Patent · US Expired

Tissue fastening devices and methods for sustained holding strength

US6626916B1 · kind B1 · utility

611Cited by
59References
137Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 1, 1999
Grant dateSep 30, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 1, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S606/911
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A fastener (13) and fastener delivery device (73) for guiding, delivering and deploying the fastener (13) into tissue to provide sustained gripping forces and methods of use. The fastener (13) is curved with a spring-like or shape memory material (15) and gripping elements (14). The fastener (13) is resiliently straightened and loaded into a cartridge (7) within a needle (1). The needle (1) and cartridge (7) both contain a slit (2, 8), and the slits (2, 8) extend to the distal openings (16, 17) of the needle (1) and cartridge (7). When the slits (2, 8) are not aligned, out-of-phase with each other, the fastener (13) remains resiliently straightened in the needle (1). When the slits (2, 8) overlap, in-phase with each other, the fastener (13) resiliently curves and deploys from the slits (2, 8), elastically gripping adjacent tissue. The device (73) is free to be withdrawn, allowing the fastener (13) to slide out from the distal openings (16, 17) of both cartridge (7) and needle (1).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.