Deployment apparatus for supple surgical materials
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorRobert A. Rousseau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hernia prosthesis deployment device includes an elongated rod through which a drawstring extends forming a loop at the distal end. The size of the loop is controlled by pulling on an end of the drawstring extending from the proximal end of the rod. A plurality of independent segments are threaded onto the drawstring loop in bead-like fashion, such that when the loop is expanded, the loop with segments is flexible. When the loop is contracted, the segments force the loop into a planar configuration. A surgical patch is attached to the loop such that it can be folded and pushed into position in the body. Thereafter, the loop is contracted by pulling the drawstring forcing the loop and attached patch into a planar configuration to cover the defect to be repaired.
Claims20
A deployment device for supple surgical material, comprising:
- an elongated rod having a proximal end and a distal end, a drawstring with a first end and a second end running along the length of said rod from said proximal end to said distal end and slidably passing through an opening at said distal end of said rod, said drawstring forming a loop at said distal end of said rod, said loop having a variable circumference varying between an expanded circumference and a reduced circumference, depending upon the position of said first end relative to said rod, a plurality of segments each having a lumen therethrough and threaded over said drawstring in the area of said loop, said segments bearing against one another when the circumference of said loop is reduced and assuming a relative alignment such that said plurality of segments are arranged to approximate a generally planar closed figure.
A prosthesis system, comprising:
- a surgical mesh patch;
- and
- holding means for holding said patch for introduction through an incision for placement in a selected position in the body of a patient, said holding means having an elongated portion that may be manually grasped by a surgeon and a patch deployment portion capable of selectively assuming an expanded state wherein said patch is stretched flat and a contracted state wherein said patch is folded.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.