Claims
- 1. A device adapted for achieving wound closure comprising:
a flexible, axially elongate bolt having a first and a second end; a plurality of pressure plates adapted to slide longitudinally onto the first and second ends of the bolt; locking means for longitudinally fixing each of the pressure plates along the length of the bolt.
- 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the bolt is malleable.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bolt additionally comprises a malleable core along at least a portion of its length.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises a ratcheting lock having a ratchet pawl operable in conjunction with ratchet teeth disposed on the bolt.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said ratcheting lock comprises a quick release mechanism.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bolt further comprises a removable or retractable sharp tip.
- 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said bolt is smooth and discourages tissue ingrowth.
- 8. A method of achieving wound hemostasis and closure that involves the steps of:
applying one or more bolts through the tissue surrounding the wound so that both ends of the bolt are exposed outside the tissue, applying pressure plates to one or more ends of said bolt, and applying locks to keep said pressure plates in compression against said tissue as constrained by said bolt to achieve wound closure.
- 9. The method of claim 8 wherein placement of said bolt includes the additional step of removing or retracting a sharp tip or point on at least one of the ends of the bolt.
- 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the placement of said bolt is accomplished through an axially elongate hollow introduction device.
- 11. The method of claim 9 wherein removal of said bolt is accomplished through an axially elongate hollow introduction device.
- 12. The device of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the bolt is constructed of a polymeric material.
- 13. The device of claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone rubber, polyester polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride or a copolymer including of one of these materials.
- 14. The device of claim 3 wherein said malleable core is fabricated from a metal.
- 15. The device of claim 3 wherein said malleable core is fabricated from stainless steel, nitinol, cobalt nickel alloy, titanium, tantalum or the like.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bolt is radiopaque.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure plate and lock are radiopaque.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bolt, pressure plate and lock are fabricated from bioresorbable materials.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a friction component to engage the shaft of the bolt.
- 20. A method of manufacturing a medical device for approximating wounded tissue comprising:
providing a malleable bolt having first and second ends providing pressure plates adapted to slide over each of the first and second ends of the bolt; providing locking mechanisms adapted to longitudinally fix the pressure plates along the length of the bolt; forcing the bolt through body tissue until the first and second ends extend from the tissue; placing a pressure plate on each end of the bolt; placing a locking mechanism on each end of the bolt, after placement of the pressure plate; forcing the pressure plates into contact with the body tissue and locking the pressure plate in place with the locking mechanisms.
- 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of:
bending the malleable bolt, and forcing the bolt through body tissue so that both ends of the bolt protrude from an accessible surface of the body tissue.
Parent Case Info
[0001] The present application claims priority benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/354,428 filed Feb. 4, 2002, entitled “TRANSFIXING PARENCHYMAL BOLT SYSTEM” which is herein incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60354428 |
Feb 2002 |
US |