Abstract:
Devices and methods for securing a pair of suture lengths together or for using a single strand of suture to secure tissue(s) together at an operative site in a patient without necessarily tying a knot. The suture lock device includes a suturing securing device having an outer body member having a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen defines a suture path through the outer body. An inner wedge member is axially insertable into the outer body member to secure a portion of a suture between the wedge and the interior surface of the lock member. An outer tube has a proximal end and a distal end. The outer tube carries the outer body member at the distal end of the outer tube. The outer tube carries the wedge proximal to the outer body member.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to the following United States Provisional Patent applications having Ser. Nos. 60/502,925 filed Sep. 15, 2003 the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to devices and methods for securing a pair of suture lengths together or for using a single strand of suture to secure tissue(s) together at an operative site in a patient without necessarily tying a knot. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Sutures are used to sew tissue together, and thereby close tissue openings, cuts or incisions during or after any of a very wide variety of medical procedures. Additionally sutures may be utilized to correct patent foramen ovales (PFO) which are openings between the two atria of the heart. Typically, the surgeon manually ties together a suture pair to close the opening. A variety of automatic suture tying systems and suture securing mechanisms have been developed. 
         [0004]    Manually tying sutures together to secure tissue can be very difficult and challenging. For example, manual knot tying requires considerable dexterity in the context of a medical procedure where the surgeon&#39;s hands are gloved or when the suturing is being performed in a part of a patient&#39;s anatomy that is particularly difficult to access. Also, in minimally invasive surgical procedures or in the case of closure of a puncture in a femoral artery after a catheterization procedure, the space adjacent the wound or tissue opening to be sutured is limited by other parts of the patient&#39;s anatomy and in many instances the opening to be closed cannot be visualized, therefore the knot must be formed blindly. 
         [0005]    Also, manual knot tying can be time consuming as well as difficult in instances where the tying process cannot be visualized. Knot tying is further complicated by the fact that surgical sutures generally have low friction surfaces. Therefore, it is typically necessary for a surgeon to include many loops or “throws” when tying a knot. Multiple throws are often required even if an automatic knot tying device is used such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,317 the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Unfortunately, as the number of loops or “throws” incorporated into the knot increases, the knot becomes increasingly large and bulky. Manually tied knots also can become “locked” prior to reaching the intended amount of tension to be applied to the tissue. If the knot becomes “locked” prior to final deployment, the surgeon may be required to remove the suture and place a new suture if possible or resort to other closure methods such as compression if the suture was being utilized to close an opening in a vessel. 
         [0006]    Moreover, the surgeon typically needs to handle suture strands having adequate length prior to commencing manual knot tying. Thus, manual knot tying requires considerable space both in which to view, and to perform, the actual knot tying. Therefore, knot tying is particularly difficult in areas of limited available space or access, for example, at the back of the patient&#39;s heart during a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation or in a tissue tract resulting from a percutaneous transluminal catheterization procedure. 
         [0007]    In addition to those problems described above, many of the sutures utilized for surgical procedures can only be manipulated to a certain degree before failure. For example, when tightening a knot, the suture is placed in tension by the surgeon, too much tension applied to the suture may cause the suture to break. Alternatively, too much tension applied to the suture may cause the suture to be torn from the tissue further complicating closure by creating a larger wound or opening in the tissue which then must be addressed. 
         [0008]    Many knot replacement technologies for use with sutures have been proposed over the years, one example of a knot replacement technology is a deformable clip. Wherein the suture ends are disposed through a deformable member which is then deformed thereby trapping the suture therein. A shortcoming of this design is that the deformable member must be made to be sufficiently deformable but yet have enough strength to retain the suture therein. Further still, there is the possibility of the suture slipping from the deformed clip if the clip was not deformed sufficiently. Lastly, many of these deformable clips are constructed of non-absorbable materials and therefore remain implanted within the patient after use, which may lead to other complications such as infection or irritation of the surrounding tissue. 
         [0009]    Another example of knot replacement technology is the use of a tortuous path, wherein the suture is disposed upon or within a device that contains a tortuous path, wherein friction between the suture and the device is utilized to retain the suture. A potential shortcoming of such devices is that since the suture is not physically retained within the device there is the potential for the suture to slip or loosen from the device. Additionally, many of these devices require a great amount of operator skill or time to dispose the suture therethrough, thereby adding to the complexity of a potentially already complex surgical procedure. 
         [0010]    Therefore, for the above reasons, it would be desirable to provide improved devices, systems, and methods for securing at least one length of suture that has been used to suture tissue together to close an opening formed in the tissue such as a vascular puncture. It would be particularly beneficial if these improved devices provided some or all of the benefits while overcoming one or more of the disadvantages discussed above. 
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide methods and devices that may be utilized in place of forming a knot in a suture to effect a closure of the suture. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a knot replacement device that reduces surgical time by eliminating the need to form a knot during a surgical procedure. 
         [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a knot replacement device with is biocompatible and absorbable, thereby reducing the amount of foreign material remaining implanted within a patient after a surgical procedure. 
         [0014]    These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the claims. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention provides methods and apparatuses that may be utilized to secure at least one end of a suture and retain the suture. The device according to the present invention includes an outer body and an inner wedge member, wherein the outer body includes an opening formed therein, the opening configured to receive at least one suture therethrough. The opening further being sized and configured to receive the inner wedge member therein, whereby the suture and the inner wedge member are frictionally retained within the opening. 
         [0016]    In accordance with the present invention there is provided a suture lock device, the suture lock device including an outer body member having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen defining a suture path through the outer body, an inner wedge member axially insertable into the outer body member to secure a portion of a suture between the wedge and the interior surface of the lock member, an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the outer tube carrying the outer body member at the distal end of the outer tube, the outer tube carrying the wedge proximal to the outer body member, and a pusher member slidable within the outer tube to push the wedge into the lock member. 
         [0017]    In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method of securing and trimming a suture, the method comprising: providing a suturing locking device comprising an outer body member having an aperture disposed therethrough, the aperture defining a suture path through the outer body member; a wedge axially insertable into the outer body member to secure a portion of a suture between the wedge and the interior surface of the outer body member; an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the outer tube carrying the outer body member at the distal end of the outer tube, the outer tube carrying the wedge proximal to the outer body member the outer tube defining a suture tail opening; and a pusher member slidable within the outer tube to push the wedge into the outer body member; advancing a suture through the outer body member and through the suture tail opening; pushing the wedge member into the outer body member to secure the suture; and cutting the suture by shearing the suture between the outer body member and an edge of the suture tail opening. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Referring now to the appended drawings, wherein like numerals are utilized to denote similar objects. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the suture lock in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the outer body of the suture lock of  FIG. 1  as shown in the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the suture lock in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the outer body wherein at least one suture has been disposed therein and the inner wedge member has been partially disposed within an opening formed in the outer body. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a delivery device and the suture lock in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is an exploded assembly view of the delivery device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the distal end of the delivery device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a suture lock in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the suture lock in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is another exemplary embodiment of another alternative embodiment of a suture lock in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a vessel having an opening formed therein and illustrating the use of the delivery device of the present invention with the suture lock disposed therein. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of the vessel after deployment of the suture lock device in accordance with the present invention to effect vessel closure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    Before the present invention is described in such detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth herein as various changes or modifications may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s) to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims made herein. 
         [0032]    Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events. Furthermore, where a range of values is provided, it is understood that every intervening value, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the invention. Also, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variations described may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein. 
         [0033]    All existing subject matter mentioned herein (e.g., publications, patents, patent applications and hardware) is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety except insofar as the subject matter may conflict with that of the present invention (in which case what is present herein shall prevail). The referenced items are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such material by virtue of prior invention. 
         [0034]    Reference to a singular item, includes the possibility that there are plural of the same items present. More specifically, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “and,” “said” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. Last, it is to be appreciated that unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. 
         [0035]    In accordance with the present invention there are provided methods and apparatuses for fixedly retaining at least one suture without having to tie a knot in the suture. The devices in accordance with the present invention include a suture lock device and a delivery device, wherein the delivery device is configured to retain and deliver the suture lock device over at least one suture. The delivery device may further include a suture cutting mechanism, whereby after delivery of the suture lock device the suture is severed. The suture lock device may be constructed of a biocompatible material such as plastics, composites, metals or preferable of a bio-absorbable material. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a suture lock device in accordance with the present invention. The suture lock device will be initially described herein, whereby the delivery device will be described in detail below. The suture lock device includes an outer body, the outer body including an aperture formed therethrough, and an inner wedge member. The inner wedge member is sized to be received within the aperture formed in the outer body. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the suture lock  10  in accordance with the present invention comprises an outer body  20  having a proximal end  22  and a distal end  21 . The outer body further includes an increased diameter section  27  disposed adjacent the distal end  21 , wherein a recessed portion  25  extends from the distal end  21  and partially along the length of the body  20 . The recessed portion  25  terminating a distance from the proximal end  22  of the body  20 . 
         [0038]    The outer body  20  further includes an aperture  30  disposed therethrough. The aperture  30  being sized and configured to receive an inner wedge member  40 , wherein the inner wedge member includes at least one projection  44 , and preferably two projections  44   a  and  44   b  disposed between the distal end  41  and the proximal end  42  of the inner wedge member  40 . 
         [0039]    The outer body  20  and the inner wedge member  40  will preferably be constructed of the same or similar materials. Examples of suitable materials for construction of the outer body  20  and the inner wedge  40  include plastics, composites, metals and ceramics. In a preferred embodiment the outer body and the wedge are constructed of a biocompatible material and more preferably of a biocompatible material that is also bio-absorbable. In a preferred embodiment, the outer body  20  is generally cylindrical in shape, though it is contemplated that the outer body  20  may be formed having other geometric shapes or configurations. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a partial cross-sectional view of the outer body  20  in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , and as previously described, the outer body  20  includes an aperture  30  formed therethrough, wherein the aperture  30  is generally disposed along an axis extending through the outer body  20 . The aperture  30  includes an upper portion  35  and a lower portion  40 , wherein each of the portions are generally formed having a specific shape. 
         [0041]    As shown, the upper portion  35  is preferably formed in the shape of an inverted cone or funnel, wherein the opening has a larger diameter adjacent to its proximal end  36  and a smaller opening adjacent the distal end  37 . As described above, the aperture  30  is constructed having two portions  35  and  40 , wherein the lower portion  40  is preferably formed in the shape of a cone or funnel and has a larger opening adjacent its distal end  41  and a smaller opening adjacent its proximal end  42 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper portion  35  and the lower portion  40  of the aperture  30  are aligned along an axis generally extending through the center of the outer body  20 , thereby forming the aperture  30  having a proximal end  32  and a distal end  33  such that the aperture  30  includes a reduced diameter portion  34  where the upper and lower portions intersect. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  there is shown a partial cross-sectional view of the suture lock  10  in accordance with the present invention, wherein the inner wedge member  40  is shown partially disposed within the aperture  30  formed in the outer body  20 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the inner wedge member  40  includes at least one projection and more preferably two projections  44   a  and  44   b,  wherein, as shown, the projection is sized such that it does not contact the wall of the aperture  30 . Thus, when the inner wedge member  40  is disposed within the aperture  30 , the projections  44  and the inner wedge member form a space  47  between the inner wedge member  40  and the aperture  30 . The inner wedge member  40  may be configured to be fully received within the aperture  30  of the outer body  20  or be configured such that a portion of the inner wedge member adjacent the proximal end  42  extends beyond a proximal surface  22  of the outer body. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  there is shown a cross-sectional view of the suture lock  10  in accordance with the present invention wherein a loop of suture  50  has been disposed through the space  47  formed between the aperture  30  of the outer body  20  and the inner wedge member  40 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the suture  50  is in communication with the wedge  40  and the wall of the aperture  30  and wherein projections  44  engage a surface of the suture  50 . The space  47  is sized and dimensioned so that the frictional forces between the suture and the components described above provide a sufficient amount of force to retain the suture and the inner wedge member within the aperture  30 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the inner wedge member is not fully disposed within the aperture  30 . In use, the inner wedge member  40  would be advanced into the aperture  30  of the outer body  20  until the projections  44   a  and  44   b  are sufficiently contained within the aperture  30  of the outer body. It is further contemplated that the inner wedge member may be configured to extend beyond the proximal end of the outer body member  20  when disposed in a final position. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  of the present invention there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a delivery device in accordance with the present invention. The delivery device includes a handle member including a trigger and an elongated shaft portion, wherein the elongated shaft portion is configured to engage and deploy the suture lock in accordance with methods of the present invention. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the delivery device  100  includes a handle member  110  having a trigger  120  and an elongate tube member  140  extending from a distal end of the handle member  110 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an exploded view of the delivery device  100  in accordance with the present invention wherein only one side of the handle member  110  is shown. In accordance with the present invention, the delivery device includes a handle member  110  and an elongated tubular member  140 . The handle member  110  is configured to house a trigger member  120  and a pusher member  155 , wherein the trigger member  120  is configured to be in communication with a proximal portion of a pusher member  155 . The pusher member being configured to be slidably disposed within the elongated tubular member  140 . 
         [0047]    Referring now to the trigger member, the trigger member  120  has a distal end  121  and a proximal end  122 , wherein the proximal end includes a plurality of projections  123 , whereby the plurality of projections form a gear member  124 . The trigger member  120  further includes a biasing member  127 , the biasing member is configured to be in communication with a portion of the trigger member  120  and the handle member  110 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to the pusher member, the pusher member  155  includes a distal end  157  and a proximal end  158 , wherein the proximal end includes a plurality of projections formed therein, wherein the projections form a gear member  159 . The gear member  159  of the pusher member  155  is configured to engage the gear member  124  of the trigger member. Wherein, movement of the trigger member  120  will be translated to the pusher member  155  through the interaction of the gear members. The distal end  157  of the pusher member  155  is configured to engage and detachably retain the inner wedge member  40 . Further still, the pusher member  155  includes at least one cutting member  156  disposed adjacent the distal end  157  thereof, wherein the cutting member  156  will be further described below in connection with methods according to the present invention. 
         [0049]    Referring now to the elongated tubular member  140 , wherein the elongated tubular member  140  has a proximal end  142  and a distal end  143  with a bore  141  extending therebetween. The bore  141  is configured to slidably receive the pusher member  155  as described above. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a hub  144  may be disposed at or about the proximal end of the elongated tubular member  140 , wherein the hub is configured to engage the two halves of the handle member  110  thereby retaining the two halves of the handle members. The distal end of the tubular member  140  will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a partial view of the distal end  143  of the tubular member  140 . The distal end  143  of the tubular member  140  further includes at least one tab  146  formed therein, whereby the tab is formed in the wall of the tubular member adjacent to the distal end, such that a portion of the tab may be configured to extend into the bore  141  of the tubular member  140 . The tab  146  of the tubular body  140  is configured to engage the recessed portion  25  of the outer housing  20  as will be described in greater detail below with regard to the methods according to the present invention. The tubular member  140  further includes a suture tail opening  147  disposed adjacent to the distal end  143 , wherein the suture tail opening  147  is configured and sized to receive a suture therethrough. 
         [0051]    In addition to that described above, the tubular body  140  additionally includes at least one and more preferably two wedge retention tabs  149 . The wedge retention tabs  149  are formed in the wall of the tubular body adjacent to the distal end  143  thereof The wedge retention tabs are configured to detachably retain the inner wedge member in a position adjacent to the proximal end  22  of the outer body  20  and adjacent to the suture tail opening  147 . The function of the wedge retaining tabs  149  will be described in more detail below with regard to the methods of use of the present invention. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an exemplary embodiment of an alternative embodiment of a suture lock in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals have been utilized to denote similar components. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the suture lock  200  in accordance with the alternative embodiment includes an outer body  220  having a proximal end  222  and a distal end  221  and an aperture  230  formed therethrough. The suture lock  200  further includes an inner wedge member  240 , wherein the inner wedge member is sized and configured to be received within the aperture  230  of the outer body  220 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the inner wedge member includes a projection  244  formed on one side thereof and an alignment member  245  disposed on the other side thereof. Suture lock  200  is configured to be used in conjunction with a single suture tail as will be described below with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown the suture lock  200  in accordance with the present invention wherein a suture  5  has been disposed through the aperture  230  of the suture lock  200 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the suture  5  is configured such that the suture only includes a single suture tail, wherein the suture includes a pre-formed loop  6  formed therein. The pre-formed loop may be formed by tying a knot in the suture using known knot tying methods, or the loop may be formed in the suture during manufacture of the suture. For example, the loop maybe formed using molding, extrusion or heat forming. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the suture tail  8  is passed through the loop  6  and then passed through the aperture  230  of the suture lock, wherein the inner wedge member  240  is disposed within the lumen, such that the suture is frictionally retained between the wall of the aperture and the inner wedge member. It is contemplated that the suture loop may be formed with a sliding knot  7 , wherein the sliding knot allows the loop to close down on the suture passed through the loop, thereby locking the suture and the loop together. 
         [0055]    In yet another alternative embodiment as shown in  FIG. 10 , it is contemplated that one end of the suture  5  may be overmolded with the outer body  20  as shown, thereby eliminating the need for a suture loop as previously described. By overmolding one end of the suture within the outer body of the suture lock, one end of the suture is fixedly retained within the outer housing body, thereby eliminating the need for a pre-formed suture loop. Further still, in use, the other end of the suture does not need to be passed through a pre-formed loop before being disposed through the patient&#39;s tissue adjacent the opening to be closed, thereby simplifying the closure process. 
       Methods of Use 
       [0056]    The device according to the present invention will now be described in use, the description of the methods below should be considered exemplary in nature and should not be considered limiting in any manner. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of a patient&#39;s vessel, wherein a suture has been placed across the opening in the vessel wall using a device such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,010, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. After placing the suture across the opening, the ends of the suture are drawn through the outer body  20  of the suture lock  10  with the use of a suture snare  11  as shown in  FIG. 11 , thereby passing the suture ends through the aperture  30  of the outer body and wherein the ends of the suture extend through the suture tail openings  147  formed in the elongated tubular member  140 . 
         [0058]    After the suture ends have been disposed through the suture lock  10  and the elongated tubular member, the operator utilizes the handle of the delivery device  100  to place the distal end of the suture lock adjacent to the opening formed in the vessel as shown in  FIG. 12 . In addition to placing the distal end of the suture lock adjacent to the vessel surface, the user applies tension to the suture ends. Once the suture lock  10  is placed in a desired position, and sufficient tension is applied to the suture ends, the operator then actuates the trigger  120  of the delivery device. 
         [0059]    Upon actuation of the trigger  120 , the pusher member engages the inner wedge member  40  and advances the inner wedge member  40  into the aperture  30  of ythe outer body  20 , wherein the inner wedge member is released from the wedge retention tabs  149  by the pusher member  155 . The pusher member  155  drives the inner wedge member  40  into the aperture  30 . The projections  44   a  and  44   b  engage the suture wherein the suture frictionally engages the inner wall member of the aperture  30  adjacent to the inner wedge member  40 . Once the inner wedge  40  has been disposed within the aperture  30 , the pusher member  155  continues to advance thereby applying a force to the inner wedge member, such that the force applied to the inner wedge member is greater than the retention force applied by the tabs  146  to the outer body member  20 , thereby expelling the suture lock from the distal end of the delivery device  100 . Additionally, the suture ends which have been disposed through the suture tail openings  143  are severed by the distal movement of the pusher member  155 . 
         [0060]    Once the suture lock  10  has been expelled from the delivery device  10 , the delivery device can then be removed from the tissue tract of the patient. The suture and the suture lock  10  remain within the vessel and adjacent to the vessel to close the opening formed in the vessel wall. 
         [0061]    It is contemplated that the delivery device  10  may include a lumen extending from the handle to the distal end of the device, wherein the lumen may be configured to deliver a beneficial agent adjacent to the opening in the vessel wall, or at any location within the tissue tract. It is further contemplated that the suture lock in accordance with the present invention may be deployed through a sheath or other medical device which may be deployed within the tissue tract. 
         [0062]    Although the present invention has been described for use with a suture having two suture ends it is contemplated according to the alternative embodiments of the present invention that the suture lock may be integrally formed with one end of the suture or be used with a suture having a pre-formed loop, wherein the free suture end would be passed through the suture loop, through the vessel wall, across the opening and back through the tissue wall, whereby the free end of the suture would then be passed through the aperture of the suture lock. It is further contemplated that the suture lock may be integrally formed with a suture delivery device such as that shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,010, wherein the device of the &#39;010 patent would deliver a suture across an opening and deploy the suture lock to close the opening in the tissue. 
         [0063]    Although the present invention has been shown and described as being utilized to close an opening formed in a vessel wall, it is contemplated that the suture lock may be utilized to close other openings in tissue, such as PFOs. 
         [0064]    It is further contemplated that the suture and the suture lock in accordance with the present invention may be constructed of a bio-absorbable material, thus, at a time after the surgical procedure no foreign material would remain within the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0065]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred form of the device and methods of practicing it and modifications thereto, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many other modifications can be made thereto within the scope of the claims that follow. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.