Suture lock, lock applicator and method therefor

Abstract

The suture lock or suture lock rivet for locking suture thread includes a lock head defining a cut-out, a first locking surface and a stem connected via a breakaway section. The lock also includes a lock base defining a second complementary locking surface. The locking surfaces trap the suture in the cut-out. The stem breaks away. A suture lock applicator is utilized to deliver and apply the suture lock to the surgical site. The system includes the lock loaded within the suture lock applicator. The applicator, or rivet gun, is designed to grip the stem body and coact with the lock base to cause the lock base to slide over the stem towards the lock head or rivet head, and subsequently, with the application of additional longitudinally directed force, to remove the stem from the lock head or first body part at the breakaway section.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A suture lock for locking at least one suture thread, said lock comprising: 
 an elongated lock head having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis, said lock head defining a cut-out adapted to capture said at least one suture thread therein, and said lock head defining a first locking surface thereon;    said lock head having a stem connected via a breakaway section to said proximal end of said lock head;    a lock base defining a longitudinal passage adapted to mate with said elongated lock head, said base defining a second locking surface complementary to said first locking surface; and    said first and second locking surfaces adapted to lock said base onto said head such that said at least one suture thread is trapped in said cut-out by said base and said stem is adapted to break away from said lock head at said breakaway section.    
     
     
         2 . A suture lock as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said elongated lock head defines an end cap at said distal end and at least a part of said cut-out traverses a part of said end cap.  
     
     
         3 . A suture lock as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said end cap includes a proximally facing surface adapted to interface with a complementary distally facing surface on said lock base.  
     
     
         4 . (cancelled without prejudice to reinstate at a later time, i.e., without disclaimer).  
     
     
         5 . A suture lock as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said cut-out defined on said elongated lock head includes a cavity aligned within said head such that said at least one suture thread extends proximally through said cut-out and into said cavity.  
     
     
         6 . A suture lock as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said cut-out includes at least a partial longitudinal groove.  
     
     
         7 . A suture lock as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said lock head and said lock base are made of one of a biocompatible material and a tissue absorbable material.  
     
     
         8 . A suture lock as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first and second locking surfaces define respective locking ridges adapted to interlock.  
     
     
         9 . A suture lock as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said cut-out defined on said elongated lock head includes a cavity aligned within said head such that said at least one suture thread extends proximally through said cut-out and into said cavity.  
     
     
         10 . A suture lock as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said head and said lock base are made of one of a biocompatible material and a tissue absorbable material.  
     
     
         11 . A suture lock as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said first and second locking surfaces define respective locking ridges adapted to interlock.  
     
     
         12 . A suture lock rivet for locking at least one suture thread, said suture lock rivet comprising: 
 a rivet having a rivet head on a rivet stem, said stem having a first body part and a second body part separated by a breakaway section;    said first body part being adjacent said rivet head and defining a cut-out adapted to capture said at least one suture thread therein, and said first body part defining a first locking surface thereon;    a lock base defining a longitudinal passage adapted to mate with said rivet stem, said base defining a second locking surface complementary to said first locking surface; and    said base adapted to lock onto said rivet stem via said first and second locking surfaces such that said at least one suture thread is trapped in said cut-out and said second body part is adapted to break away from said first body part.    
     
     
         13 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the trapping of said at least one suture thread in said cut-out is via said base.  
     
     
         14 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said break away of said second body part from said first body part is via said breakaway section.  
     
     
         15 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 12  wherein at least a part of said cut-out is defined by said rivet head.  
     
     
         16 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said rivet head includes a proximally facing surface adapted to interface with a complementary distally facing surface on said lock base.  
     
     
         17 . (cancelled without prejudice to reinstate at a later time, i.e., without disclaimer).  
     
     
         18 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said cut-out defined on said first body part of said rivet stem includes a cavity aligned within said first body part such that said at least one suture thread extends proximally through said cut-out and into said cavity.  
     
     
         19 . A suture lock as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said cut-out includes at least a partial longitudinal groove.  
     
     
         20 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said rivet head, rivet stem and said lock base are made of one of a biocompatible material and a tissue absorbable material.  
     
     
         21 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said first and second locking surfaces define respective locking ridges adapted to interlock.  
     
     
         22 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said break away of said second body part from said first body part is via said breakaway section.  
     
     
         23 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said rivet head includes a proximally facing surface adapted to interface with a complementary distally facing surface on said lock base.  
     
     
         24 . (cancelled without prejudice to reinstate at a later time, i.e., without disclaimer).  
     
     
         25 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said cut-out defined on said first body part of said rivet stem includes a cavity aligned within said first body part such that said at least one suture thread extends proximally through said cut-out and into said cavity.  
     
     
         26 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 25  wherein said rivet head, rivet stem and said lock base are made of one of a biocompatible material and a tissue absorbable material.  
     
     
         27 . A suture lock rivet as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said first and second locking surfaces define respective locking ridges adapted to interlock.  
     
     
         28 . (cancelled without prejudice to reinstate at a later time, i.e., without disclaimer).  
     
     
         29 . (cancelled without prejudice to reinstate at a later time, i.e., without disclaimer).  
     
     
         30 . (cancelled without prejudice to reinstate at a later time, i.e., without disclaimer).  
     
     
         31 . A suture lock rivet and delivery gun system for locking at least one suture thread, the system comprising: 
 a rivet having a rivet head on a rivet stem, said stem having a first body part and an elongated second body part separated by a breakaway section;    said first body part being adjacent said rivet head and defining a cut-out adapted to capture said at least one suture thread therein, and said first body part defining a first locking surface thereon;    a lock base defining a longitudinal passage adapted to mate with said rivet stem, said base defining a second locking surface complementary to said first locking surface;    said base adapted to lock onto said rivet stem via said first and second locking surfaces such that said at least one suture thread is trapped in said cut-out and said second body part is adapted to break away from said first body part; and    a rivet gun gripping a proximal portion of said elongated second body part of said stem and coacting with said lock base to force said base over said second body part towards said rivet head thereby locking said head onto said base prior to said break away.    
     
     
         32 . A system as claimed in  claim 31  wherein said rivet gun includes a movably controlled, user actuated ratchet interface operable to move said base with respect to said elongated second body part.  
     
     
         33 . A system as claimed in  claim 32  wherein said breakaway section is one of a detent coupling, a weak link, a latch and a friction lock.  
     
     
         34 . A method of locking at least one suture thread drawn tight at a surgical site comprising: 
 providing a lock head and a lock base;    capturing said at least one suture thread with said head;    fastening said lock base onto said head such that said at least one suture is trapped therebetween.    
     
     
         35 . A method of locking sutures as claimed in  claim 34  further comprising the step of cutting said sutures.  
     
     
         36 . A method of locking at least one suture thread as claimed in  claim 34  wherein said capturing step includes hooking said at least one suture thread with said head.  
     
     
         37 . A method of locking at least one suture thread as claimed in  claim 34  including the steps of sliding said lock base over a portion of said lock head; and fastening said lock base on said lock head by unidirectional movement of said base over said head.  
     
     
         38 . A method of locking at least one suture thread as claimed in  claim 34  where in said fastening step includes the step of drawing said at least one suture thread tight.  
     
     
         39 . A method of locking at least one suture thread a surgical site comprising: 
 providing a lock head and a lock base;    capturing said at least one suture thread with said head;    cinching said at least one suture thread;    fastening said lock base onto said head such that said at least one suture thread is trapped therebetween.