Apparatus and methods for rapid deployment of tissue anchors
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Publication Number
US-10441450-B2
Publication Date
2019-10-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
In apparatus and methods for rapid deployment of tissue anchors, a tissue manipulation assembly has a pivoting jaw. A needle assembly can be advanced through the launch tube across tissue received between the jaw members of the tissue manipulation assembly. Tissue anchors can be advanced through the needle assembly for securing received tissue. The tissue anchors can be positioned within a reloadable chamber of a control handle disposed outside the patient, then advanced through the needle assembly.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an endoluminal surgical system for rapid deployment of tissue anchors using a distal tissue manipulation assembly with pivoting jaws. The pivoting jaws are actuated by a proximally movable launch tube, and the system is configured for low-profile delivery within a gastrointestinal lumen. The distal manipulation assembly articulates and locks the jaws while positioning an anchor deployment pathway through engaged tissue.
The system includes a needle/sheath assembly with a hollow needle attached to an end of a sheath, where the needle assembly is movable within a flexible tube. A pusher in the handle is extendible into the sheath to advance deployment of expandable anchors after piercing engaged tissue. Control is provided via first and second controllers on the handle, where the first controller is linked to the tissue manipulation assembly and the second controller advances the needle assembly through the flexible tube and advances the pusher into the sheath.
The invention also provides a handle configured with a loading chamber for loading a tissue anchor cartridge at the handle location. The loading chamber is positioned between the first controller and the second controller in one configuration, and in another configuration the loading chamber is included in the handle and in the needle assembly for loading a tissue anchor cartridge into the sheath. The system further describes reloadable and replacement functionality for anchor cartridges using a control handle loading chamber with optional centering features and mechanisms for rapid cartridge swapping from a magazine clip or spring-loaded magazine.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims covering a surgical apparatus for endoluminal tissue anchor deployment. Across the claims, the inventive coverage centers on a flexible-tube/handle system with a needle assembly, a pusher, two controllers linked respectively to tissue manipulation and needle/pusher advancement, and a loading chamber for cartridge loading at or within the handle and/or needle assembly. Overall, at least five main inventive features are explicitly stated across the independent claims.
Loading chamber positioned in the handle between controllers
The handle includes a loading chamber in a sidewall of the tubular body for loading a tissue anchor cartridge into the flexible tube at the handle, where the loading chamber is between the first controller and the second controller.
First and second controllers for tissue manipulation and needle/pusher advancement
A first controller on the handle is linked to the tissue manipulation assembly, and a second controller on the handle advances the needle assembly through the flexible tube and advances the pusher into the sheath.
Needle assembly with hollow needle attached to sheath
A needle assembly movable within the flexible tube includes a hollow needle attached to an end of a sheath.
Pusher extendible into the sheath
A pusher in the handle is extendible into the sheath.
Non-parallel axes of two handle controllers relative to longitudinal axis
The first controller is movable about a first axis and the second controller is movable about a second axis, where the first axis and the second axis are not parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Loading chamber in handle and needle assembly for cartridge loading into sheath
A loading chamber in the handle and in the needle assembly loads a tissue anchor cartridge into the sheath.
The independent claims collectively require a flexible tube with a handle, a distal tissue manipulation assembly, and a movable needle assembly comprising a hollow needle attached to a sheath, together with a pusher advanced into the sheath by a second controller. They further require two controllers on the handle for tissue manipulation and needle/pusher advancement, plus a loading chamber configured for cartridge loading at or within the handle and/or needle assembly, including a specific spatial relationship between controllers in one claim and a non-parallel axis relationship for the controllers in the other claim.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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