Patent US5569239A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5569239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoreactive suturing of biological materials
Assignee: Cardiofocus Inc
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Filing: 1994-08-18
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Granted: 1996-10-29
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Expires: 2014-08-18
Abstract
Abstract Materials and methods for photoreactive suturing of biological tissue are disclosed. The suture material includes a structure adapted for positioning at an anastomotic site and has at least a portion of the structure formed by a photoreactive crosslinking agent, such that upon irradiation of the structure the crosslinking agent adheres to the biological material. In one embodiment, the suture material can also include a high tensile strength element which is coated with a laser activatable crosslinking agent or glue. The suture methods can be practiced manually, or with various apparatus, such as endoscopes, catheters or hand-held instruments.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward L. Sinofsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B17/00; A61B17/00491; B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/03; B23K26/032; B23K26/06; B23K26/064; B23K26/0648; B23K26/0665; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00057; A61B2018/00636; A61B90/00; A61B90/50; A61B2090/502
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A suture for joining biological material comprising a structure adapted for positioning at an anastomotic site, the structure further comprising at least one tensile strength-imparting element for resisting tensile and shearing forces and a photoreactive crosslinking agent coupled to the tensile strengthening element and positioned such that the crosslinking agent can contact said biological material at said site, such that upon irradiation of said structure the crosslinking agent adheres to the biological material to form a suture and the tensile strengthening element inhibiting tears in said structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A suture for joining biological material comprising a structure adapted for positioning at an anastomotic site, the structure further comprising at least one tensile strength-imparting element for resisting tensile and shearing forces and a photoreactive crosslinking agent coupled to the tensile strengthening element and positioned such that the crosslinking agent can contact said biological material at said site, such that upon irradiation of said structure the crosslinking agent adheres to the biological material to form a suture and the tensile strengthening element inhibiting tears in said structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The suture material of claim 1 wherein the structure is biodegradable over time in vivo.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The suture material of claim 1 wherein the crosslinking agent is responsive to laser radiation such upon irradiation the agent also bonds to the tensile strength-imparting element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The suture material of claim 1 wherein the crosslinking agent comprises at least one agent chosen from the consisting of collagen, elastin, fibrin and albumin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The suture material of claim 1 wherein the tensile strength-imparting element is a material selected from the group of pre-crosslinked segments of the same material that forms the photoreactive crosslinking agent, and strips and fibers of natural and synthetic biodegradable materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The suture material of claim 1 wherein the tensile strengthening element is connected to said cross-linking agent, such that, upon irradiation, the high strength element and biological material are joined to each other to enhance bond strength.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The suture material of claim 1 wherein the tensile strengthening element comprises a biodegradable fiber element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The suture material of claim 1 wherein the tensile strengthening element comprises a polymeric fiber element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suture material of claim 1 wherein the tensile strengthening element further includes means for piercing said biological materials to enhance joinder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The suture material of claim 1 wherein the structure is adapted to placed around a tubular biological structure for repair purposes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The suture material of claim 10 wherein the structure is a tubular structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suture material of claim 10 wherein the structure is a band structure adapted to be wrapped around a tubular biological structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The suture material of claim 10 wherein the structure further comprises at least one high tensile strength fiber element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
A suture material for joining biological material comprising a structure adapted for positioning at an anastomotic site, the structure further comprising: at least one tensile strength-imparting element for resisting tensile and shearing forces a photoreactive crosslinking agent coupled to the element such that upon irradiation of said structure the crosslinking agent adheres to the biological material and the element inhibiting tears in said structure, and a detachable carrier means for situating the structure and crosslinking agent at the site such that the crosslinking agent can be placed in contact with said biological material prior to irradiation to facilitate joinder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
99 words
A suture material for joining biological material comprising a structure adapted for positioning at an anastomotic site, the structure further comprising: at least one tensile strength-imparting element for resisting tensile and shearing forces a photoreactive crosslinking agent coupled to the element such that upon irradiation of said structure the crosslinking agent adheres to the biological material and the element inhibiting tears in said structure, and a detachable carrier means for situating the structure and crosslinking agent at the site such that the crosslinking agent can be placed in contact with said biological material prior to irradiation to facilitate joinder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The suture material of claim 14 wherein the detachable carrier is substantially transparent to photo-irradiation and can be detached from said crosslinking agent following the bonding of the agent to the biological material.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for joining biological materials comprising: applying a suture material at an anastomotic site, the suture material having a structure with at least one tensile strength-imparting element and at least a portion of said structure/brined by a photoreactive crosslinking agent; delivering light energy to said site such that upon irradiation of said structure with said light energy the crosslinking agent adheres to the biological material and thereby provides closure at said anastomotic site and the tensile strength-imparting element serves to inhibit tears in the structure; and analyzing the degree of crosslinking within an exposure zone based on measurements of reflectance intensity at a plurality of wavelengths.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for joining biological materials comprising: applying a suture material at an anastomotic site, the suture material having a structure with at least one tensile strength-imparting element and at least a portion of said structure/brined by a photoreactive crosslinking agent; delivering light energy to said site such that upon irradiation of said structure with said light energy the crosslinking agent adheres to the biological material and thereby provides closure at said anastomotic site and the tensile strength-imparting element serves to inhibit tears in the structure; and analyzing the degree of crosslinking within an exposure zone based on measurements of reflectance intensity at a plurality of wavelengths.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the method further comprises measuring light reflected from said site; and controlling the laser in response to monitored changes in the reflectance of the light from the site to achieve crosslinking of the biological materials without thermal damage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the high tensile strength element is connected to said cross-linking agent, such that, upon irradiation, the high strength element and biological material are joined to each other to enhance bond strength to the anastomotic site prior to laser irradiation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the suture material further comprises a detachable carrier means which is substantially transparent to photo-irradiation, and the method further comprises irradiating the crosslinking agent and then detaching the career from the crosslinking agent following the bonding of the agent to the biological material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the suture material is a staple means for connecting the biological material and the method further comprises irradiating a portion of the staple means after it is applied.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the method further comprises tuning the output wavelength of the beam of laser radiation to match the characteristic of the crosslinking agent or the biological materials.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-29 | 2000-04-29 | 2000-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-29 | 2004-04-29 | 2004-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-29 | 2008-04-29 | 2008-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |