Endoscopic tissue anchor deployment
Inventors
Lam, Cang • Ewers, Richard C. • Earley, Christopher James
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8920436-B2
Publication Date
2014-12-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
An endoscopic tissue anchor deployment device includes a handle, an elongated shaft defining an internal lumen, and an end effector attached to the distal end of the elongated shaft. A tissue anchor catheter is removably inserted through the lumen of the elongated shaft, the catheter having a tissue anchor assembly that is deployable from its distal end. The handle may include a pin and track assembly that define a series of handle actuation steps corresponding to deployment steps for the deployment device end effector and the tissue anchor catheter. In some embodiments, the handle includes a catheter stop member that prevents movement of the tissue anchor catheter under certain circumstances, and a handle stop member that prevents actuation of the handle under certain circumstances.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to endoscopic/endolumenal tissue anchor deployment systems and devices configured to form and secure GI tissue folds. The systems and devices include an elongated shaft having an internal lumen and a distal end effector that grasps tissue. A removable tissue anchor catheter/needle deployment assembly is deliverable through the internal lumen to deploy tissue anchors at a treatment site.
The device architecture uses anchor assemblies including distal/proximal anchors, suture, and a cinch for unidirectional translation to secure the tissue fold. Actuator mechanisms coordinate tissue grasping, needle advancement, and anchor/suture deployment using stepwise handle actuation. The handle actuation includes handle/needle stop members and lock mechanisms that coordinate the sequence of operation for the needle assembly and end effector.
The disclosure further includes launch tube articulation and flexible distal launch-tube slotting arranged for predetermined bending/lockout. Suture cutting features are described, including suture cutting/pivot blade configurations for separating anchors from the delivery device. The end effector coupling and launch tube structures enable controlled pivoting and/or shifting relative to bails or jaws via pivotable coupling and pivot/slide fittings.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes four independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00006, clm-00013, and clm-00014). Across these independent claims, the inventive features focus on a launch tube carrying a movable needle assembly, an end effector coupled by a pivotable coupling with bails or jaws, and fittings that permit pivoting and linear shifting of the launch tube, including optional suture cutting at the end effector.
Pivotable coupling with first and second bails and launch tube pivot/slide
A surgical instrument comprising a tubular body; a launch tube extending through the tubular body; a needle assembly movable within the launch tube; an end effector attached to a distal end of the tubular body by a pivotable coupling, with the end effector having a first bail and a second bail; and a distal end of the launch tube attached to the first bail via a fitting allowing the distal end of the launch tube to pivot relative to the first bail and also to slide linearly from a first position where the distal end of the launch tube is substantially on a first side of the first bail, to a second position where the distal end of the launch tube is substantially on a second side of the first bail, opposite from the first side.
Left and right side pivot slots and pivot pins for pivot and linear sliding
A surgical instrument comprising a tubular body; a launch tube extending through the tubular body; a needle assembly movable within the launch tube; an end effector attached to a distal end of the tubular body by a pivotable coupling, with the end effector having a first bail and a second bail; and a distal end of the launch tube attached to the first bail via a fitting allowing the distal end of the launch tube to pivot relative to the first bail, the fitting including left and right side pivot slots, and with left and right side pivot pins on the first bail engaged into the left and right side pivot slots, respectively, and with the launch tube linearly slidable between upper and lower ends of the pivot slots.
Pivot and slide movement of the launch tube plus suture cutter blade adjacent to the first bail
A surgical instrument comprising a tubular body; a launch tube extending through the tubular body; a needle assembly in the launch tube; an end effector attached to a distal end of the tubular body by a pivotable coupling, with the end effector having a first bail and a second bail; and with a distal end of the launch tube attached to the first bail via a fitting allowing the distal end of the launch tube to pivot relative to the first bail and also allowing the distal end of the launch tube to slide from a first position where the distal end of the launch tube is substantially on a first side of the first bail, to a second position where the distal end of the launch tube is substantially on a second side of the first bail, opposite from the first side; and a suture cutter blade adjacent to a distal end of the first bail.
Pivot/slide fitting attaching the launch tube to a pivotally attached first and second jaw and linearly slidable needle
A surgical instrument comprising a tubular body; an end effector attached to the front end of the tubular body, with the end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw pivotally attached to the first jaw; and a launch tube extending out of a front end of the tubular body, with a front end of the launch tube attached to the first jaw via a pivot/slide fitting allowing the front end of the launch tube to pivot relative to the first jaw and to also shift linearly relative to the first jaw; and a needle assembly in the launch tube, with a needle of the needle assembly linearly slidable out from a distal end of the launch tube.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a surgical instrument where a launch tube with a movable needle assembly is coupled to an end effector via a pivotable coupling and fittings that enable pivoting and linear shifting of the launch tube relative to first and second bails or first and second jaws, with one independent claim adding a suture cutter blade adjacent to a distal end of the first bail.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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