Exclusion device springs and related methods
AssigneeAtriCure, Inc.
InventorsHannah Vivian Ziton, Frank Fago, Lynn Ann Recker, Carol Ann Mata
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Abstract
Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An exclusion device for an anatomical structure may include a first beam, a second beam, and/or a first spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force on the first beam and the second beam. The first spring may be generally U-shaped and/or may include a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite a connecting portion.
Claims21
An exclusion device for an anatomical structure, the exclusion device comprising:
- a first beam including a first forked end;
- a second beam;
- and
- a first spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force on the first beam and the second beam;
- wherein the first spring is generally U-shaped and comprises a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite a connecting portion;
- wherein the first beam is repositionable with respect to the second beam between an open position and a closed position;
- wherein at least a portion of the first spring interposes the first forked end when in the closed position;
- and,
- wherein at least the portion of the first spring discontinues interposing the first forked end when in the open position.
An exclusion device for an anatomical structure, the exclusion device comprising:
- a first beam including a first end opposing a second end, the first beam having a dominant lateral dimension;
- a second beam including a first end opposing a second end, the second beam having a dominant lateral dimension;
- and
- a first spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam at a position laterally inset from the first end of the first beam and from the first end of the second beam, the first spring biasing the first beam toward the second beam;
- and,
- a second spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam at a position laterally inset from the second end of the first beam and from the second end of the second beam, the second spring biasing the first beam toward the second beam;
- wherein in a clamped position of the exclusion device, the first beam and the second beam substantially overlap one another and the first spring and the second spring extend beyond the first and second beams in the dominant lateral dimension;
- wherein in an unclamped position of the exclusion device, the first beam and the second beam substantially overlap one another and the first and second ends of the first and second beams extend beyond the first and second springs in the dominant lateral dimension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.