Implantable medical device with reversible attachment mechanism and method

• US 20050283119A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Conlon, Sean P., Byrum, Randal T., Uth, Joshua
• Granted Patent: US 8,007,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/175
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0649 Coils or spirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3407 including a base for support on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3492 against the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0056 using injection ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0223 having means for anchoring the subcutaneous access site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0232 having means for facilitating the insertion into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/12 for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0573 chacterised by means penetrating the heart tissue, e.g. helix needle or hook
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction

Abstract

An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.

Claims

1. A surgically implantable device comprising:

(a) a medical implant for performing a therapeutic function;

(b) an attachment mechanism comprising at least one fastener integral to said implant for attaching said implant to a body, said fastener having a deployed position and an undeployed position; and

(c) means for moving said fastener from said undeployed position to said deployed position and back to said undeployed position.

2. A surgically implantable device comprising:

(a) a medical implant for performing a therapeutic function;

(b) an attachment mechanism comprising at least one fastener integral to said implant for attaching said implant to a body, said fastener having a deployed position and an undeployed position; and

(c) an actuator capable of moving said at least one fastener from said undeployed position to said deployed position and back to said undeployed position.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said actuator is configured to resist an undeploying force applied to said at least one integral fastener when said at least one fastener is disposed in said deployed position.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said undeploying force is a rotational force.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein each of said at least one fastener is configured to rotate about a respective axis as said at least one fastener moves from said undeployed position to said deployed position.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said actuator is configured to rotate about a respective axis, and comprises an associated surface for each of said at least one fastener, each said surface configured to exert a rotational force on each associated fastener when said actuator is rotated in a deploying direction, thereby moving each of said at least one fastener from said undeployed position to said deployed position.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein said actuator is configured to resist being rotated by an undeploying rotational force applied to said at least one fastener when said at least one fastener is disposed in said deployed position.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises a detent system configured to resist unintended rotation of said actuator.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein said actuator is configured to rotate about a respective axis, and said attachment mechanism comprises an associated member for each of said at least one fastener, each said member being carried by said actuator, each of said at least one fastener and its associated member being configured such that said member exerts a rotational force on each associated fastener when said actuator is rotated in an undeploying direction, thereby moving each of said at least one fastener from said deployed position to said undeployed position.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein each of said at least one fastener and its associated member are configured such that said member does not exert a deploying force when said actuator is rotated in a deploying direction.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein said actuator is rotatable.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said actuator comprises a generally annular ring which is rotatably carried by said implant.

13. The device of claim 2, wherein said actuator is configured to be manipulated to move said at least one fastener by any of one or more standard surgical instruments.

14. The device of claim 2, wherein each of said at least one fastener comprises a distal tip configured to pierce body tissue, each of said at least one fastener being disposed in an associated recess of said implant, each said distal tip being disposed in said associated recess when said at least one fastener is disposed in said undeployed position.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said at least one fastener is disposed completely within said associated recess when said at least one fastener is disposed in said undeployed position.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein each said distal tip is disposed in an associated recess, each said distal tip being disposed in said associated recess when said at least one fastener is disposed in said deployed position.

17. The device of claim 2, wherein each of said at least one fastener comprises a distal tip configured to pierce body tissue, each of said at least one fastener being disposed in an associated recess, each said distal tip being disposed in said associated recess when said at least one fastener is disposed in said deployed position.

18. A method of surgically implanting a medical implant for performing a therapeutic function, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing at least one fastener integral to said medical implant;

(b) disposing said medical implant at a first location adjacent body tissue; and

(c) moving said at least one fastener from an undeployed position to a deployed position, thereby attaching said medical implant to said body tissue at said first location

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of moving said at least one fastener from said deployed position to said undeployed position, thereby detaching said medical implant from said body tissue.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

(a) disposing said medical implant at a second location adjacent body tissue; and

(b) moving said at least one fastener from said undeployed position to said deployed position, thereby attaching medical implant to said body tissue at said second location.