System and methods for closing a fascial opening
Inventors
Chin, Albert K. • Kramer, Thomas A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11395724-B2
Publication Date
2022-07-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method for closing a fascial opening is disclosed. The system may include a strap that may be locked into each of a pair of anchors placed anterior to a muscle and on opposite sides of a fascial opening, one or more delivery tubes for delivering the anchors, and a needle for pulling the strap into each anchor. The method may include the steps of placing a dilating port through a skin incision, inserting an anchor through the dilating port, placing a strap into the body cavity, whereupon the strap may be pulled through the anchor. A second anchor may be placed on the contralateral side of the defect so that the strap may be pulled through the second anchor and cinched tightly closing the defect. The anchors may have a locking aperture that engages with the strap.
Core Innovation
The invention discloses systems and laparoscopic methods to close a ventral/fascial opening through a patient by placing anchors adjacent to opposing sides of the defect and passing a strap through the anchors in one direction to approximate and fix tissue. The anchors include a one-way locking configuration so the strap can pass through the anchor in one direction, while resisting reverse movement. The strap is cinched so the fascial opening is closed using the interaction between anchor locking apertures and strap passage through the anchors.
The system includes a delivery needle having a lumen for passing the strap into the body and a hook needle configured for grasping an end of the strap and for pulling it through facial tissue to an outside of the body. The delivery and hook needles are passed into the body through at least one dilating port attached to an opening in the skin, with a dilating port using an obturator to enable device delivery through small skin incisions. Anchor deployment is performed using a delivery tube and plunger, where the anchors are introduced and configured to toggle between states for placement relative to the defect.
An alternative strap introduction is described using a delivery needle preloaded with a strap end and a stylet to drive strap exit, reducing the need for a separate strap introducer port and simplifying laparoscopic coordination. The description also includes optional use of serial tensioning with multiple anchor pairs, where multiple pairs of anchors are placed to enable progressive tissue approximation and fixation while maintaining the one-way passage and locking function of the strap through the anchors.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes one independent claim (clm-00001) directed to a closure system for a fascial opening. The claim is centered on passing a strap through facial tissue using a delivery needle and hook needle, with a pair of one-direction anchors, and introducing the needles through at least one dilating port.
Strap passed into the body by delivery needle and pulled by hook needle
A delivery needle having a lumen for passing the strap into the body; and a hook needle configured for grasping an end of the strap and for pulling it through facial tissue to an outside of the body.
One-direction anchors allowing strap passage through the anchors
A pair of anchors, each of the anchors configured to allow the strap to pass through the anchor in one direction.
Dilating port enabling passage of delivery and hook needles
At least one dilating port configured to attach to an opening in the skin, and through which the delivery needle and the hook needle of the system is passed into the body.
Across the independent claim, closure is achieved by combining a strap, delivery needle lumen passage, hook needle pulling of the strap through facial tissue, and a pair of anchors that permit one-direction strap passage, with needle introduction through a dilating port.
Stated Advantages
Enables laparoscopic closure of a ventral/fascial opening through a skin opening using small skin incisions via a dilating port.
Allows the strap to be cinched for tissue approximation and fixation using one-way anchor locking.
Alternative strap introduction reduces the need for a separate strap introducer port and simplifies laparoscopic coordination.
Optional serial tensioning with multiple anchor pairs enables progressive tissue approximation and fixation.
Documented Applications
Laparoscopic closure of a ventral/fascial opening in a body of a patient, including ventral hernia closure concepts.
Robotic operation is referenced in the disclosed context of performing the closure system functions during laparoscopic procedures.
Use in procedures involving a hernia mesh is mentioned in the disclosed context.
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