Surgical threading device

Abstract

A threading device that includes an elongated tube having first and second opposite ends and a fiberoptic core. The elongated tube includes an interior and a suture securing location defined therein. At least one of the ends of the elongated tube includes a blunt tip that is translucent. The fiberoptic core includes at least one fiberoptic strand extending through the interior of the elongated tube that illuminates the translucent tip when the at least one fiberoptic strand is energized.

1 . A threading device for suturing, the device comprising:
 a. an elongated tube having first and second opposite ends, an interior and a suture securing location, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the elongated tube includes a blunt tip, wherein the blunt tip is translucent, and   b. a fiberoptic core comprising at least one fiberoptic strand extending through the interior of the elongated tube, whereby the translucent tip is illuminated when the at least one fiberoptic strand is energized.   
     
     
         2 . The threading device of  claim 1  wherein the elongated tube is malleable. 
     
     
         3 . The threading device of  claim 2  wherein the suture securing location is defined at approximately the longitudinal center of the elongated tube. 
     
     
         4 . The threading device of  claim 3 , wherein the elongated tube is made of metal. 
     
     
         5 . The threading device of  claim 1  further comprising a suture permanently attached to the suture securing location. 
     
     
         6 . The threading device of  claim 3  further comprising a suture secured to the suture securing location. 
     
     
         7 . The threading device of  claim 3  further comprising a suture permanently attached to the suture securing location. 
     
     
         8 . A threading device for suturing, the device comprising:
 a. an elongated tube having first and second opposite ends and an interior, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the elongated tube includes a blunt tip, wherein the blunt tip is translucent, wherein the elongated tube is malleable,   b. a fiberoptic core comprising at least one fiberoptic strand extending through the interior of the elongated tube, whereby the translucent tip is illuminated when the at least one fiberoptic strand is energized, and   c. a suture permanently attached to the elongated tube at approximately the longitudinal center thereof.   
     
     
         9 . A method of creating a suture support matrix under the skin of a person, the method comprising the steps of
 a. providing a suture having first and second opposite ends, wherein the suture has a first threading device connected to the first end and a second threading device connected to the second end, wherein the first and second threading devices each include an elongated main body portion having first and second opposite ends,   b. inserting the first threading device through a first opening in the skin,   c. pulling at least a portion of the first threading device through a second opening in the skin,   d. reinserting the first threading device through the second opening in the skin,   e. pulling the first threading device through a third opening in the skin,   f. disconnecting the first threading device from the first end of the suture,   g. inserting the second threading device through the first opening in the skin,   h. pulling the at least a portion of the second threading device through a fourth opening in the skin,   i. reinserting the second threading device through the fourth opening in the skin,   j. pulling the second threading device through the third opening in the skin,   k. disconnecting the second threading device from the second end of the suture, and   l. tying the first and second ends of the suture into a knot.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the user performing the method connects the first and second ends of the suture to the first and second threading devices, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the first and second ends of the suture are permanently connected to the first and second threading devices, respectively. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the first and second threading devices each include at least one lighted tip. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the first and second threading devices each include a fiberoptic core. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the first threading device is connected to a handset before being inserted through the first opening in the skin, and wherein the first threading device is disconnected from the handset after at least a portion of the first threading device has been pulled through the second opening in the skin. 
     
     
         15 . A method of creating a suture support matrix under the skin of a person, the method comprising the steps of
 a. connecting a threading device to the first end of a suture, wherein the threading device includes an elongated main body portion having first and second opposite ends,   b. inserting the threading device through a first opening in the skin,   c. pulling at least a portion of the threading device through a second opening in the skin,   d. reinserting the threading device through the second opening in the skin,   e. pulling the threading device through a third opening in the skin,   f. disconnecting the threading device from the first end of the suture,   g. connecting a threading device to the second end of the suture,   h. inserting the threading device through the first opening in the skin,   i. pulling the threading device through a fourth opening in the skin,   j. reinserting the threading device through the fourth opening in the skin,   k. pulling the threading device through the third opening in the skin,   l. disconnecting the threading device from the second end of the suture, and   m. tying the first and second ends of the suture into a knot.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the threading device connected to the first and second ends of the suture is the same threading device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the threading device connected to the first end of the suture is different from the threading device connected to the second end of the suture.