Apparatus and methods for the penetration of tissue
OwnerRonald J. Thompson, Jack B. Stubbsinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An instrument for directing the insertion of a penetration member urged through tissue. The instrument includes a shaft, and a backstop positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The backstop and shaft are configured such that the backstop may be positioned adjacent one side of the tissue to be penetrated, and a penetration member may thereafter be urged through the opposite side of the tissue into the backstop. A method of penetrating the tissue wall of an anatomical cavity is also provided.
Claims20
A method of penetrating the tissue wall of an anatomical cavity, comprising:
- (a) inserting a portion of a backstop apparatus into the anatomical cavity through a first tissue opening, said backstop apparatus having a backstop;
- and
- (b) manipulating said backstop apparatus in order to direct the urging of a penetration member through the tissue wall of said cavity at a penetration site spaced away from said first tissue opening, wherein said manipulating step is performed while a portion of said backstop apparatus extends through said first tissue opening;
- and
- (c) urging a penetration member through the tissue wall of said cavity at said penetration site towards said backstop.
A method of penetrating the wall of an anatomical cavity, said wall having exterior and interior surfaces, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a penetration member and a backstop apparatus comprising a backstop positioned at one end of a shaft;
- (b) passing at least a portion of said shaft through a tissue opening in said wall such that said backstop is positioned within said anatomical cavity;
- (c) urging said backstop against the interior surface of said wall at a penetration site spaced away from said tissue opening, while a portion of said backstop apparatus extends through said first tissue opening;
- and
- (d) urging said penetration member through said wall at said penetration site into contact with said backstop.
A method of penetrating the wall of an anatomical cavity, said wall having exterior and interior surfaces, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an instrument for directing the insertion of a penetration member into tissue comprising:
- a shaft having proximal and distal ends;
- and
- an endoscope positioned within said shaft;
- (b) providing a penetration member;
- (c) urging at least a portion of said shaft through a tissue opening in said wall such that said distal end of the shaft is positioned within said anatomical cavity;
- (d) locating a penetration site in said wall using said instrument;
- and
- (e) urging said penetration member through said wall at said penetration site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.