Patent ID: 6679896
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of spacing a suture in a surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:a. providing a suture spacer comprising: (i) a first member including a proximal end and a distal end; (ii) a second member including a proximal end and a distal end, a distal portion of the second member comprising a cross-sectional area, the first and second members having a thickness dimension; and (iii) a pivot disposed between the first and second members such that the application of a compressive force upon the proximal ends of the first and second members results in movement of the distal ends away from each other; b. placing a suture between the first and second members; c. tying the suture around the spacer so as to traverse the thickness dimension and the cross-sectional area, the thickness dimension and the cross-sectional area cooperating to create a predetermined amount of slack in the suture; and d. compressing the proximal ends and removing the suture from between the first and second members, the suture retaining the predetermined amount of slack.