DR. GREGORY LLOYD RUFF, M.D.
Medical Practice at Vilcom Ctr, Chapel Hill, NC
License number
North Carolina 13710
Category
Medical Practice
Type
Specialist
Address
Address
55 Vilcom Center Dr STE 310, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone
(919) 967-0000
(919) 967-0070 (Fax)
(919) 967-0070 (Fax)
Professional information
Suture Anchor And Method
US Patent:
7371253, May 13, 2008
Filed:
Aug 9, 2004
Appl. No.:
10/914755
Inventors:
Jeffrey C. Leung - Raleigh NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Andrew Kaplan - Hillsborough NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Andrew Kaplan - Hillsborough NC, US
Assignee:
Quill Medical, Inc. - North Bend WA
International Classification:
A61B 17/04
US Classification:
606228
Abstract:
A suture anchor for approximating tissue to bone comprises an anchor member for securing the suture anchor to the bone and a plurality of sutures mounted to the anchor member so that the sutures extend outwardly from the anchor member. Each suture has a sharp pointed end for penetrating the tissue and a plurality of barbs which permit movement of the sutures through the tissue in one direction of movement of the pointed end and prevent movement of the sutures relative to the tissue in the opposite direction. The ends of the sutures are inserted and pushed through the tissue along a curvilinear path in a direction away from the bone. The sutures are drawn from exit points longitudinally spaced from the points of insertion and reinserted and advanced along a curvilinear path in the direction away from the bone. The sutures are drawn through the tissue while approximating the tissue adjacent the bone along the suture and leaving a length of the sutures in the tissue. The exit and entry points of two of the sutures are adjacent and the paths of the sutures substantially mirror one another.
Tissue Connector With Tissue Grasping Protrusions Equally Spaced About The Periphery Of The Connector At Successive Axial Locations
US Patent:
2010029, Nov 25, 2010
Filed:
Aug 4, 2010
Appl. No.:
12/849884
Inventors:
Gregory L. Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
International Classification:
A61B 17/03
US Classification:
606213
Abstract:
A tissue connector has a first end, a second end, a body with a periphery and a plurality of tissue grasping protrusions extending from said periphery of said body. The plurality of protrusions are adapted to grasp tissue in one direction of movement of the connector through tissue and are not adapted to grasp tissue in an opposite direction of movement of the connector through tissue. At axial locations of said body, three of said protrusions are about equally located about the periphery of said body. At axial locations on a cylindrical periphery of the body, protrusions are located at about 120 degree spacings.
Continuous Stitch Wound Closure Utilizing One-Way Suture
US Patent:
2010029, Nov 25, 2010
Filed:
Aug 4, 2010
Appl. No.:
12/850186
Inventors:
Jeffrey C. Leung - Raleigh NC, US
Matthew A. Megaro - Chapel Hill NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Andrew Kaplan - Hillsborough NC, US
Matthew A. Megaro - Chapel Hill NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Andrew Kaplan - Hillsborough NC, US
International Classification:
A61B 17/06
US Classification:
606150, 606139
Abstract:
Continuous wound-closure techniques use one-way suture. The one-way suture has tissue-grasping surface features which allow passage of the suture in one direction through tissue, but not in the opposite direction. In closing a wound, the one-way suture is passed alternately through tissue on opposed sides of the wound. The wound-closure techniques allow approximation of the sides of the wound without knots, avoid loop stitching and reduce scarring.
Anastomosis Method Using Self-Retaining Sutures
US Patent:
2010029, Nov 25, 2010
Filed:
Aug 4, 2010
Appl. No.:
12/850362
Inventors:
Jeffrey C. Leung - Raleigh NC, US
Matthew A. Megaro - Chapel Hill NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Andrew Kaplan - Hillsborough NC, US
Matthew A. Megaro - Chapel Hill NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Andrew Kaplan - Hillsborough NC, US
International Classification:
A61B 17/04
US Classification:
606232
Abstract:
An anastomosis procedure utilizes a self-retaining suture to secure one vessel to another vessel. One or more self-retaining sutures are deployed around the interface between the vessels. The self-retaining sutures have tissue-grasping surface features which allow passage of the sutures in one direction through tissue, but not in the opposite direction. The self-retaining sutures may be deployed using a needle attached to the end of the sutures. The anastomosis technique may be performed without using knots.
Barbed Bodily Tissue Connector
US Patent:
6241747, Jun 5, 2001
Filed:
Oct 18, 1994
Appl. No.:
8/324529
Inventors:
Gregory L. Ruff - Chapel Hill NC
Assignee:
Quill Medical, Inc. - Research Triangle Park NC
International Classification:
A61B 1708
US Classification:
606216
Abstract:
A barbed tissue connector is disclosed for use in closing a body wound. The connector includes an elongated body and a pointed end to facilitate insertion of the connector into tissue. A plurality of closely-spaced barbs are disposed on the body from the pointed end of the connector to a predetermined location on the body. The barbs are yieldable toward the body to make it easier to insert the connector in tissue, and the barbs are generally rigid in an opposite direction to hold the connector in the tissue. The body of the connector is substantially rigid and is sufficiently resilient to return to a predetermined position after deflection therefrom. The connector can be manually inserted into the tissue of a patient, or the connector can be inserted by means of an inserting device which is retracted after the connector is in place.
Endoscopic Systems Using Self-Retaining Sutures
US Patent:
2010030, Dec 2, 2010
Filed:
Aug 4, 2010
Appl. No.:
12/850289
Inventors:
Jeffrey C. Leung - Raleigh NC, US
Matthew A. Megaro - Chapel Hill NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Andrew Kaplan - Hillsborough NC, US
Matthew A. Megaro - Chapel Hill NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Andrew Kaplan - Hillsborough NC, US
International Classification:
A61B 17/04, A61B 1/04
US Classification:
600106, 606139
Abstract:
Endoscopic systems utilize self-retaining sutures to approximate tissue in a cavity of a subject. An endoscopic instrument is provided containing the self-retaining suture. The endoscopic instrument may be provided in combination with an endoscope and/or an endoscopic manipulator. The endoscopic instrument is passed through a cavity wall into a cavity of a patient. The self-retaining suture is deployed, using the endoscopic instrument, into a first tissue portion and a second tissue portion within the cavity. The self-retaining suture may be deployed endoscopically in patterns which include, purse string stitch, alpha stitch, linear stitching, curvilinear stitching, continuous helical stitch, and continuous sinusoidal stitch.
Barbed Tissue Connector
US Patent:
7806908, Oct 5, 2010
Filed:
Jan 2, 2008
Appl. No.:
11/968494
Inventors:
Gregory L. Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
International Classification:
A61B 17/08
US Classification:
606216, 606213
Abstract:
A barbed bodily tissue connector for insertion into tissue comprises an elongated body having a substantially polygonal periphery in cross-section including at least three sides. Each side meets an adjacent side at an edge of the elongated body. A plurality of barbs project from the edges of the body. The barbs are configured such that they are yieldable in a direction toward the body and resist retraction from tissue in an opposite direction.
Tissue Connector With Yieldable Barbs Equally Spaced About The Periphery Of The Connector At Successive Axial Locations
US Patent:
2010029, Nov 25, 2010
Filed:
Aug 4, 2010
Appl. No.:
12/849901
Inventors:
Gregory L. Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
International Classification:
A61B 17/03
US Classification:
606215
Abstract:
A tissue connector has a first end, a second end, a body with a periphery and a plurality of barbs extending from said periphery of said body. The plurality of barbs are yieldable in one direction and are rigid in an opposite direction. At axial locations of said body, three of said barbs are about equally located about the periphery of said body. At axial locations on a cylindrical periphery of the body, barbs are located at about 120 degree spacings.
Suture Method
US Patent:
2006011, May 25, 2006
Filed:
Feb 10, 2006
Appl. No.:
11/307520
Inventors:
Andrew Kaplan - Hillsborough NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Jeffrey Leung - Raleigh NC, US
Matthew Megaro - Chapel Hill NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Jeffrey Leung - Raleigh NC, US
Matthew Megaro - Chapel Hill NC, US
International Classification:
A61B 17/08
US Classification:
606153000
Abstract:
A method for joining and holding closed a wound in bodily tissue, fastening junctions of wounds, tying off wounds, joining a foreign element to tissue, and altering the position of tissue using a barbed suture including sharp pointed ends. Each end of the suture includes barbs on that permit movement in an opposing direction to the barbs on the other end of the suture. This two-way barbed suture is used by the method of the present invention in applications including abdominal surgeries such as a Nissen fundoplication, laparoscopic uses such as stabilizing a bowel structure and performing a closure of a cystostomy, liver to bowel anastomosis, closure of an orifice of a Zenker's Diverticulum, endoscopic uses such as closure of ulcerative lesions or and post-procedural tissue defects, bladder wound closure, valve replacement surgery, device attachment, cosmetic surgery, and blood vessel wound closure.
Suture Method
US Patent:
2006011, May 25, 2006
Filed:
Feb 10, 2006
Appl. No.:
11/307521
Inventors:
Andrew Kaplan - Hillsborough NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Jeffrey Leung - Raleigh NC, US
Matthew Megaro - Chapel Hill NC, US
Gregory Ruff - Chapel Hill NC, US
Jeffrey Leung - Raleigh NC, US
Matthew Megaro - Chapel Hill NC, US
International Classification:
A61L 17/00
US Classification:
606228000
Abstract:
A method for joining and holding closed a wound in bodily tissue, fastening junctions of wounds, tying off wounds, joining a foreign element to tissue, and altering the position of tissue using a barbed suture including sharp pointed ends. Each end of the suture includes barbs on that permit movement in an opposing direction to the barbs on the other end of the suture. This two-way barbed suture is used by the method of the present invention in applications including abdominal surgeries such as a Nissen fundoplication, laparoscopic uses such as stabilizing a bowel structure and performing a closure of a cystostomy, liver to bowel anastomosis, closure of an orifice of a Zenker's Diverticulum, endoscopic uses such as closure of ulcerative lesions or and post-procedural tissue defects, bladder wound closure, valve replacement surgery, device attachment, cosmetic surgery, and blood vessel wound closure.