Tissue suspension device
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsRobert P. Gill, Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, William P. Geis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tissue suspension device has an elongated spanning element with a first and a second end. A suspending element is attachable to the spanning element. A first supporting element is attached to the first end of the spanning element, and a second supporting element is attached to the second end of the spanning element. The tissue suspension device substantially spans the transverse width of the body cavity and suspends tissue within the body cavity. The first and second supporting elements are attachable to the body wall, which supports the weight of the suspended tissue.
Claims21
A tissue suspension device for use within a body cavity, the device comprising:
- an elongated spanning element comprising a substantially rigid bar, the elongate spanning element having a length greater than a maximum width of the spanning element, the spanning element having an enlongate central portion, a first end extending from the central portion and inclined with respect to the central portion, and a second end extending from the central portion and inclined with respect to the central portion;
- at least one suspending element that is attachable to the central portion of the spanning element;
- and
- a first supporting element attached to the first end of the spanning element, and a second supporting element attached to the second end of the spanning element;
- wherein the tissue suspension device substantially spans the transverse width of the body cavity and suspends tissue within the body cavity, and wherein the first and second supporting elements are removably attachable to the body wall, which supports the weight of the suspended tissue.
A method for suspending tissue during a surgical procedure comprising:
- providing a tissue suspension device comprising:
- an elongated spanning element comprising a substantially rigid bar, the elongate spanning element having a length greater than a maximum width of the spanning element, the spanning element having an elongate central portion, a first end inclined with respect to the central portion and extending from the central portion and a second end inclined with respect to the central portion and extending from the central portion;
- at least one suspending element that is attachable to the central portion of the spanning element;
- and
- a first supporting element attached to the first end of the spanning element, and a second supporting element attached to the second end of the spanning element, first and second supporting elements being attachable to the body wall of the patient;
- wherein the tissue suspension device substantially spans the transverse width of the body cavity and lifts tissue within the body cavity, and wherein the first and second supporting elements are attachable to the body wall, which supports the weight of the tissue;
- introducing the spanning element into the body cavity;
- attaching the first and second ends of the spanning element to the body wall at opposing sides of the patient;
- attaching the suspending element to the spanning element;
- and
- suspending tissue from the suspending element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.