Device and Method for Fastening Connective Tissue
OwnerRonald W. Weaver, JR.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stapler delivers a fastener so that the legs of the fastener penetrate two abutting portions of fascia from the inside out so that, after penetration, the legs of the fastener are outside the body. The stapler subsequently positions a retainer over the ends of the fastener in order to hold the fascia and fastener in place. Once the retainer is properly positioned, the stapler may trim and capture the ends of the fastener that protrude beyond the retainer to avoid patient discomfort, injury or post-operative complications. A wide variety of fastener and retainer combinations are presented for use in differing environments and conditions.
Claims18
A method for connecting fascia comprising:
- positioning two abutting portions of fascia in a gap between a carriage with a fastener cartridge positioned therein and a base with a retainer cartridge positioned therein, wherein said carriage is placed inside a body cavity and said base is positioned outside said body cavity;
- moving said carriage towards said base wherein a fastener is dislodged from said fastener cartridge, legs of said fastener pass through said fascia and through at least one opening in a retainer from said retainer cartridge.
A system for connecting fascia comprising:
- a carriage with a fastener cartridge positioned therein and a base with a retainer cartridge positioned therein, wherein said carriage is configured for placement inside a body cavity and said base is configured for placement outside said body cavity;
- a gap between said base and said carriage configured for the placement of two abutting portions of fascia therein, said base and cartridge configured so that, as said carriage moves towards said base, a fastener is dislodged from said fastener cartridge and said legs of said fastener are pushed through said fascia and through at least one opening in a retainer from said retainer cartridge.
A device for connecting two abutting portions of fascia comprising:
- a carriage with a fastener cartridge positioned therein and a base with a retainer cartridge positioned therein, wherein said carriage is configured for placement inside a body cavity and said base is configured for placement outside said body cavity;
- a gap between said base and said carriage configured for the placement of two abutting portions of fascia therein;
- means for moving said carriage towards said base, causing a fastener to dislodge from said fastener cartridge and pushing legs of said fastener through said fascia and through at least one opening in a retainer from said retainer cartridge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.