On Tie Rod Through Stack Patents (Class 132/153)
  • Patent number: 8460339
    Abstract: A suture clamp comprising a plurality of elements positioned together in a row, each element of the plurality of elements having a lower portion separated from an upper portion by a flexible neck, each element of the plurality of elements including a slot having an outwardly facing opening, the slots from the plurality of elements configured to accept a suture element through the row of elements and secure the suture element. A method of clamping a suture, including applying a biasing force to at least one element into the first position to provide access to the outwardly facing opening of the slot, passing the suture through a tissue layer, receiving the suture into the slot through the outward facing opening, and removing the biasing force to form a tortuous path between adjacently positioned elements of the plurality of elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Steven C. Anderson