GB1325285A - Retention suture bridge - Google Patents

Abstract

1325285 Suturing appliances ETHICON Inc 31 Jan 1972 4417/72 Heading A5R A surgical suture bridge, for use in controlling and distributing the tension of a transverse retention suture 30, comprises an incision bridging element 10-having a thickened central portion 12, two concentric cylindrical bores 13, 15 in the thickened portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bridging element, the bores being transversed by a slot 16 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, openings 17 spaced apart longitudinally in line with the slot 16 from each end of the bridge towards the central portion 12 and extending through the bridging element, a capstan 20 positioned in the bore 15 for slidable and rotary motion relative thereto, a slot 24 transversing the capstan, and stops 25 spaced around the circumference of the bore 13 to engage the capstan. The capstan may have a flange 21 with cog 23 which are engaged by the stops 25 when the capstan is pressed into the bore. In use a suture 30 is passed through two of the openings 17 and tied, the capstan rotated to align the slot 24 with the slot 16, the suture laid in the slot 24, and the capstan rotated until the suture reaches the desired tension, the capstan then being pressed into the bore so that the cogs are engaged by the stops (Figs. 9-12 not shown). The bridging element may be made from a transparent plastics material such as methyl methacrylate or polycarbonate resin, which will withstand autoclawing. The body-engaging surface 11 of the bridging element may be concave. The entrances to the slot 14 may be V-shaped to facilitate placement of a suture therein. The capstan may be releasably snap-fitted on a split pin (35, 36) (Fig. 14 not shown).