Exclusion device springs and related methods
Inventors
Ziton, Hannah Vivian • Fago, Frank • Recker, Lynn Ann • Mata, Carol Ann
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12502180-B2
Publication Date
2025-12-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An exclusion device for an anatomical structure may include a first beam, a second beam, and/or a first spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force on the first beam and the second beam. The first spring may be generally U-shaped and/or may include a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite a connecting portion.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an exclusion device for an anatomical structure that uses a first beam including a first forked end and a second beam. A first spring is operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force on the first beam and the second beam. The first spring is generally U-shaped and comprises a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite a connecting portion. The first beam is repositionable with respect to the second beam between an open position and a closed position.
In the closed position, at least a portion of the first spring interposes the first forked end, and in the open position at least the portion of the first spring discontinues interposing the first forked end. The spring mechanics further include reverse bend portions and a closed bias pre-load tied to the spring and beam arrangement. The first spring is shaped such that it generally converges between the connecting portion and the reverse bend portions and generally diverges between each reverse bend portion and its respective end portion.
The invention further includes an exclusion device configuration that uses two beams with dominant lateral dimension and biasing springs operatively coupled at laterally inset positions. A first spring biasing the first beam toward the second beam is positioned laterally inset from the first end of the first beam and from the first end of the second beam, and a second spring biasing the first beam toward the second beam is positioned laterally inset from the second end of the first beam and from the second end of the second beam. In a clamped position, the first and second beams substantially overlap and the first and second springs extend beyond the beams in the dominant lateral dimension, while in an unclamped position the first and second beams substantially overlap and the first and second ends extend beyond the first and second springs in the dominant lateral dimension.
Additional refinements include funneled cavities in the beams for receiving portions of the generally U-shaped springs, including a laterally rounded surface defining at least one cavity. Thinned portions of the beams define the funneled cavities to enable compression fit between each beam and a spring, and the thinning occurs due to spherical-cap depressions formed in each respective beam. In further embodiments, third and fourth springs are operatively coupled between the first and second beams at inward laterally inset positions, each biasing the first beam toward the second beam.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims include two inventive frameworks. One framework uses a generally U-shaped single first spring to control interposing of a forked end by repositioning beams between open and closed positions; the other framework uses two beams with dominant lateral dimension and two springs, with optional additional springs, coupled at laterally inset positions so that beams overlap while springs extend beyond or are extended by beam ends depending on clamped versus unclamped positions.
Forked end interposition by a generally U-shaped closing spring
An exclusion device comprising a first beam including a first forked end, a second beam, and a first spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force, wherein the first spring is generally U-shaped and comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a connecting portion, and wherein the first beam is repositionable between an open position and a closed position.
Spring interposes and discontinues interposing the forked end
At least a portion of the first spring interposes the first forked end when in the closed position, and at least the portion of the first spring discontinues interposing the first forked end when in the open position.
Temperature-dependent closing force
The closing force varies depending on the temperature of the first spring.
Material selection for the generally U-shaped spring
The first spring is made from at least one of Nitinol, stainless steel, or a polymer.
Overlapping beams with laterally inset biasing springs extending beyond in clamped and unclamped positions
An exclusion device comprising a first beam and a second beam having dominant lateral dimensions, a first spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam at a position laterally inset from the first end of the first beam and from the first end of the second beam to bias the first beam toward the second beam, and a second spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam at a position laterally inset from the second end of the first beam and from the second end of the second beam to bias the first beam toward the second beam, wherein in a clamped position the first and second beams substantially overlap and the first and second springs extend beyond the first and second beams in the dominant lateral dimension, and wherein in an unclamped position the first and second beams substantially overlap and the first and second ends extend beyond the first and second springs in the dominant lateral dimension.
Funneled cavities and rounded surfaces for receiving generally U-shaped spring portions
The exclusion device includes funneled cavities in the first and second beams for receiving portions of the first spring, with at least one cavity defined by a laterally rounded surface.
Compression fit enabled by thinned beam portions
Thinned portions of a first beam and a second beam delineate funneled cavities, enabling compression fits between each beam and a first spring.
Spherical-cap depressions forming thinned beam portions
The thinning of the first and second beams occurs due to spherical-cap depressions formed in each respective beam.
Additional inward-biased springs coupled between the beams
Third and fourth springs operatively coupled between the first and second beams at inward laterally inset positions, each spring biasing the first beam toward the second beam.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive coverage is the use of generally U-shaped biasing springs to generate closing force and to control interposition of a forked end, and alternatively to bias overlapping beams through laterally inset coupling positions such that beams substantially overlap while springs extend beyond or are extended by beam ends depending on clamped versus unclamped positions. Dependent refinements further constrain spring geometry, beam cavity structures, and mechanical relationships including temperature-dependent closing force and specific beam thinning mechanisms.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?