The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 03, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 31, 1998
Kenneth K Thompson, Palm Harbor, FL (US);
Randall D Ross, Largo, FL (US);
Steven W Ek, Bolton, MA (US);
Smith & Nephew, Inc., Memphis, TN (US);
Abstract
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.