Surgical method and system for performing the same
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12220125-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system using a guide to assist in insertion of a helicoidal member in a target biological tissue. The system adheres to tissues using suction to allow insertion of the helicoidal member.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a minimally invasive system for repairing biological tissue that uses a guide with a cooling surface configured to be placed against a tissue surface. A cooling subsystem cools the cooling surface to a predetermined temperature that is low enough to cause adhesion between the cooling surface and the tissue surface. This cooling-based adhesion temporarily maintains the guide position relative to the tissue while tissue is being reshaped.
A driver having a lock releasably attaches a helicoidal member or an anchor to the driver. The driver is operative for rotating the distal end of the helicoidal member in a helical direction so the distal end penetrates into the biological tissue and reshapes at least a portion of the biological tissue. The driver also allows advancement along the guide and penetration without separating a section from the biological tissue.
The system further enables controlled withdrawal of the helicoidal member or anchor out of the biological tissue without removing the biological tissue. In some embodiments, the helicoidal member or anchor is releasably attached to the driver for this lock/unlock function, and may be hollow for use with a suture thread. Shape-memory material and transition temperature behavior, and pitch variation of the helicoidal member are described as additional features for reshaping, while further integration concepts include catheter or transcatheter delivery and coolant circuitry for cryoadhesion.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims explicitly cover three related system architectures for repairing biological tissue, each centered on a cooled or cooling-caused adhesion interface between a guide/adhering surface and a tissue surface, combined with a rotating, helical penetrating member (helicoidal member or anchor) that is releasably attached to a driver and can be withdrawn without removing the biological tissue. Across the independent claims, the core inventive content includes 3 main inventive features: a cooling surface/adhesion mechanism, a driver with a lock for releasable attachment and rotation-driven helical penetration, and withdrawal capability without removing the biological tissue, with an additional catheter/lumen architecture in one claim.
Cooled cooling surface to cause tissue adhesion
Cooling the cooling surface to a predetermined temperature, the predetermined temperature being low enough to cause adhesion between the cooling surface and the tissue surface.
Driver with lock releasably attaching a helicoidal member for helical penetration and reshaping
A driver having a lock configured to releasably attach a helicoidal member configured to reshape at least a portion of the biological tissue by rotating a distal end of the helicoidal member in a helical direction such that the distal end penetrates into the biological tissue, the driver being operative for rotating the helicoidal member and allowing the helicoidal member to advance along the guide and penetrate into the biological tissue without separating a section from the biological tissue.
Helicoidal member advance and withdrawal without removing biological tissue
The driver is operative for rotating the helicoidal member to (i) allow the helicoidal member to advance along the guide and penetrate into the biological tissue and (ii) be withdrawn out of the biological tissue without removing the biological tissue.
Catheter with lumen in communication with the cooling subsystem
A catheter having a lumen in communication with a cooling subsystem.
Driver with lock releasably attaching an anchor for helical penetration and withdrawal without removing biological tissue
A driver having a lock configured to releasably attach an anchor configured to penetrate in at least a portion of the biological tissue, the driver being operative for advancing the anchor along the guide to penetrate into the at least the portion of the biological tissue by rotating a distal end of the anchor in a helical direction such that the distal end penetrates into the biological tissue, wherein the driver is also operative to withdraw the anchor out of the biological tissue without removing the biological tissue.
Tissue adherence subsystem causing adhesion by cooling an adhering surface
A tissue adherence subsystem operatively coupled to the guide to selectively cause adhesion between the adhering surface and the tissue surface, wherein the adhesion is caused by cooling the adhering surface.
Across the independent claims, the protected systems repair biological tissue using a guide whose cooling/adhesion surface is cooled to a predetermined temperature to cause adhesion, while a driver releasably attaches and rotates a helicoidal member or an anchor so its distal end penetrates and reshapes tissue in a helical direction. The driver enables advancement along the guide and further withdrawal of the helicoidal member or anchor out of the biological tissue without removing the biological tissue, and one architecture includes a catheter with a lumen communicating with the cooling subsystem.
Stated Advantages
Temporarily maintains a guide position relative to the tissue during reshaping by causing adhesion between the cooled cooling surface and the tissue surface.
Reshapes at least a portion of biological tissue using helical penetration of a helicoidal member while advancing along the guide.
Advances and penetrates biological tissue without separating a section from the biological tissue.
Withdraws the helicoidal member or anchor out of the biological tissue without removing the biological tissue.
Documented Applications
Mitral valve annuloplasty and valve prosthesis implantation, including implantation at a mitral valve annulus for treatment associated with mitral valve regurgitation.
Tissue approximation and closure of incisions using anchors, hooks, and suture tightening.
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