US 8,133,241 B2 · Articulated elements and methods for use

Articulated elements and methods for use

AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute

InventorsRobert R. Boyd, B. Matt Bartilson, William T. Hanna, Lynn Faulkner, Thomas D. Haubert, C. Michael Gegenheimer, Holly A. Stein, Jean E. Schelhorn, James B. Gleeson, Mary Hoffman Pancake, Brian C. Kelley, Roger W. Smith, Kevin M. Taylor, Dov S. Rosenberg, Wayne L. Poll

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Abstract

The present invention relates to a one-step fastening device, a process for creating a fastener utilizing such a device, and the end fastener produced thereby. In this regard, the invention uses an outer, hollow fastener material that can be partially compressed under tension at designated areas (i.e., a compression member) and an inner activation or tensioning member. The compression of the outer fastener material occurs at one or more flexible areas or compression features specifically located on the longitudinal axis of the material. As a result, the outer compression member is capable of being distorted or bent under tension to produce a predetermined configuration. The device described herein has the ability to form specific and controllable fasteners of designated shapes and configurations. Methods for fastening, snaring, gripping, cutting, and manipulating material using the device in a confined space are also provided.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A fastener device comprising:

an articulated compression member capable of being reconfigured by compression from a first configuration to a second configuration;
at least one frangible container that ruptures upon reconfiguration of the compression member;
and
a tensioning member operably connected with the compression member for selectively applying compressive force to the compression member;
wherein the compression member comprises a plurality of interconnected sections, each section having a mating feature protruding from one surface of the section and a plurality of detents on an opposing surface of the section, the mating feature interacting with one of the detents to lock adjacent sections in a desired relationship.

2 more elements

A method for fastening, comprising the steps of:

providing a first portion of material to which a fastener is to be fastened;
positioning at least a portion of a fastener in fastening relationship with the first portion of material, the fastener comprising:
a compression member capable of reconfiguration from a first configuration to a second fastening configuration by compression;
at least one frangible container that ruptures upon reconfiguration of the compression member;
and
a tensioning member operably connected with the compression member for selectively applying compressive force to the compression member;
wherein the compression member comprises a plurality of interconnected sections, each section having a mating feature protruding from one surface of the section and a plurality of detents on an opposing surface of the section, the mating feature interacting with one of the detents to lock adjacent sections in a desired relationship;
initiating reconfiguration of the fastener from the first position by applying tension to the tensioning member;
compressing the compression member with the tensioning member and substantially reconfiguring the fastener to the second configuration wherein said fastener is in a fastening relationship with the first portion of material;
and
rupturing the at least one frangible container to release a substance upon compressing of the compression member.

8 more elements

A method for fastening, comprising the steps of:

providing a first and second portion of material to be fastened;
positioning at least a portion of a fastener in fastening relationship with the first portion of material, the fastener comprising:
a compression member capable of reconfiguration from a first configuration to a second fastening configuration by compression;
at least one frangible container that ruptures upon reconfiguration of the compression member;
and
a tensioning member operably connected with the compression member for selectively applying compressive force to the compression member;
wherein the compression member comprises a plurality of interconnected sections, each section having a mating feature protruding from one surface of the section and a plurality of detents on an opposing surface of the section, the mating feature interacting with one of the detents to lock adjacent sections in a desired relationship
initiating reconfiguration of the fastener from the first position by applying tension to the tensioning member;
positioning the fastener in fastening relationship with the second portion of material;
compressing the compression member with the tensioning member and substantially reconfiguring the fastener to the second configuration wherein said fastener is in a fastening relationship with both the first and second portions of material;
and
rupturing the at least one frangible container to release a substance upon compressing of the compression member.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/538,459Filed 10 Dec 2003 · us provisional application

Priority

10 Dec 2002

Published

US 2008/0086854 A117 Apr 2008

Granted

13 Mar 2012

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

A61B 17/3478
Trocars; Puncturing needles: endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion
A61B 17/064
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
A61B 17/12109
Characterised by the location of the occluder: in a blood vessel
A61B 17/12172
Having a mesh structure: having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape