# US 11,076,847 B2 · Device for supporting an endoscopic tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,076,847 B2 - Document ID: US11076847B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/619,832 - Filed: 2018-04-13 - Published: 2020-04-30 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-15 - Assignees: Endo Tools Therapeutics S.A. - Applicants: Endo Tools Therapeutics S.A. - Inventors: Martin Hiernaux; Loulia Leclercq; Simon Goldstein; Alexandre Chau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076847B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/0469: {Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery} - A61B 1/0014: {Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands} - A61B 17/0482: {Needle or suture guides (guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; guides for puncturing needles A61B17/3403)} - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 2017/00296: {mounted on an endoscope} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A device for supporting an endoscopic tool may include opposite first and second arms extending along a first axis. An attachment system is configured to attach the first arm and the second arm to an endoscope. A curved guide for the endoscopic tool is coupled to the first arm, and has an outlet for launching the endoscopic tool. An angled tissue support surface is provided on the second arm, facing the outlet. The outlet is fixable in a working orientation relative to the first axis, and in the working orientation, a recess of the tissue support surface is configured to accept the endoscopic tool when launched from the outlet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for supporting an endoscopic tool, the device comprising: opposite first and second arms extending along a first axis from a proximal end to a distal end, an attachment system configured to attach the first arm and the second arm to an endoscope at the proximal end, a deployment system operable to translate the first and second arms relative to each other in a direction cross to the first axis to adjust a spacing between the first and second arms, a guide for the endoscopic tool coupled to the first arm, the guide comprising an outlet for launching the endoscopic tool, a tissue support surface provided on the second arm, facing the outlet, and a recess adjacent the tissue support surface, wherein the tissue support surface projects from the second arm in a direction transverse to the first axis, wherein the outlet is fixable or fixed in a working orientation relative to the first axis, and in the working orientation, the recess is configured to accept the endoscopic tool when launched from the outlet, wherein, in the working orientation, a centerline of the guide is curved between the proximal end and the outlet with a radius of curvature being at least 12.5 mm in a direction towards the tissue support surface, and wherein the tissue support surface is oriented at one or more second angles between 35° and 120° relative to the first axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein a first tangent to the centerline at the outlet is inclined with respect to the first axis at a first angle between 15° and 60° towards the tissue support surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more second angles are between 35° and 85° relative to the first axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the centerline is curved between the proximal end and the outlet with a curvature which does not change sign. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the deployment system comprises at least one cable linking the first arm to the second arm, the at least one cable being operable to move the first arm relative to the second arm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm comprise at the proximal end respective first and second attachment members for attachment to the endoscope, and wherein the deployment system is operable to hold the first and second attachment members in a first position attached to the endoscope. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the second arm comprises an intermediate section connecting the second attachment member of the second arm and the tissue support surface, wherein the intermediate section extends parallel to the first axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first arm comprises at least one pivotal hinged section, wherein the guide extends through the pivotal hinged section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An assembly, comprising the device of claim 1 and a suturing needle, wherein the suturing needle comprises a rigid part extending from a tip of the suturing needle, the rigid part having a length of at least 10 mm, and wherein the rigid part is movable through the guide. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein adjacent the distal end, the first arm comprises a channel in a fixed orientation relative to the first axis, wherein the channel extends from the proximal end to the outlet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein, in a deployed configuration, the second arm extends substantially beyond the first arm in direction of the distal end, wherein a spacing between the outlet and the tissue support surface is at least 5 mm as measured along a first tangent to the centerline of the guide at the outlet. ### Claim 12 A device for supporting an endoscopic tool, the device comprising: opposite first and second arms extending along a first axis from a proximal end to a distal end, an attachment system configured to attach the first arm and the second arm to an endoscope at the proximal end, a deployment system operable to translate the first and second arms relative to each other in a direction cross to the first axis to adjust a spacing between the first and second arms, a guide for the endoscopic tool coupled to the first arm, the guide comprising an outlet for launching the endoscopic tool, a tissue support surface provided on the second arm, facing the outlet, and a recess adjacent the tissue support surface, wherein the tissue support surface projects from the second arm in a direction transverse to the first axis, wherein the outlet is fixable or fixed in a working orientation relative to the first axis, and in the working orientation, the recess is configured to accept the endoscopic tool when launched from the outlet, wherein, in the working orientation, a first tangent to a centerline of the guide at the outlet is inclined with respect to the first axis at a first angle between 15° and 60° towards the tissue support surface, and wherein the tissue support surface is oriented at a second angle between 35° and 120° relative to the first axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the centerline of the guide is curved in the working orientation between the proximal end and the outlet with a radius of curvature being at least 12.5 mm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the radius of curvature is at least 20 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the guide comprises a rectilinear section at the proximal end, and wherein the centerline of the guide between the rectilinear section and the outlet is curved with a curvature which does not change sign. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein adjacent the distal end, the first arm comprises a channel in a fixed orientation relative to the first axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the channel extends from the proximal end to the outlet. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the channel comprises a rectilinear section at the proximal end, and a curved section between the rectilinear section and the outlet, wherein the curved section comprises a curved centerline having a curvature which does not change sign. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the guide extends through the channel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein, in a deployed configuration, the second arm extends substantially beyond the first arm in direction of the distal end, wherein a spacing between the outlet and the tissue support surface is at least 5 mm as measured along the first tangent.