# US 11,439,431 B2 · Laparoscopic sizing instrument > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,431 B2 - Document ID: US11439431B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/078,145 - Filed: 2020-10-23 - Published: 2021-02-11 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-01 - Assignees: Cilag GmbH International - Applicants: Torax Medical, Inc.; Cilag GmbH International - Inventors: Lauren E. Flakne; Michael D. Auld; Brett E. Swensgard; Kyle P. Taylor; Celeste L. Huster; Jerome K. Grudem, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439431B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/3423: {Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands (access sites for liquids A61M39/0247)} - A61B 90/06: {Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for} - A61B 17/2909: {Handles} - A61B 5/107: Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof - A61B 2017/00827: {Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux} - A61B 2017/00876: {magnetic} - A61B 2017/2905: {flexible} - A61B 2017/345: {for introduction into a natural body opening} - A61B 2090/061: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an auto-tensioning feature. The handle assembly includes a body and a plunger. The shaft assembly includes an external sheath that is fixed to the handle body and an interior shaft that is coupled to the plunger. The interior shaft is slidable relative to the external sheath. The end effector is configured to encompass a bodily lumen and includes a flexible member extending distally from the interior shaft. A first coupling element is fixed to the distal tip of the flexible member. A second coupling element is fixed to the external sheath. The first and second coupling elements are magnetically attracted to each other and are biased toward each other such that the flexible member defines an adjustable loop. The auto-tensioning feature is configured to bias the plunger portion proximally relative to the handle body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: (a) a base assembly, wherein the base assembly comprises: (i) a base body, and (ii) an actuating body longitudinally movable relative to the base body; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the base assembly, wherein the shaft assembly comprises: (i) a first elongate member fixed to the base body, and (ii) a second elongate member coupled to the actuating body, wherein the second elongate member is longitudinally movable relative to the first elongate member; (c) an end effector configured to encompass a bodily lumen, wherein the end effector comprises: (i) a flexible member comprising a distal tip, wherein the flexible member extends distally from the second elongate member, (ii) a first coupling element fixed to the distal tip of the flexible member, and (iii) a second coupling element fixed to the first elongate member, wherein the first and second coupling elements are configured to be magnetically attracted to each other, wherein the first and second coupling elements are biased toward each other such that the flexible member defines an adjustable loop; and (d) an auto-tensioning feature configured to bias the actuating body proximally relative to the base body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base body comprises a plurality of indicator markings. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the actuating body comprises an indicating feature. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuating body defines a locking recess. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base assembly further comprises a locking clip, wherein the locking clip is configured mate with the locking recess of the actuating body when the actuating body is in a distal position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base body defines a proximal sleeve, wherein the actuating body is slidably coupled within the proximal sleeve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the proximal sleeve comprises a first flat surface, wherein the actuating body comprises a second flat surface, wherein the first flat surface and the second flat surface are configured to mate with each other to rotationally lock the actuating body relative to the base assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuating body comprises an external plunger body and a support collar fixed within the external plunger body, wherein the second elongate member is fixed to the support collar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the auto-tensioning feature comprises a spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the spring is housed within the first elongate member of the shaft assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first elongate member comprises a spacer tube, wherein the spring abuts against the spacer tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the actuating body defines a distal opening, wherein a portion of the spring extends into the distal opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexible member comprises a resilient tube. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the resilient tube is biased to define the adjustable loop. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base assembly comprises a locking collar, wherein the first elongate member is fixed to the locking collar. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first coupling element comprises a magnet. ### Claim 17 An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: (a) a base assembly, wherein the base assembly comprises: (i) a base body, and (ii) an actuating body longitudinally movable relative to the base body; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the base assembly, wherein the shaft assembly comprises: (i) a first elongate member fixed to the base body, and (ii) a second elongate member coupled to the actuating body, wherein the second elongate member is longitudinally movable relative to the first elongate member; (c) an end effector configured to encompass a bodily lumen, wherein the end effector comprises a flexible member comprising a distal tip, wherein the flexible member extends distally from the second elongate member, wherein the flexible member is biased to define an adjustable loop; and (d) an auto-tensioning feature positioned within one of the first or second elongate members and around the other of the first or second elongate members, wherein the auto-tensioning feature is configured to bias the actuating body proximally relative to the base body to reduce the adjustable loop defined by the flexible member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the actuating body is rotationally fixed relative to the base body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first elongate member comprises a spacer tube, wherein the auto-tensioning feature abuts against the spacer tube. ### Claim 20 An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: (a) a base assembly, wherein the base assembly comprises: (i) a base body, and (ii) an actuating body longitudinally movable relative to the base body; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the base assembly, wherein the shaft assembly comprises: (i) a first elongate member fixed against movement relative to the base body, wherein the first elongate member includes a first distal end, and (ii) a second elongate member fixed against movement relative to the actuating body, wherein the second elongate member includes a second distal end; (c) an end effector configured to encompass a bodily lumen, wherein the end effector comprises a flexible member attached to the second elongate member and having a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the flexible member is fixed against movement relative to the second distal end of the second elongate member, wherein a distal portion of the flexible member extends distally past the first distal end of the first elongate member, wherein the distal portion of the flexible member is biased to form an adjustable loop; and (d) an auto-tensioning feature configured to bias the actuating body proximally relative to the base body.