Systems, devices and methods for tissue fixation and approximating tissue defects
AssigneeTAS Medical Inc.
InventorsThomas A. Kramer, Albert K. Chin, Gannon Borchers, Peter Bugos, Andrew Kwok, Steven Ledbetter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A medical device for approximating and securing tissue without requiring knots includes a lock-head, a strap section, distal protuberance, and a leader section. The device also includes a transition section between the leader and the strap section and a stiffening section proximal to the protuberance. The leader section is used to draw the strap section into the body through small apertures in tissue and the transition section provides a gradual transition in stiffness and size between the leader and the strap section.
Claims32
A medical device configured to close a soft tissue defect, the device comprising:
- an elongate body having a strap at a proximal end, a leader at a distal end, and a transition section joining the strap to the leader;
- wherein the leader has a lower bending stiffness than the strap,
- wherein the leader comprises a different material than the strap,
- wherein the leader comprises a mesh,
- wherein the stiffness of the transition section gradually decreases from the strap to the leader;
- and
- a lock-head disposed at the proximal end of the strap, the lock-head having an aperture for receiving the distal end of the strap, the aperture configured for permitting at least one controlled translation of the strap in one direction through the lock-head and restricting motion in the opposite direction, wherein the controlled translation comprises a tightening of the strap.
A medical device configured to close a soft tissue defect, the device comprising:
- an elongate body having a strap at a proximal end, a leader at a distal end, and a transition section joining the strap to the leader;
- a stiffening element inside a lumen of at least a portion of the leader,
- wherein the leader has a lower bending stiffness than the strap,
- wherein the leader comprises a different material than the strap,
- wherein the stiffness of the transition section gradually decreases from the strap to the leader;
- and
- a lock-head disposed at the proximal end of the strap, the lock-head having an aperture for receiving the distal end of the strap, the aperture configured for permitting at least one controlled translation of the strap in one direction through the lock-head and restricting motion in the opposite direction, wherein the controlled translation comprises a tightening of the strap.
A medical device configured to close a soft tissue defect, the device comprising:
- an elongate body having a strap at a proximal end, a leader at a distal end, and a transition section joining the strap to the leader;
- wherein the strap comprises an elastomeric material,
- wherein the leader has a lower bending stiffness than the strap,
- wherein the leader comprises a different material than the strap,
- wherein the stiffness of the transition section gradually decreases from the strap to the leader;
- and
- a lock-head disposed at the proximal end of the strap, the lock-head having an aperture for receiving the distal end of the strap, the aperture configured for permitting at least one controlled translation of the strap in one direction through the lock-head and restricting motion in the opposite direction, wherein the controlled translation comprises a tightening of the strap.
A medical device configured to close a soft tissue defect, the device comprising:
- an elongate body having a strap at a proximal end, a leader at a distal end, and a transition section joining the strap to the leader;
- wherein at least a portion of the strap comprises a tubular structure wherein the leader has a lower bending stiffness than the strap,
- wherein the leader comprises a different material than the strap,
- wherein the stiffness of the transition section gradually decreases from the strap to the leader;
- and
- a lock-head disposed at the proximal end of the strap, the lock-head having an aperture for receiving the distal end of the strap, the aperture configured for permitting at least one controlled translation of the strap in one direction through the lock-head and restricting motion in the opposite direction, wherein the controlled translation comprises a tightening of the strap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.