# US 12,004,937 B1 · Blunt dissector, delivery and deployment device for delivery and deployment of surgical mesh during soft tissue repairs > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,937 B1 - Document ID: US12004937B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/413,313 - Filed: 2024-01-16 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2023-01-13 - Assignees: Sheridan Technologies LLC - Applicants: Sheridan Technologies LLC - Inventors: John W. Huelskamp - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004937B1 ## CPC - A61F 2/0063: {Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes} - A61F 2002/0072: {Delivery tools therefor} - A61F 2210/0076: multilayered, e.g. laminated structures - A61F 2220/0008: Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Apparatus for delivering a surgical mesh, the apparatus comprising: a hollow outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end; a distal housing mounted to the distal end of the hollow outer tube; a hollow inner tube having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the hollow inner tube is slidably disposed within the hollow outer tube; a central rod having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the central rod is slidably disposed within the hollow inner tube; an actuation element mounted to the proximal end of the central rod; and a surgical mesh carriage comprising a plurality of legs, wherein each of the plurality of legs comprises a first hinged end mounted to the distal end of the hollow inner tube and a second hinged end mounted to the distal end of the central rod. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for delivering a surgical mesh, the apparatus comprising: a hollow outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end; a distal housing mounted to the distal end of the hollow outer tube; a hollow inner tube having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the hollow inner tube is slidably disposed within the hollow outer tube; a central rod having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the central rod is slidably disposed within the hollow inner tube; an actuation element mounted to the proximal end of the central rod; and a surgical mesh carriage comprising a plurality of legs, wherein each of the plurality of legs comprises a first hinged end mounted to the distal end of the hollow inner tube and a second hinged end mounted to the distal end of the central rod; wherein the distal housing comprises a proximal mount fixedly mounted to the distal end of the hollow outer tube and an atraumatic distal shroud comprising a cone-shaped tip having at least one expandable slot. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is configured such that when (i) the actuation element is moved distally to a first location, the central rod and the hollow inner tube move distally so as to move the surgical mesh carriage out of the distal housing, and (ii) the actuation element is moved distally to a second location the central rod moves distally and hinges each of the plurality of legs at their respective first hinged ends so that the plurality of legs assume a radially-expanded configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein tactile feedback is provided to a user when the actuation element reaches the first location. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein audible feedback is provided to a user when the actuation element reaches the second location. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein when the plurality of legs are in the radially-expanded configuration, the plurality of legs are disposed generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow outer tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a handle mounted to the proximal end of the hollow outer tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the proximal end of the hollow inner tube comprises a locking collar and the handle comprises a locking tab, and further wherein the locking collar is configured to mate with the locking tab. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the locking collar snaps over the locking tab so as to provide audible feedback to a user indicating that the plurality of legs are in the radially-expanded configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of legs further comprises a flexible connection disposed between the first hinged end and the second hinged end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each of the plurality of legs comprises a first portion disposed between the first hinged end and the flexible connection, and a second portion disposed between the flexible connection and the second hinged end, and further wherein the first portion is disposed parallel with the second portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second hinged ends of the plurality of legs are formed integral with each other so as to form a base having a central opening mounted to the distal end of the central rod. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the distal end of the central rod comprises a plug with a distal portion having a diameter wider than the diameter of the central opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the atraumatic distal shroud is formed out of an elastic material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the elastic material comprises silicone. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cone-shaped tip comprises four flexible leaflets formed by the at least one slot. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the distal end of the hollow inner tube comprises a collar and further wherein the first hinged ends of each of the plurality of legs are received in a plurality of seats formed in the collar. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein a locking ring is mounted over the first hinged ends of the plurality of legs in the plurality of seats formed in the collar. ### Claim 18 A method for delivering a surgical mesh, the method comprising: providing apparatus for delivering a surgical mesh, the apparatus comprising: a hollow outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end; a distal housing mounted to the distal end of the hollow outer tube; a hollow inner tube having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the hollow inner tube is slidably disposed within the hollow outer tube; a central rod having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the central rod is slidably disposed within the hollow inner tube; an actuation element mounted to the proximal end of the central rod; and a surgical mesh carriage comprising a plurality of legs, wherein each of the plurality of legs comprises a first hinged end mounted to the distal end of the hollow inner tube and a second hinged end mounted to the distal end of the central rod; wherein the distal housing comprises a proximal mount fixedly mounted to the distal end of the hollow outer tube and an atraumatic distal shroud comprising a cone-shaped tip having at least one expandable slot; advancing the apparatus through an incision to a surgical site; moving the actuation element distally to a first location, whereby to project the surgical mesh carriage out of the distal housing; moving the actuation element distally to a second location, whereby to hinge each of the plurality of legs at their respective first hinged ends and cause the plurality of legs to assume a radially-expanded configuration; and delivering a surgical mesh to the surgical site. ### Claim 19 Apparatus for delivering a surgical mesh, the apparatus comprising: a hollow outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end; a distal housing mounted to the distal end of the hollow outer tube; a hollow inner tube slidably disposed within the hollow outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the hollow inner tube comprises a locking collar; a central rod having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the central rod is slidably disposed within the hollow inner tube; an actuation element mounted to the proximal end of the central rod; a surgical mesh carriage comprising a plurality of legs, wherein each of the plurality of legs comprises a first hinged end mounted to the distal end of the hollow inner tube and a second hinged end mounted to the distal end of the central rod; and a handle comprising a locking tab mounted to the proximal end of the hollow outer tube; wherein the distal housing comprises a proximal mount fixedly mounted to the distal end of the hollow outer tube and an atraumatic distal shroud comprising a cone-shaped tip having at least one expandable slot; wherein the apparatus is configured such that when (i) the actuation element is moved distally to a first location, the central rod and the hollow inner tube move distally so as to move the surgical mesh carriage out of the distal housing, and (ii) the actuation element is moved distally to a second location the central rod moves distally and hinges each of the plurality of legs at their respective first hinged ends so as to assume a radially-expanded configuration; and wherein distal movement of the actuation element to the second location causes the locking collar to audibly snap over the locking tab so as to provide feedback to a user indicating that the plurality of legs are in the radially-expanded configuration.