Methods and apparatus for regulating the flow of matter through body tubing

• US 20030018377A1
• Filed: 04/26/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Torax Medical, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Torax Medical, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Berg, James, Berg, Todd A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,087,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00827 Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/04 Hollow or tubular parts of organs, e.g. bladders, tracheae, bronchi or bile ducts A61F2/18, A61F2/20 take precedence; devices, other than stent-grafts, providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body other than stent-grafts, e.g. stents A61F2/82; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8483 Barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter

Abstract

A self-retracting body, which may have a bore, may be inserted into a biological passage. A dilating balloon may be used to expand the body toward an inner wall of the passage. The body may include an anchor that may engage the wall. The anchor may include a tip that is within the body before the body expands and extends away from the body during expansion. The body may include an opening that may receive a portion of the wall. The portion may be fixed to the body. The body may retract toward a central portion of the passage after the anchor engages the wall. The wall may be drawn toward the central passage and the diameter of the passage may be reduced. In some embodiments, a liner may be provided for the passage. In some embodiments, a baffle may be provided for the passage.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said apparatus comprising:

a body having a bore, said bore defining a central axis; and

at least one anchor coupled to said body;

wherein;

said anchor extends away from said central axis; and

said anchor is configured to pull said wall toward said axis when said body contracts toward said axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body is configured to contract for insertion into said passage.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said body has a first state and a second state;

at least a portion of said body extends farther away from said axis when said body is in said second state than when said body is in said first state; and

said body automatically contracts toward said first state from said second state.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body has at least one opening configured to receive a portion of said wall when said body contracts.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a fastener, said fastener configured to retain said portion of said wall after said body contracts.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anchor is configured to be permanently secured to said passage.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anchor comprises a dart.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anchor comprises a barb.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anchor comprises a staple.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said staple is C-shaped.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sheath configured to receive said body and deflect said anchor.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body comprises nickel titanium.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body comprises stainless steel.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lining covering at least a portion of said body.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said lining comprises a polymer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a therapeutic substance coupled to said polymer.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said substance is a drug.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a therapeutic substance coupled to said body.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said bore has a radial direction perpendicular to said axis; and

said anchor extends away from said axis in a direction having a non-radial component.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a first crimping member; and

a second crimping member;

wherein;

said first crimping member is configured to apply a first force to a first portion of said anchor when said body is disposed in said passage;

said second crimping members is configured to apply a second force to a second portion of said anchor when said body is disposed in said passage; and

said anchor is configured to engage said inner wall in response to said first and second forces.

19. The apparatus of clam 18 wherein said substance is a drug.

22. An apparatus for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said apparatus comprising:

a polymeric body having a bore, said bore defining a central axis; and

a plurality of metal anchors coupled to said body;

wherein;

said anchors extend away from said central axis; and

said anchors are configured to pull said wall toward said axis when sa id body contracts toward said axis.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein at least one of said anchors is insert mold ed in said body.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said body comprises a drug.

25. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said body comprises a therapeutic substance.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said first and second portions are included in a lobed strip.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said strip has a sinusoidal form.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said strip forms a closed loop.

26. An apparatus for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said apparatus comprising:

a polymeric body having a bore, said bore defining a central axis, at least a portion of said body configured to move from a first position to a second position, said second position at a greater distance from said axis than said first position, said portion having an outer peripheral surface; and

a metal anchor coupled to said portion, said anchor having a tip;

wherein;

said tip moves away from said surface when said portion moves from said first to said second position; and

said anchor is configured to pull said wall toward said axis when said portion moves from said second position toward said first position.

27. An apparatus for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall and a central axis said apparatus comprising:

at least one first portion having a first elasticity;

at least one second portion coupled to said first portion, said second portion having a second elasticity; and

at least one anchor coupled to said first portion, said anchor configured to pull said wall toward said axis;

wherein said first elasticity is less than said second elasticity.

31. An apparatus for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall and a central axis said apparatus comprising:

at least one first portion having a first elasticity;

at least one second portion coupled to said first portion, said second portion having a second elasticity; and

at least one anchor coupled to said first portion, said anchor configured to pull said wall toward said axis;

wherein;

said second elasticity is more than about 10% greater than said first elasticity.

32. An apparatus for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said apparatus having a central axis defining an axial direction, said apparatus comprising:

a first nodal portion disposed radially away from said axis;

a transition portion coupled to said first portion, said transition portion disposed radially away from said axis and having an axial spread; and

a second nodal portion coupled to said transition portion, said second nodal portion disposed radially away from said axis;

wherein;

said spread is configured to automatically change to reduce axial displacement between said first and second nodal portions when said apparatus is deformed with respect to said axis.

33. An apparatus for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said apparatus comprising:

a band having a bore; and

at least one anchor coupled to said band;

wherein;

said band comprises at least one open portion facing into said bore;

said anchor extends away from said bore; and

said anchor is configured to pull said wall toward said bore when said band contracts toward said bore.

34. An apparatus for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said apparatus comprising:

a band having a bore, said band having at least one gap, said gap having a size;

a bridge member spanning said gap, said spring member coupled to said band; and

at least one anchor coupled to said band;

wherein;

said anchor extends away from said bore;

said anchor is configured to pull said wall toward said bore if said band contracts toward said bore; and

said spring member is configured to reduce said size when said band contracts toward said bore.

35. An apparatus for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of elongated members arranged in a band, said band having a central axis defining a longitudinal direction, each of said members having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end; and

at least one anchor coupled to said plurality of elongated members;

wherein;

each of said members is coupled to a first adjacent one of said members at said first end;

each of said members is coupled to a second adjacent one of said members at said second end;

said anchor extends away from said axis; and

said anchor is configured to pull said wall toward said axis when said band contracts toward said axis.

37. An apparatus for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a central axis and a wall, said apparatus comprising:

first means for attaching at least two anchors to said wall, said first means configured to pull said wall toward said axis; and

second means for inserting said first means into said passage.

38. A liner for a damaged body tubing portion, said portion having a wall, said liner comprising:

a first plurality of anchors;

a second plurality of anchors; and

a sleeve extending from said first plurality of anchors to said second plurality of anchors, said sleeve configured to conform to said wall.

39. A baffle for a portion of body tubing, said baffle comprising:

a hollow body having a wall defining a bore; and

at least one projection extending from said wall into said bore;

wherein;

said bore is configured to be secured in said portion.

40. A method for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said method comprising:

engaging a self-contracting body with said wall; and

releasing said body.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein said engaging comprises dilating said body.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein said dilating comprises inflating at least a portion of a balloon within said body.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein said dilating comprises expanding said body without inflating a portion of a balloon within said body.

44. The method of claim 40 wherein said engaging comprises permanently securing said body to said wall.

45. The method of claim 40 further comprising using said body to apply a therapeutic substance to said passageway.

46. The method of claim 40 further comprising using said body to apply a drug to said passageway.

47. A method for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said method comprising:

deflecting an anchor of a self-contracting body; and

engaging said anchor with said wall.

48. A method for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said method comprising:

deflecting an anchor of a self-contracting body;

dilating said body;

engaging said anchor with said wall; and

releasing said body.

49. A method for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said method comprising:

inserting a self-contracting body into said passage;

receiving a portion of said inner wall in an open portion of said body; and

securing said portion of said wall in said opening.

50. A method for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said method comprising:

inserting a self-contracting body into said passage, said body comprising an anchor, said body having a central axis;

crimping said anchor to said wall; and

reducing said diameter by allowing said body to contract toward said axis.

51. A method for reducing the diameter of a portion of a biological passage, said passage having a wall, said method comprising:

inserting a self-contracting body into said passage, said body comprising an anchor, said body having a bore, said anchor coupled to said body outside said bore, said bore having a central axis;

inserting a first crimping member through said bore;

positioning said first crimping member adjacent said anchor;

positioning said second crimping member adjacent said anchor;

crimping said anchor to said wall; and

reducing said diameter by allowing said body to contract toward said axis.

36. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein said band has a sinusoidal form.