Tissue anchor system

• US 20060235447A1
• Filed: 05/16/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christopher J. Walshe
• Original Assignee: Christopher J. Walshe
• Inventors: Walshe, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US11/435,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20060235447A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/151
• 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 2017/00805 Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0435 the barbs being separate elements mechanically linked to the anchor, e.g. by pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0437 the barbs being resilient or spring-like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2911 rings

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein is a tissue-anchoring system, including a tissue-anchoring device and tissue anchors. The tissue-anchoring device includes a housing and a tissue anchor positioned on the tissue-anchoring device that will be inserted into a tissue or secured onto a tissue. The device may optionally have a plunger assembly slidably positioned in the housing to assist advancing anchor into a tissue. The tissue anchor has a barb end and a shaft. The barb end is adapted to resist removal from a tissue after the anchor has been inserted. The tissue anchor shaft and the barb end may be hollow. The anchor shaft has an attachment member distal from the barb end for direct attachment to a tissue or for attachment of sutures or slings. The tissue anchors may include an adjustment mechanism for intra- or post-operative adjustments.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. A device for securing an anchor in tissue comprising:

a. a housing comprising a hollow barrel with finger grips and a tissue penetrating tip formed thereon;

b. an anchor positioned in said housing, said anchor comprising a shaft with at least one barb positioned thereon; and

c. said barb configured to remain in a collapsed position folded toward said shaft when said shaft is positioned in said housing and to expand when said shaft exits said housing.

14. The anchor securing device of claim 13, wherein said barrel is flexible.

15. The anchor securing device of claim 14, wherein said barrel comprises plastic.

16. The anchor securing device of claim 15, wherein said anchor comprises metal.

17. The anchor securing device of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of barbs, wherein said barbs comprise a series of fingers.

18. The anchor securing device of claim 13, wherein said anchor has an end ill-suited to penetrate tissue.

19. The anchor securing device of claim 13, wherein said anchor comprises plastic.

20. The anchor securing device of claim 15, wherein said anchor is over six inches long.

21. The anchor securing device of claim 13, wherein said anchor has a suture attachment member.

22. The anchor securing device of claim 13, wherein a plunger engages said hollow barrel to expel said anchor therefrom.

23. The anchor securing device of claim 22, wherein said plunger is flexible.

24. The anchor securing device of claim 13, wherein said barb comprises a conical umbrella.

25. A method of placing an anchor in the tissue of an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a tissue anchor delivery device comprising;

i. a housing comprising a hollow barrel with finger grips and a tissue penetrating tip formed thereon;

ii. an anchor positioned in said housing, said anchor comprising a shaft with at least one barb positioned thereon; and

iii. said barb configured to remain in a collapsed position folded toward said shaft when said shaft is positioned in said housing and to expand when said shaft exits said housing;

b. advancing said hollow barrel through a tissue of said individual; and

c. advancing said anchor from said hollow barrel such that said barb deploys within a tissue of said individual.

26. The anchor placement method of claim 25, wherein said barrel is flexible.

27. The anchor placement method of claim 26, wherein said barrel comprises plastic.

28. The anchor placement method of claim 27, wherein said anchor comprises metal.

29. The anchor placement method of claim 25, further comprising a plurality of barbs, wherein said barbs comprise a series of fingers.

30. The anchor placement method of claim 25, wherein said anchor has an end ill-suited to penetrate tissue.

31. The anchor placement method of claim 25, wherein said anchor comprises plastic.

32. The anchor placement method of claim 25, wherein said anchor is over six inches long.