Flexible system for delivering an anchor

• US 10,130,353 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2012
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teleflex Life Sciences III LLC
• Original Assignee: NeoTract, Inc. (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Inventors: Catanese, III, Joseph, Cheng, Floria, Lamson, Theodore C., Macatangay, Raul, McLean, Matthew, Ryan, Thomas C., Tong, Ling-Kang, Tachibana, Brian Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): David, Shaun L
• Application Number:
  US13/538,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20140005690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,335 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00323 Cables or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00871 polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00964 composite
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0645 : being elastically deformed for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0649 : Coils or spirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22071 : Steering
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter

Abstract

A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device including a flexible portion that is suited to access target anatomy. The flexibility of an elongate portion of the delivery device can be varied. Additionally, the delivery device can include structure that maintains the positioning of the delivery device in patient anatomy.

Claims

1. A system for treating benign prostatic hypertrophy, comprising:

a pre-formed anchor assembly configured to be permanently implanted in a patient, wherein the anchor assembly has a distal end with a loop that is configured to anchor to the prostatic capsule of a prostate gland and a proximal end that is configured to anchor to the urethral side of the prostate gland; and

a delivery device housing the anchor assembly, the delivery device including;

a flexible elongate portion extending from a handle, the elongate portion being sized and shaped to be advanced within a prostatic urethra and including an expandable tip, the flexible elongate portion being configured to have a variable and controllable flexibility along at least a portion of its length proximal of the expandable tip;

an extendable needle, the extendable needle being configured to unsheathe the distal end of the anchor assembly during implantation; and

a controllable position stability mechanism further including a needle deflection mechanism.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the expandable tip includes a spring arranged generally transverse to the elongate portion.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a pull wire configured to release the spring.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein advancement of the extendable needle through the expandable tip causes the spring to be released to expand the expandable tip.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of needles, wherein the needles are configured to project from the elongate portion simultaneously and provide a stabilizing function.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of needles project through the expandable tip.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the variable and controllable flexibility of the flexible elongate portion is controlled by an operator during use of the delivery device.