Driver tool with multiple drive gear layers for heart prosthesis fasteners
US6786925B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2/2409
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A driver tool drives multiple fasteners simultaneously through the outer ring of a heart valve component into the surrounding tissue annulus of a heart. The driver tool includes two stacked satellite gear layers that drive flexible shafts that simultaneously drive the fasteners into tissue surrounding the heart valve component. The flexible shafts from the second drive gear layer can pass through gaps between satellite gears in the first drive gear layer. The number of fasteners is increased while maintaining the mechanical advantage of the tool and the size of the tool, and reducing the concentration of stress in the tissue annulus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.