Applier with safety for implantable medical device

• US 20060293627A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hunt, John V., Conlon, Sean P., Byrum, Randal T., Uth, Joshua, Snyder, Shawn Charlton
• Granted Patent: US 8,029,477 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. An applier for attaching a medical implant to body tissue, said medical implant having a deployed and an undeployed state, said applier comprising:

(a) a handle having an actuator for changing the state of said implant from deployed to undeployed;

(b) a shaft having a proximal end attached to said handle and a distal end extending therefrom;

(c) a housing attached to and extending from said distal end of said shaft thereto, said medical implant being removably attached to said housing;

(d) said actuator having a first position which corresponds to said undeployed state of said implant when said medical implant is attached to said housing, and a second position which corresponds to said deployed state of said implant when said medical implant is attached to said housing; and

(e) a safety switch having an activated and an unactivated position, said switch prevents actuation of said actuator when in its unactivated position.

2. The applier of claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises a first slot corresponding to said first position and a second slot corresponding to said second position, said safety switch being configured to engage said first slot when said actuator is disposed at said first position and said safety switch is in said unactivated position and to engage said second slot when said actuator is disposed at said second position and said safety switch is in said unactivated position.