Surgical fastener particularly for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• US 20040059354A1
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: ID Company Limited
• Inventors: Kortenbach, Juergen A., Sixto, Robert Jr., Smith, Kevin W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,033,378 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00827 Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2926 Details of heads or jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/301 with three legs

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes an end effector having a clevis and first and second jaws mutually rotatable between open and closed positions. The jaws are proximally directed and laterally displaced relative to a longitudinal axis of a control shaft of the instrument. The jaws hold first and second parts of a fastener, respectively. The first part includes a base having upstanding tissue piercing posts, and the second part includes another base defining apertures for receiving the posts, as well as a portion movable relative to the second base. When the upstanding posts are inserted into the apertures, the movable portion can be moved into a second configuration to lock the parts of the fastener together. The instrument is adapted to move the second part into the second configuration. A method for using the apparatus and fastener are also provided.

Claims

1. A surgical fastener, comprising:

a) a first part including a first base provided with at least one stiff upstanding tissue piercing post; and

b) a second part including a second base defining an aperture for receiving each of said at least one stiff upstanding tissue piercing post, and a movable portion, said movable portion movable relative to said second base between first and second configurations,

wherein when said movable portion is in said first configuration and said at least one stiff upstanding post is inserted into a respective aperture, movement of said movable portion into said second configuration locks said first part relative to said second part.

2. A surgical fastener according to claim 1, wherein:

said movable portion and second base are movable from said second configuration into said first configuration to unlock said first part relative to said second part.

3. A surgical fastener according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one post is adapted to assume a position in which said at least one posts extends substantially perpendicular to said first base.

4. A surgical fastener according to claim 1, wherein:

said movable portion is slidable relative to said second base.

5. A surgical fastener according to claim 1, wherein:

in said second configuration, said movable portion engages with said at least one post.

6. A surgical fastener according to claim 5, wherein:

said at least one post includes at least one groove, and said movable portion includes a catch which engages said at least one groove when said movable portion and said second base are in said second configuration.

7. A surgical fastener according to claim 6, wherein:

said catch is spring-biased.

8. A surgical fastener according to claim 1, wherein:

each of said at least one post includes a tip, and said movable portion includes a first cover portion and said second base includes a second cover portion,

wherein when said at least one post is received through respective apertures in said second base, said first and second cover portions shield said tips of said at least one post when said second base and said movable portion are said second configuration.

9. A surgical fastener, comprising:

a) a first part including a base provided with at least one stiff tissue piercing post, each of said at least one stiff post being rotatable relative to said base about a respective axis; and

b) a second part adapted to receive said at least one post and be mechanically locked relative to said first part.

10. A surgical fastener according to claim 9, wherein:

said at least one post is rotatable between a first position in which said post is substantially perpendicular to said base and a second position in which said post is substantially parallel to said base.

11. A surgical fastener according to claim 10, wherein:

wherein said base defines a channel adapted to receive said at least one post when said at least one post is in said second position.

12. A surgical fastener according to claim 11, wherein:

said base defines a longitudinal axis and said channel is skewed relative to said longitudinal axis.

13. A surgical fastener according to claim 10, wherein:

said first part further comprises a spring biasing said at least one post into said second position.

14. A surgical fastener according to claim 10, wherein:

each said at least one post includes a lower portion that extends through said base when said at least one post is in said first position.

15. A surgical fastener, comprising:

a) a first part including a base provided with at least one stiff post having a tissue piercing tip; and

b) a second part including a base having at least one opening adapted to receive said at least one stiff post and a shield portion, said second part adapted to be mechanically locked relative to said first part,

wherein when said first and second parts are locked relative to each other, said at least one stiff post extends through said at least one opening in said base and said shield shields said tissue piercing tip.

16. A surgical fastener, comprising:

a) a first part including a base provided with at least one post having a tissue piercing tip and defining a plurality of longitudinally displaced engagement structures; and

b) a second part including a base having at least one opening adapted to receive said at least one post, and a catch structure adapted to engage one of said engagement structures on each of said at least one post to thereby lock said first and second parts together.

17. A surgical fastener according to claim 16, wherein:

said engagement structures are grooves.

18. A surgical fastener according to claim 17, wherein:

said grooves are circumferential about respective posts.

19. A surgical fastener according to claim 17, wherein:

said grooves are notches in said respective posts.

20. A surgical fastener according to claim 16, wherein:

said catch structure is spring-biased.

21. A surgical fastener according to claim 16, wherein:

said catch structure is longitudinally movable relative to said base.

22. A surgical fastener according to claim 16, wherein:

said first part includes two posts, and said catch structure is adapted to engage engagement structure at different longitudinal displacements along each of said two posts.

23. A surgical fastener, comprising:

a) a first part including a first base provided with at least one tissue piercing post;

b) a second part including a second base having an opening adapted to receive said at least one post; and

c) means for mechanically locking said first and second parts together regardless of whether said first and second bases are parallel or skewed relative to each other.

24. A surgical fastener, comprising:

a) a first part including a first base provided with at least one tissue piercing post;

b) a second part including a second base having an opening adapted to receive said at least one post; and

c) means for mechanically locking said first and second parts together when said first and second bases are in each of several displacements relative to each other.

25. A surgical fastener, comprising:

a) a first part constructed of titanium or titanium alloy;

b) a second part constructed of titanium or titanium alloy,

said first and second parts including cooperating structure adapted to mechanically lock said first and second parts together,

wherein said first and second parts are anodized.

26. A surgical fastener according to claim 25, wherein:

said anodized first and second parts are a color uncommon to a human stomach.