Tissue connector apparatus and methods
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorsLaurent Schaller, Charles T. Maroney, Phillip Drews, Isidro Matias Gandionco, John Nguyen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tissue connector assembly comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a mechanical restraining device attached to the clip for restraining the clip in its open configuration. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. A method for connecting tissues is also disclosed. The method includes inserting a clip through tissue with the clip being biased in an open position by a restraining device secured to the clip, and removing the restraining device from the clip.
Claims45
A tissue connector assembly comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, said clip having a generally U-shaped configuration when in said open configuration, and a mechanical restraining device coupled to said clip for restraining said clip in said open configuration.
A tissue connector assembly comprising a clip adapted to assume an open configuration and a closed configuration and a coil coupled to said clip, wherein said coil is adapted to provide a biasing force to bias said clip in said open configuration.
A tissue connector assembly comprising a clip having an open configuration and a closed configuration and a restraint coupled to said clip when in said open configuration.
A tissue connector assembly comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, said clip having a spiral shaped configuration when in said closed configuration, and an open configuration in which said clip is configured to form less than a full 360 degree turn.
A tissue connector assembly comprising:
- a surgical clip having a relaxed state;
- a needle;
- a connector releasably coupling said needle to said clip;
- and
- a biasing member associated with said surgical clip;
- wherein said connector, when coupling said needle to said clip, urges said biasing member to bias said clip away from said relaxed state.
A tissue connector assembly comprising a needle, a clip, and a locking device releasably connecting said needle to said clip, said locking device being movable between an open position for insertion and removal of said needle and a closed position for coupling said needle to said clip and biasing said clip in an open configuration.
A method for connecting multiple portions of material, at least one of which comprises tissue, comprising:
- inserting a clip, which is biased away from a closed configuration to an open configuration, through said multiple portions of material, at least one of which comprises tissue;
- mechanically maintaining said clip in said open configuration while inserting said clip through said materials;
- and
- allowing said clip to return to said closed configuration and secure a portion of said material therein.
A method for connecting multiple portions of material, at least one of which comprises tissue, said method comprising:
- inserting a needle having a clip attached thereto through said multiple portions with a needle holder;
- and
- removing said needle from said clip with said needle holder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.