WO2010123506A2

WO2010123506A2 - Systems and methods of anchoring surgical wires, catheters, and other medical objects

Info

Publication number: WO2010123506A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/041703
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Alexander
Original assignee: Anthony Alexander
Priority date: 2009-04-24
Filing date: 2009-04-24
Publication date: 2010-10-28
Also published as: WO2010123506A3

Abstract

The present disclosure generally provides systems and methods of anchoring surgical wires, catheters, leads, and other medical objects in an effective, efficient, and cost-sensitive manner. In one embodiment, the present disclosure could include a system to secure a medical object. The system could include a body having a first inner arm, a second inner arm, and a first outer arm. The first inner arm and the first outer arm could include a pronged structure. The system could also include a crossbar having threads to receive a screw. The crossbar could be disposed between respective surfaces of the first inner arm and the second inner arm and could be coupled to sliding grooves disposed along the respective surfaces. When the screw is in an engaged position relative to the crossbar, the pronged structure could be configured to secure the medical object.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF ANCHORING SURGICAL WIRES, CATHETERS,

AND OTHER MEDICAL OBJECTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to medical devices and, in particular, to systems and methods of anchoring surgical wires, catheters, leads, and other medical objects.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional anchoring systems used in medical procedures generally lack proper stabilizing structure and compromise the integrity of the surgical wire, catheter, or other medical related object used in conjunction with the anchoring system. In addition, conventional anchoring systems typically fail to prevent translational movement of the wire, catheter, or other medical related object while the anchoring system is in an engaged position. Moreover, conventional anchoring systems generally fail to provide a reliable and secure system that maintains the integrity and relative position of the surgical wire, catheter, or other medical related object over time and that accommodates a patient's body movements. SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide systems and methods of anchoring surgical wires, catheters, leads, and other medical objects.

[0004] In one embodiment, the present disclosure could provide an anchoring system. The anchoring system could include a body having a first inner arm and a second inner arm. The anchoring system could also include a crossbar having threads to receive a screw. The crossbar could be disposed between respective surfaces of the first inner arm and the second inner arm. The crossbar could also be coupled to sliding grooves disposed along the respective surfaces. When the screw is in an engaged position, the anchoring system could secure a medical object with a pronged structure.

[0005] In one embodiment, the present disclosure could provide a method of anchoring a medical object. The method could include securing a suture to an anchor having a first inner arm, a second inner arm, and a crossbar. The crossbar could include threads to receive a screw. The method could also include engaging the screw to wedge the crossbar against the first inner arm to secure a medical object disposed between the first inner arm and a second inner arm associated with the anchor.

[0006] In one embodiment, the present disclosure could include a system to secure a medical object. The system could include a body having a first inner arm, a second inner arm, and a first outer arm. The first inner arm and the first outer arm could include a pronged structure. The system could also include a crossbar having threads to receive a screw. The crossbar could be disposed between respective surfaces of the first inner arm and the second inner arm and could be coupled to sliding grooves disposed along the respective surfaces. When the screw is in an engaged position relative to the crossbar, the pronged structure could be configured to secure the medical object.

[0007] Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0009] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a system used to anchor surgical wires, catheters, leads, and other medical objects according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIGURE 2 is an exemplary exploded view of the system shown in FIGURE 1 ;

[0011] FIGURE 3 is an exemplary top plan view of the system shown in FIGURE 1 ;

[0012] FIGURE 4 is an exemplary bottom plan view of the system shown in FIGURE 1 ;

[0013] FIGURE 5 is an exemplary top side view of the system shown in FIGURE 1 ;

[0014] FIGURE 6 is an another exemplary side plan view of the system shown in FIGURE 1 ;

[0015] FIGURE 7 is an exemplary bottom side view of the system shown in FIGURE 1 ;

[0016] FIGURE 8 is an exemplary perspective view of an example application for the system shown in FIGURE 1 ;

[0017] FIGURE 9 is an exemplary view of an inner arm, outer arm, and pronged structure for the system shown from the perspective of reference 9-9 shown in FIGURE 1 ;

[0018] FIGURE 10 is an exemplary perspective view of catheters 802 and sutures 804 generally positioned in an engaged manner relative to the system shown in FIGURE 1 ; and

[0019] FIGURE 11 is an exemplary method of using the system shown in FIGURE 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present disclosure generally provides systems and methods of anchoring surgical wires, catheters, leads, and other medical objects in an effective, efficient, and cost-sensitive manner.

[0021] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of system 100 used to anchor surgical wires, catheters, leads, sutures, ligaments, and other medical objects according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGURE 2 is an exemplary exploded view of system 100 shown in FIGURE 1. FIGURES 3 and 4 are top and bottom plan view, respectively, of system 100 shown in FIGURE 1. It should be understood that system 100 shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, and 4 are for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Similarly, FIGURE 5, 6, and 7 various exemplary views of system 100 shown in FIGURE 1. FIGURE 5 is an exemplary top side view of system 100, while FIGURE 6 is an exemplary side view of system 100 and FIGURE 7 is an exemplary bottom side view of system 100. FIGURE 9 is an exemplary view of an inner arm, outer arm, and pronged structure for system 100 shown from the perspective of reference 9-9 shown in FIGURE 1. It should be understood that FIGURES 5-7 and 9 are for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] System 100 could be a reversible tieless surgical anchor to securely position and anchor one or more medical objects according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, system 100 could securely position and anchor a medical object such as surgical wires, catheters, leads, sutures, ligaments, and other tube-like or wire-like objects without compromising the integrity of such objects. For example, system 100 could be used to anchor leads or metal wires to provide electrical current to pace makers, cochlear implants, neurosimulator leads, other medical devices, or any combination thereof. In other examples, system 100 could be used to anchor catheters or other tubing used for fluid flow, delivery, transport, or drainage. In addition, system 100 could also provide an anchoring platform for sutures, medical ties, stents, and other similar securing objects. In one embodiment, system 100 could be made of any suitable material including, for example, titanium, stainless steel, metal, plastic, polymer, bio-compatible material, or any combination thereof.

[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, for example, system 100 could be an anchoring system that could generally include a U-shaped structure and a tapered body as generally shown, for example, in FIGURE 6. The U-shaped structure could include crossbar 102 and screw 104 to secure crossbar 102 to the U-shaped structure. The U- shaped structure preferably includes a smooth, rounded, or beveled outer surface or edge to help reduce, minimize, mitigate, or eliminate the possibility of bruising or otherwise compromising the integrity of surrounding tissues or any medical objects anchored by system 100. In addition, when in an engaged position, system 100 generally eliminates, reduces, or mitigates lateral, translational, rotational, or other movement of the medical object anchored with system 100.

[0025] Screw 104 could include male mating threads that fit with female mating threads in channel 106 of crossbar 102. Screw 104 could include any suitable screw including, for example, precision, torque, round, fillister, washer, pan, binding, truss, hex, hex washer, slotted, Phillips, square, one-way, thread cutting, other suitable types or configurations of screws, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, screw 104, when mated with channel 106, could be in a particular position or generally disposed flush with the top surface of crossbar 102. Channel 106 could extend through the U-shaped body of system 100 and could further extend to a distal end of system 100 as shown, for example, in FIGURE 7.

[0026] Crossbar 102 and screw 104 could be made of identical, similar, or different materials. In one embodiment, crossbar 102 and screw 104 could be made of any suitable material including, for example, titanium, stainless steel, metal, plastic, polymer, bio-compatible material, or any combination thereof.

[0027] As screw 104 bears down and mates with crossbar 102, crossbar 102 could move along guide 130a while coupled with track-like sliding grooves 108a and 108b (collectively referred to herein as sliding grooves 108) as illustrated later in, for example, FIGURE 2. In one embodiment, sliding grooves 108 are disposed on inner arms 110a and 110b (collectively referred to herein as inner arms 110). Inner arms 110 wedge closer to outer arms 112a and 112b (collectively referred to herein as outer arms 112), respectively, as screw 104 mates with crossbar 102. In one embodiment, inner arms 110 are preferably tapered to accommodate translational movement of crossbar 102 along sliding grooves 108.

[0028] Accordingly, in one embodiment, as screw 104 continues to mate with crossbar 102, the gap between inner arms 110 and outer arms 112 decreases. In doing so, openings 114a and 114b (collectively referred to herein as openings 114) decrease in size as the ends of prongs 116a and 116b (collectively referred to herein as prongs 116), respectively, become closer together. As a result, anchor openings 118a and 118b (collectively referred to herein as anchor openings 118) also decrease in size. [0029] It should be understood that openings 114 could be configured or situated in any suitable form or structure. In the embodiment shown in, for example, FIGURES 1, openings 114 could be situated at about a 45-degree angle relative to the surface or cross plane of system 100. The angled structure of openings 114 aid in providing relative positioning for a medical object placed in openings 114. FIGURE 9, for example, provides an illustration of opening 114 from the perspective of reference 9-9 shown in FIGURE 1.

[0030] It should also be understood that prongs 116 could be disposed in any suitable manner relative to openings 114. It should further be understood that prongs 116 could be any suitable shape, size, or combination to retain or secure catheter 802. For example, although various figures illustrate that system 100 includes two sets of prongs 116, it should be understood that system 100 could include any number of suitable of prongs 116. As a particular example, system 100 could include only one of set of prongs 116 and thus system 100 could accommodate just one catheter or other similar object. In another example, system 100 could include just one of suture openings 122, instead of the two shown in FIGURE 1. Thus, in one embodiment, system 100 could accommodate just one suture or other similar object. In still other examples, system 100 could include multiple set of prongs 116 such as, for example, three sets of prongs 116 to accommodate three catheters or other similar objects .

[0031] In one embodiment, the wedging action precipitated by crossbar 102 is aided by the "living hinge" configuration associated with notches 120a and 120b (collectively referred to herein as notches 120) . As described in detail later herein, should a catheter, for example, be placed in openings 114a and 114b while screw 104 is screwed into crossbar 102, inner arms 108 wedges closer to outer arms 112 and prongs 116 grasp the outer surface of the catheter. Thus, in one embodiment, the position and security of the catheter could be related to the relative positions of screw 104, crossbar 102, inner arms 108, outer arms 112, and prongs 116.

[0032] As also described in detail later herein, should a suture, for example, be placed in an annular or suture openings 122a and 122b (collectively referred to herein as suture openings 122) disposed along annular structures or flanges 124a and 124b (collectively referred to herein as flanges 124) and apertures 132a and 132b (collectively referred to herein as apertures 132), respectively, the sutures could be secured in place using an number of different methods according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] In addition, although suture openings 122 are illustrated as generally annular structures, it should be understood that suture openings 122 could include any suitable shape and size. In addition, although suture openings 122 are described herein as "suture openings," suture openings 122 could be used to secure any suitable object such as, for example, a tie, anchoring system, retaining apparatus, securing mechanism, medical object, other suitable system, or any combination thereof.

[0034] For example, say a suture were placed in suture opening 122a and disposed along flange 124, one end of the suture could be secured in place by a plug, rubber plug, adhesive, glue, metal stamp, other suitable securing or retaining system or method, or any combination thereof. The suture could also be secured in place by grooves 126a and 126b (collectively referred to as grooves 126) and grooves 128 under crossbar 102. Grooves 126 and grooves 128 could include any number, size, shape, or configuration of grooves, gripping objects, any suitable friction-causing or gripping surfaces, or any combination thereof in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] In one embodiment, once the suture is positioned relatively to, for example, surrounding tissue, the second end of the suture is looped around system 100 and could re- enter system 100 from the other side of system 100, through an opening proximate to crossbar 102 along groove 126a. As crossbar 102 is displaced by screw 104, crossbar 102 could decrease the relative distance between grooves 128 and grooves 126 and thus securing the suture in place according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] System 100 therefore generally provides a system of anchoring surgical wires, catheters, leads, and other medical objects in an effective, efficient, and cost- sensitive manner. In addition, system 100 generally eliminates, reduces, or mitigates lateral, translational, rotational, or other movement of a medical object associated with system 100.

[0037] In one embodiment, system 100 could accommodate precision placement of, for example, sutures, ligaments, catheters, other flow systems, other medical objects, and any combination thereof. In addition, in one embodiment, system 100 could provide an anchoring system that allows absorption of energy created by, for example, any installed prosthetic, catheter, electrical, electromechanical, or any other device having any combination of devices thereof.

[0038] FIGURE 8 is an exemplary application for system 100 shown in FIGURE 1. It should be understood that the application shown in FIGURE 8 is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable application or sub- application could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of the application shown and described herein according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] The exemplary application could generally include the use of system 100 as an anchoring system to anchor or otherwise secure or retain, for example, surgical wires, catheters, leads, or other medical objects in or about any tissue or other structure of the body according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, the application could include the use of system 100 (or method 1100 described later herein in conjunction with FIGURE 11) to securely position or anchor a medical object such as surgical wires, catheters, leads, and other tube-like or wire-like objects without compromising the integrity of such objects to facilitate, for example, fluid flow, delivery, transport, or drainage.

[0040] As shown in FIGURE 8, application 800 could include catheters 802a and 802b (sometimes collectively referred to herein as catheters 802), sutures 804a and 804b (sometimes collectively referred to herein as sutures 804), surrounding tissue 806, and spine 808 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the application could include providing an anchoring system for catheters 802 relative to certain surrounding tissue 806 proximate to spine 808.

[0041] Although the application shown in FIGURE 8 illustrates an anchoring system for catheters 802, it should be understood that the application could also be used in a variety of other applications such as, for example, to anchor leads or metal wires to provide electrical current to pace makers, cochlear implants, neurostimulator leads, other medical devices, or any combination thereof.

[0042] Now referring to FIGURE 10, FIGURE 10 is an exemplary perspective view of catheters 802 and sutures 804 generally positioned in an engaged manner relative to system 100 shown in FIGURE 1. It should be understood that the illustration shown in FIGURE 10 is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable structure or substructure, position or relative position of the elements, could be used or otherwise implemented in conjunction with or in lieu of according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, although sutures 804 are illustrated as wrapping around a segment of system 100 before being threaded into the slot under crossbar 102, sutures 804 could be positioned in any suitable manner. As an example, sutures 804 could thread directly through the slot under crossbar 102 after being secured in openings 122 and not be disposed along any side surface of system 100.

[0043] As shown in FIGURE 8, sutures 804a could be secured in place and disposed in suture opening 122a (and along flange 124a - not shown in FIGURE 8) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Suture 804a could be secured in place using a number of different methods. For example, suture 804a could be secured in place by a plug, rubber plug, adhesive, glue, metal stamp, other suitable securing or retaining system or method, or any combination thereof. Similar descriptions could apply to suture 804b.

[0044] It should be understood that although suture openings 122 are illustrated as generally annular structures, it should be understood that suture openings 122 could include any suitable shape and size and is not limited to the illustration shown in FIGURE 8.

[0045] Now referring to FIGURE 11, FIGURE 11 is an exemplary method 1100 of using the system shown in FIGURE 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that FIGURE 11 is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable method or sub- method could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of method 1100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that the steps shown for method 1100 could be performed in a variety of different sequences and is not limited to the sequence described herein. In addition, although method 1100 generally describes step associated with catheter 802a and suture 804a, it should be understood that method 1100 could include identical or similar steps for catheter 802b and suture 804b.

[0046] In one embodiment, step 1102 could include securing one or more sutures such as, for example, suture 804a shown in FIGURE 8 to an anchor such as, for example, system 100 shown in FIGURE 1. Suture 804a could be secured to system 100 by disposing suture 804a in suture opening 122a and along flange 124a as shown in FIGURES 1 and 10. Suture 804a could be secured in place using a number of different methods. For example, suture 804a could be secured in place by a plug, rubber plug, adhesive, glue, metal stamp, other suitable securing or retaining system or method, or any combination thereof according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] In step 1104, method 1100 continues and could include threading a catheter, surgical wire, lead, or other tube-like or wire-like objects such as, for example, catheter 802a through suitable openings or apertures in system 100 such as, for example, openings 114, and securing catheter 802a with a securing mechanism such as, for example, prongs 116 as shown in FIGURE 8. In one embodiment, openings 114 could be configured to provide a 45-degree or so inclined or recessed channel relative to and through system 100. As such, catheter 802a could be disposed at an angle relative to system 100 as generally shown in, for example, FIGURES 8 and 10.

[0048] Once catheter 802a is in place, step 1106 could include repositioning system 100 to a particular area of catheter 802a relative to a desired tissue area or location. In one example, system 100 could be slidably moved along a surface of catheter 802a and proximate to a desired tissue area or location.

[0049] In step 1108, a second end of suture 804a, which at this point has one end secured to suture opening 122a and flange 124a, is positioned about system 100 in another secured location. For example, the second end of suture 804a is threaded around the body of system 100 and to the backside of system 100. From here, suture 804a could be threaded through system 100 and along groove 126a, as shown in, for example, FIGURE 8 and 10.

[0050] Accordingly, suture 804a could be attached to one side of system 100, pull through around the edge of system 100 to the back side of system 100 (preferably through surrounding tissue or some other structure) , and further pulled through system 100 and disposed along groove 126a. At this point, the second end of suture 804a could be pulled taught and held in this temporarily position until the completion of step 1110. Alternatively, suture 804a could thread directly through the slot under crossbar 102 after being secured in opening 122a and not be disposed along any side surface of system 100.

[0051] In step 1110, a screw such as, for example, screw 104 could be engaged with system 100 at crossbar 102 shown in FIGURE 1. Screw 104 could be screwed down until prongs 116 securely engage with catheter 802a as shown in, for example, FIGURES 8 and 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, screw 104 could securely engage suture 804a with groove 126a and grooves 128 on the underside of crossbar 102 as shown in, for example, FIGURES 8 and 10.

[0052] Method 1100 therefore generally provides, for example, a method of anchoring catheters and sutures in a manner that helps reduce, minimize, mitigate, or eliminate the possibility of bruising or otherwise compromising the integrity of the catheter, sutures, surrounding tissues, or any other medical objects anchored by system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term "couple" and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith, " as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like .

[0054] While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An anchoring system comprising: a body having a first inner arm and a second inner arm; and a crossbar having threads to receive a screw, the crossbar disposed between respective surfaces of the first inner arm and the second inner arm and coupled to sliding grooves disposed along the respective surfaces, wherein, when the screw is in an engaged position, the anchoring system secures a medical object with a pronged structure .

2. The system of Claim 1 further comprising: a living hinge associated with the pronged structure.

3. The system of Claim 1, wherein the living hinge is configured to compress the pronged structure when subject to pressure from the crossbar.

4. The system of Claim 1 further comprising: an annular opening disposed on the body to receive a suture .

5. The system of Claim 4, wherein the crossbar comprises grooves to secure the suture.

6. The system of Claim 5, wherein the body comprises secondary grooves to oppose the crossbar grooves.

7. The system of Claim 1, wherein the medical object comprises at least one of: a lead, a catheter, and a surgical wire.

8. The system of Claim 1, wherein the first inner arm comprises a tapered structure.

9. The system of Claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a first outer arm.

10. The system of Claim 9, wherein the first inner arm and the first outer arm comprise the pronged structure.

11. A method of anchoring a medical object, the method comprising: securing a suture to an anchor having a first inner arm, a second inner arm, and a crossbar having threads to receive a screw; and engaging the screw to wedge the crossbar against the first inner arm to secure a medical object disposed between the first inner arm and a second inner arm associated with the anchor.

12. The method of Claim 11 further comprising securing a suture to the anchor using at least one of: a plug, an adhesive, and a metal stamp.

13. The method of Claim 11 further comprising: threading a suture through the anchor; and securing the suture with the anchor using the crossbar .

14. The method of Claim 11, wherein the medical object comprises at least one of: a lead, a catheter, and a surgical wire.

15. A system to secure a medical object, the system comprising : a body having a first inner arm, a second inner arm, and a first outer arm, wherein the first inner arm and the first outer arm comprise a pronged structure; and a crossbar having threads to receive a screw, the crossbar disposed between respective surfaces of the first inner arm and the second inner arm and coupled to sliding grooves disposed along the respective surfaces, wherein, when the screw is in an engaged position relative to the crossbar, the pronged structure secures the medical object .

16. The system of Claim 15 further comprising: an annular opening disposed on the body to receive a suture .

17. The system of Claim 16, wherein the crossbar comprises grooves to secure the suture.

18. The system of Claim 17, wherein the body comprises secondary grooves to oppose the crossbar grooves.

19. The system of Claim 15, wherein the medical object comprises at least one of: a lead, a catheter, and a surgical wire.

20. The system of Claim 15, wherein the first inner arm comprises a tapered structure.