Other

American Cyanamid Company

Acufex Microsurgical, Inc.

Vitech Holdings, L.p.

John O Hayhurst

Jeffrey Cerier

Alan A Small

Brian Holt

Paul DiCarlo

James W Dwyer

An apparatus and method for manipulating and anchoring tissue is provided. The invention is directed to solving the problem of manipulating and anchoring tissue within a joint when access to that tissue is limited, for example, during arthroscopic surgery.

Tissue manipulation

The present invention relates to a process and system for the remediation and enhancement of secondary recovery gas from a natural gas well and geologic formation. The present invention employs the use of protic and aprotic solvents which are injected in sequence into the well and geologic formation. The protic and aprotic solvents are injected into the well bore and progress through the geologic fissures and pores of the geologic formation. After reacting with the downhole and geologic formation deposits, the solvent solute, containing the remaining solvent, dissolved solids and debris, and any remaining components are extracted from the well and formation resulting in improved gas well flow rate through the formation and well bore.

Method for enhancing gas well secondary recovery operations

The suturing system includes a cannula that defines two adjacent lumens. One lumen carries a supply of anchor members that are joined together by a suture. The anchor members are moved by a supply rod, one at a time, from a lower lumen to an upper lumen. The upper lumen terminates in a sharpened tip that is pierced through tissue. The single anchor member that is moved into the upper lumen is then deployed into or behind the pierced tissue and the cannula is retracted. The rod for deploying the anchor member also temporarily blocks movement of additional anchor members from the lower to the upper lumen so that the surgeon can sufficiently tense the suture before piercing the tissue in an adjacent location and depositing a second anchor member. A series of anchor members joined by a continuous suture are deposited in this matter to suture together tissue. Also provided is a gun to which the cannula is mounted for one-handed operation of the system.

Suturing system

A method whereby an anchor member is configured to provide anchorage of its attached suture within a hole drilled in a bone.

Anchoring and manipulating tissue

Eliminates the need for tying knots in sutures. The clip (20) is slidable in an open position along sutures (12) that extend from a suturing site. With the clip (20) at the suturing site, the sutures (12) are tensed and the clip is forced into a closed position that fixes the position of the clip (20) relative to the sutures (12).

Clip for suture

An apparatus and method for manipulating and anchoring tissue is provided. The invention is directed to solving the problem of manipulating and anchoring tissue within a joint when access to that tissue is limited, for example, during arthroscopic surgery. The apparatus includes an anchor member (10, 50) with attached suture (12, 52). The anchor member (10, 50) is lodged within the tip of a needle (14, 54), which is inserted into a joint. A tube (16, 55) fits within the needle (14, 54) and is pushed toward the needle tip to expel the anchor member (10, 50) into or behind the tissue to be manipulated or anchored. The suture (12, 52) is thereafter available for manipulating or anchoring the tissue. In one embodiment, the anchor member (80) is configured to provide anchorage of its attached suture (82) within a hole (100) drilled into a bone (96). A retainer (68, 69) slides over the suture (12, 52, 82) and secures tissue to the anchor member (12, 52) or to the bone (96) in which the anchor member (82) is anchored.

Apparatus and method for manipulating and anchoring tissue

A locking mechanism having a locking element carried by one or more strands of suture material. One end of the suture is attachable to an anchor having a slot extending from a trailing end of the anchor toward a leading end. A portion of the suture is at least partially disposable in the slot. A separate locking member engages the locking element to secure tissue relative to the anchor.

Locking mechanism for use with a slotted suture anchor

A bone anchor, for securing a suture to a bone, has an open proximal end and a body that tapers to a solid distal tip. The anchor is placed deep in a borehole in a bone using an insertion instrument that is inserted through the open proximal end of the anchor. The tip of the instrument is a spherical knob that snaps into a corresponding recess inside the anchor. The instrument has an oval cross-section that does not bear against the walls of the anchor during insertion. Once the anchor is in place, however, the anchor is expanded by rotating the instrument to bring the exterior of the instrument into contact with the walls of the anchor. The anchor is free to pivot about the spherical knob on the instrument, which allows the anchor to orient itself to the shape and size of the borehole.

Expandable bone anchor and method of anchoring a suture to a bone

A bone anchor (10) for securing a suture to a bone (38). The bone anchor (10) has a tip (16) at its distal end (18) and at least one resilient wall (27) extending to a trailing end (20) of the body (12) of the anchor. The wall (27) has a ridge (14), or barb, formed on an outer surface. The ridge (14) defines an edge (34) that digs into a hole (36) in the bone (38) in which it is positioned. A strand of suturing thread (22) extends through a suture receiving opening (24) in the tip (16) of the anchor. The method of the present invention employs the suture anchor (10) and includes the steps of forming a hole (36) in a bone (38) and inserting the suture anchor (10) to a desired depth in the hole (36) in the bone (38) using an inserter device (100). Suturing thread ( 22) extends from the suture receiving opening (24) in the tip and along the length of the walls (27,28) out of the hole (36) in the bone (38). An anchor spreader (130) is used to firmly seat the anchor (10) in the hole (36). The suture (22) is pulled at the same time to help seat the barbs 14 on the anchor (10) into the bone (38).

Bone anchor and method of anchoring a suture to a bone

Bone anchor

A knotting instrument (20) having a leading member (22) and a trailing member (24) for forming a double knot. The leading member (22) functions to slide a first knot (26) that is formed in the sutures (30, 32) against the surface (34) of tissue (40). A finger (60) is formed in the leading member (24) to hold the first knot (26) against the tissue surface (34) as a second knot (28) is moved by the trailing member (24) against the first knot (26). The leading member (22) is configured to part as the trailing member (24) moves the second knot (28) against the first knot (26).

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Milwaukie, OR, United States of America

John O Hayhurst