Smith + Nephew

Kenneth K Thompson

Steven W Ek

Randall D Ross

A suture securing device includes an outer member with a suture receiving passage and an inner member configured for progressive insertion within the suture receiving passage and engagement with the outer member in any one of a plurality of locked positions to secure a suture between the inner member and the outer member. The suture receiving passage includes a threaded portion and the inner member includes a ridge for progressive engagement with threads of the threaded portion. A suture securing cartridge includes a sleeve having an axial bore with the outer member disposed in the bore at a distal end of the sleeve, the inner member disposed in the bore proximally of the outer member, and a carrier which engages the inner member to align the inner member with the suture receiving passage.

Suture collet

A handle assembly for a drive tool includes a plunger actuator configured to move a plunger of the drive tool between a retracted position and an extended position, an outer tube actuator configured to move an outer tube of the drive tool between a retracted position and an extended position, and a coupler configured to move the outer tube from its extended position to its retracted position in response to movement of the plunger from its extended position to its retracted position. The drive tool delivers a suture securing device to a surgical site. When the plunger actuator moves the plunger to its extended position, a second member of the device is secured to a first member of the device. When the plunger actuator moves the plunger to a second, further extended position, the plunger deploys the secured first and second members from the drive tool.

Growing community of inventors

Palm Harbor, FL, United States of America

Kenneth K Thompson