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US 2004/0176785 A1Published application
Method and device for use in minimally invasive approximation of muscle and other tissue
AssigneeThomas J. Fogarty, M.D.
InventorsGeorge D. Hermann, Jose de la Pena, Roger de la Torre, Thomas Howell, Roger Khouri, David Willis, Michael Drews
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tissue approximation devices for the minimally invasive approximation of muscle or fascia, such as approximation of the rectus muscles in the abdomen (abdominoplasty), or hernia repair and other such applications using minimally invasive methods to access and perform the procedures thereby reducing or eliminating visible scars.
Claims21
A tissue approximating device comprising:
- first and second jaw members, said first and second jaw members being moveable toward and away from one another;
- a first and second retaining means, said first and second retaining means being located generally opposite one another on said first and second jaw members, respectively;
- and
- first and second fastening members releasably secured to said first and second retaining means, respectively, said engaging means being configured such that when said first jaw member is moved toward said second jaw member, said first fastening member fixedly mates with said second fastening member.
1 more element
A method of approximating the abdominal rectus muscles of a patient by adjoining the overlying tissue and rectus sheath surrounding said abdominal rectus muscles comprising:
- forming an incision in the abdomen of a patient;
- providing an applicator tool having
- first and second jaw members, said jaw members being moveable toward one another upon actuation of said applicator tool, and
- at least one pair of fastening members releasably attached to said first and second jaw members, respectively, said fastening members being configured to fixedly mate upon engagement with one another;
- inserting said applicator tool into said incision;
- advancing said jaw members along the length of the abdominal rectus muscles within the rectus sheath;
- actuating the applicator tool such that upon actuation said first and second jaw members move toward one another and at least one of the fastening members pierces the wall of the rectus sheath and fixedly mates with the other fastening member thereby fastening said rectus sheath tissue therebetween;
- and
- removing said applicator tool from the incision.
6 more elements
A tissue approximating device comprising:
- first and second jaw members moveable toward one another, said first and second jaw members having inner surfaces facing toward one another other, said inner surfaces of said first and second jaw members having at least one tooth member and at least one reciprocal cavity member, respectively, such that when the inner surfaces of said first and second jaw surfaces are moved toward one another said at least one tooth member on said first jaw member is received at least partially within said at least one reciprocal cavity member of said second jaw member.
A tissue approximating kit comprising:
- a tissue approximating device having first and second jaw members moveable toward one another,
- said first and second jaw members having inner surfaces facing toward one another other, said inner surfaces of said first and second jaw members having at least one tooth member and at least one reciprocal cavity member, respectively, such that when the inner surfaces of said first and second jaw surfaces are moved toward one another said at least one tooth member on said first jaw member is received at least partially within said at least one reciprocal cavity member of said second jaw member, and a lumen extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the first jaw member;
- and
- an elongate fastening member adapted to be slidably received within the first jaw member lumen and the passageway of said tooth member.
1 more element
A method of approximating the abdominal rectus muscles of a patient by adjoining the overlying tissue and rectus sheath surrounding said abdominal rectus muscles comprising:
- forming an incision in the abdomen of a patient;
- providing an applicator tool having
- first and second jaw members moveable toward one another, said first and second jaw members having inner surfaces facing toward one another other, said inner surfaces of said first and second jaw members having at least one tooth member and at least one reciprocal cavity member, respectively, said first jaw member further having a lumen extending longitudinally through at least a portion of said first jaw member, and said at least one tooth member further including a passageway extending longitudinally of the tooth member and opening toward both proximal and distal ends of said first jaw member, said recessed passageway being axially aligned with said lumen;
- advancing said jaw members along the length of the abdominal rectus muscles within the rectus sheath;
- actuating the applicator tool such that upon actuation, said first and second jaw members are moved toward each other, and at least one tooth member on said first jaw member is received at least partially within said at least one reciprocal cavity member of said second jaw member with a portion of said rectus sheath being located therebetween;
- providing an elongate fastening member configured to be received through said first jaw member lumen;
- advancing said fastening member through said first jaw member lumen and said tooth member passageway and through any tissue located therebetween.
4 more elements
A fastener cartridge for insertion onto a jaw member of a tissue approximation device, the fastener cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body, said cartridge body having a base configured for attachment to the jaw member and a driver member, said driver member having a fastener pin extending therefrom,
- a retainer spring;
- a fastner member releaseably secured to said retainer spring and to said fastner pin;
- and
- a cartridge hood, said cartridge hood having a top surface with an opening and sidewalls extending at least partially over said cartridge body such that said retainer spring, fastner member and driver member are disposed within said cartridge hood.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.