Anchors with biodegradable constraints
Inventors
Melanson, David A. • Nutting, Christopher • Maxwell, Barry • Shank, Peter • Panek, John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8834553-B2
Publication Date
2014-09-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
An implant includes a collapsible anchor to be deployed within a lumen and a protrusion coupled to the anchor. The protrusion, in a constrained state, extends a distance from an exterior surface of the anchor and, in an unconstrained state, extends further from the exterior surface of the anchor. Also included is a biodegradable constraint, such as a biodegradable tube or suture, configured to maintain the protrusion in the constrained state until the constraint releases. The implant may include additional biodegradable constraints, each constraint configured to maintain the protrusion in a different constrained state and to degrade over a different predetermined period after the implant has been deployed within the lumen. The protrusion may include a bi-directional barb or an open loop. The protrusion may be configured to penetrate a wall of the lumen and to allow tissue to grow about the protrusion. The implant may also include an unsupported, thin-walled sleeve coupled to the anchor and configured to extend into the lumen upon deployment of the collapsible anchor.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an implant for deployment within a lumen, such as a gastrointestinal tract. The implant includes a cylindrical, collapsible anchor and a protrusion coupled to the anchor, where the protrusion has a constrained state and an unconstrained state. In the constrained state the protrusion extends from an exterior surface of the anchor to penetrate tissue, and in the unconstrained state the protrusion extends further from the exterior surface than in the constrained state.
The protrusion includes a first segment proximate the anchor that extends along a first axis, and a second segment that extends from the first segment along a second axis. In the constrained state, the first segment is collapsed against the anchor and the first axis is aligned with the surface of the anchor, while the second segment extends away from the anchor. The implant further includes a biodegradable constraint configured to maintain the protrusion in the constrained state until the constraint releases.
In additional described configurations, the protrusion is implemented as open loop configurations, a helical protrusion, bi-directional or compound barb geometries, or tines or legs including oblique angles. The constraint can be provided as a biodegradable tube or suture, and release is associated with degradation, including degradation triggered by water exposure. The described behavior includes progression from an initial constrained geometry to a further extended unconstrained geometry over time, with luminal wall penetration and tissue response such as fibrotic tissue to help secure the anchor.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are present. Each independent claim defines an implant with a collapsible anchor in a lumen, a protrusion or barb that transitions from a constrained state to an unconstrained state with greater extension, and a biodegradable constraint that maintains the constrained state until release.
Cylindrical collapsible anchor with protrusion constrained then released to further extend
A cylindrical, collapsible anchor to be deployed within a lumen; a protrusion coupled to the anchor that, in a constrained state, extends from an exterior surface of the anchor to penetrate tissue and, in an unconstrained state, extends further from the exterior surface than in the constrained state; the protrusion including a first segment proximate the anchor that extends from the anchor along a first axis and a second segment that extends from the first segment along a second axis; the first segment, in the constrained state, being collapsed against the anchor with the first axis aligned with the surface of the anchor, and the second segment, in the constrained state, extending away from the anchor; and a biodegradable constraint configured to maintain the protrusion in the constrained state until the constraint releases.
Collapsible anchor with bi-directional barb constrained then released to further extend
A collapsible anchor to be deployed within a lumen; a bi-directional barb coupled to the anchor that, in a constrained state, extends from an exterior surface of the anchor to penetrate tissue and, in an unconstrained state, extends further from the exterior surface of the anchor than in the constrained state; the barb including a first segment proximate the anchor that extends from the anchor along a first axis, and a second segment that extends from the first segment along a second axis oriented at an oblique angle to the first axis; the first segment, in the constrained state, being collapsed against the anchor with the first axis aligned with the surface of the anchor, and the second segment, in the constrained state, extending away from the anchor; and a biodegradable constraint configured to maintain the barb in the constrained state until the constraint releases.
The independent claim coverage centers on the same structural concept: a collapsible anchor deployed in a lumen, and a protrusion or barb that transitions from a constrained state to an unconstrained state so that it extends further beyond the exterior surface to penetrate tissue. Both independent claims require a biodegradable constraint that maintains the constrained state until release.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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