Devices, systems and methods for retracting, lifting, compressing, supporting or repositioning tissues or anatomical structures
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods for retracting, lifting, compressing, supporting or repositioning tissues, organs, anatomical structures, grafts or other structures within the body of human or animal subjects for the purpose of treating a diseases or disorders and/or for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes and/or for research and development purposes or other purposes.
347 Citations
130 Claims
-
1-4. -4. (canceled)
-
6. (canceled)
-
8-12. -12. (canceled)
-
15-19. -19. (canceled)
-
21-75. -75. (canceled)
-
76. A method for changing the shape or cross dimension of a lumen or cavity of a human or animal body, said method comprising the steps of:
-
(A) providing a first anchor, a second anchor and a connecting member that extends between the first anchor and the second anchor;
(B) implanting the first anchor at a first location whereby it engages tissue near the lumen or cavity;
(C) placing the second anchor at a second location whereby it engages tissue near the lumen or cavity; and
(D) positioning and tensioning the connecting member such that i) the connecting member remains outside of the lumen or cavity and ii) sufficient force is exerted on the lumen or cavity to change to shape or cross dimension of the lumen or cavity. - View Dependent Claims (77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85)
-
-
86. A method for treating a condition in a human or animal subject wherein a tissue located adjacent to a lumen or cavity is exerting undesired pressure on the lumen or cavity tubular anatomical structure, said method comprising the step of:
-
A) implanting at least one anchor in the body of the subject adjacent to or within the tissue, B) connecting a tensioning element to the at least one anchor such that the tensioning element is under tension and exerts a force that displaces the tissue away from the tubular anatomical structure. - View Dependent Claims (5, 7, 13, 14, 20, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95)
-
-
96-113. -113. (canceled)
-
114. A method for causing a desired alteration of volitional or non-volitional flow of a body fluid through a lumen of the body of a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:
-
A) positioning an anchor at a first location whereby it engages tissue near the lumen and;
B) attaching said anchor to a tensioning member at a selected location on said tensioning member, said selected location being selected from a plurality of potential locations each of which will result in a different amount of tension on the tensioning member, said selected location resulting in an amount of tension that causes the desired alteration of volitional or non-volitional flow of a body fluid through the lumen. - View Dependent Claims (115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123)
-
-
124. (canceled)
-
125. (canceled)
-
126. A method for dilating, repositioning or changing the shape of a body lumen in a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:
-
(A) implanting one or more support members at spaced apart locations about the body lumen;
(B) applying tension to at least some of the support member to create discrete and independent forces that result in dilation, repositioning or a change in shape of the body lumen. - View Dependent Claims (127, 128, 129)
-
-
130-137. -137. (canceled)
Specification