivering ends of the suture through an opening to the remote site; creating a loop in the delivered ends of the suture; threading ends of the suture loop through respective first and second bores formed in a cylindrical member of the type having distal and proximal portions, said distal portion being provided with a convexly curved end face which merges with a cylindrical surface of the member at a transition area where distal ends of said bores are disposed approximately 180° apart, said bores extending through the member at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said member and crossing one another within the member; drawing the suture ends through the bores until said loop is positioned against the convexly curved end face of the member; inserting the member into said opening while maintaining the suture ends taut until the convexly curved end face is located adjacent the surgical site; applying additional force to the suture ends to tighten the loop against the suture which engages the tissue at the remote surgical site; and releasing the suture ends and withdrawing said member from the opening.

Claim 10

A method for forming a suture knot at a remote surgical site, comprising the steps of: positioning a length of suture in engagement with tissue at the remote site; delivering ends of the suture through an opening to the remote site; creating a loop in the delivered ends of the suture; threading ends of the suture loop through respective first and second bores formed in a cylindrical member of the type having distal and proximal portions, said distal portion being provided with a convexly curved end face which merges with a cylindrical surface of the member at a transition area where distal ends of said bores are disposed approximately 180° apart, said bores extending through the member at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said member and crossing one another within the member; drawing the suture ends through the bores until said loop is positioned against the convexly curved end face of the member; inserting the member into said opening while maintaining the suture ends taut until the convexly curved end face is located adjacent the surgical site; applying additional force to the suture ends to tighten the loop against the suture which engages the tissue at the remote surgical site; and releasing the suture ends and withdrawing said member from the opening.

Claim 11

A method for forming a suture knot in tissue at a remote surgical site, comprising the steps of: positioning a length of suture in engagement with tissue at the remote site; creating a loop in first and second ends of the suture; threading the first end of the suture loop through a bore formed in a cylindrical member of the type having distal and proximal portions, said distal portion being provided with a convexly curved end face which merges with a cylindrical surface of the member at a transition area, said bore extending through the member at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said member; moving the member past the surgical site in a direction substantially parallel to said tissue, said member being oriented during movement so that a portion of said suture is positioned against the convexly curved end face of the member; applying tension to the first and second suture ends in a plane substantially parallel to the tissue so as to tighten the loop; and releasing the suture ends and removing the member from the remote site.

Claim 12

A method for forming a suture knot in tissue at a remote surgical site, comprising the steps of: positioning a length of suture in engagement with tissue at the remote site; creating a loop in first and second ends of the suture; threading the first end of the suture loop through a bore formed in a cylindrical member of the type having distal and proximal portions, said distal portion being provided with a convexly curved end face which merges with a cylindrical surface of the member at a transition area, said bore extending through the member at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said member; moving the member past the surgical site in a direction substantially parallel to said tissue, said member being oriented during movement so that a portion of said suture is positioned against the convexly curved end face of the member; applying tension to the first and second suture ends in a plane substantially parallel to the tissue so as to tighten the loop; and releasing the suture ends and removing the member from the remote site.