Patent ID: 8958891
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A suture sleeve comprising: a) a tubular insert comprising an annular insert sidewall having an insert length and defining an insert throughbore extending along a longitudinal axis between and to spaced apart first and second open insert ends, wherein the insert sidewall has an insert thickness extending from an inner annular insert surface to an outer annular insert surface; b) at least one slot extending part-way into the insert sidewall from the outer insert surface thereof to thereby provide a slot depth that is less than the insert thickness with the inner insert surface being uninterrupted by the slot, wherein the slot has a spiral pattern extending around the insert sidewall and axially along the longitudinal axis at least part-way along the insert length; c) first and second tubes, each tube comprising a tube sidewall having a tube length that is partially received within a respective one of the first and second open insert ends to thereby provide a received portion of each of the first and second tube lengths, the received portions having respective received lengths that together are less than the insert length, wherein the first and second tubes each define a tube throughbore that is in open communication with the insert throughbore, and d) wherein an inner tube diameter at the respective first and second tube throughbores is less than an inner insert diameter at the insert throughbore to thereby provide respective steps from the inner tube diameter of the first and second tubes outwardly to the inner insert diameter so that the insert throughbore is constricted by the first and second tube throughbores; and e) a polymeric body encasing at least part of the outer insert surface including the slot and encasing at least part of the first and second tubes other than their respective received portions where the first and second tubes are received in the respective first and second open insert ends.