METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PERCUTANEOUSLY MODIFYING ORGANS TO TREAT PATIENTS

• US 20070167982A1
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Gertner, Neil J. Sheehan, Robert Brommer
• Original Assignee: Michael Gertner, Neil J. Sheehan, Robert Brommer
• Inventors: Gertner, Michael, Brommer, Robert, Sheehan, Neil
• Application Number:
  US11/693,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20070167982A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/232
• 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 17/0401 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 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00827 Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00871 polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0456 Surface features on the anchor, e.g. ribs increasing friction between the suture and the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0488 Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0076 preventing normal digestion, e.g. Bariatric or gastric sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0086 : using clamps, folding means or the like

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.

Claims

1. A method for delivering an implantable device into a human subject comprising:

a). providing a system that comprises;

a surgical device comprising an outer tube having a lumen, wherein said outer tube is insertable through the skin of a human subject and configured to serve as an entry port;

an implantable device for treating said human subject; and

a delivery tube, wherein said delivery tube is configured to be advanceable through said outer tube, and wherein said delivery tube is configured to deliver said implantable device into said human subject;

b). inserting said outer tube through the skin of said human subject;

c). advancing said delivery tube through said outer tube into to a position within or near an anatomic structure in said human subject; and

d). implanting said implantable device into said human subject using the delivery tube.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said implantable device comprises an inflateable portion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said implantable device comprises a portion adapted to transmit an electrical current to said anatomic structure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said delivery tube further comprises a grasping portion.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said delivery tube further comprises a tissue penetrating portion.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said implantable device comprises an undeployed and a deployed configuration.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said anatomic structure comprises a lumen.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said anatomic structure is a stomach.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said implantable device comprises a tissue penetrating portion.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said implantable device comprises an anchor.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said implantable device comprises a connecting portion.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying tension to said device through said outer tube.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said device comprises a first anchor and a second anchor, and wherein tension is applied between the first and second anchors, said tension being applied through a connector and by drawing said first anchor and said second anchor toward one another.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said connector comprises a suture.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said anchor is adapted to grip the connector.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said anatomic structure is a stomach.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said connector traverses the stomach and one anchor is placed posterior to the stomach and one anchor is placed anterior to the stomach.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said device comprises at least one anchor and one connector and wherein said connector is further tensioned such that said anchor applies a force on the anatomic structure to change the volume of said structure.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said anatomic structure is a stomach.

20. A method for modifying the interior volume of a patient'"'"'s organ or tissue, comprising:

providing a fastening assembly comprising a first anchor, a second anchor, and a connector;

passing said assembly through the skin of a patient;

deploying at least one anchor adjacent to said organ or tissue;

connecting said connector to said first and said second anchors wherein said connector attaches to said first and second anchors; and

wherein the length of the connector between said first and said second anchors is such that the interior volume of said organ or tissue is modified.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said connector passes through said interior volume of said organ or tissue.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said interior volume is reduced.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of said fastening assembly is configured to conduct electrical current.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said electrical current stimulates the tissue or organ.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of said fastening assembly is configured to deliver a medicine to said organ, said method further comprising delivering a medicine to said organ via said fastening assembly or portion thereof.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein said first anchor is adjacent to a first exterior surface of a first wall of said organ, said second anchor is adjacent the exterior surface of a second wall of said organ, and said connector passes through said first and second wall of said organ.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the length of the connector is such that the first and second anchors bring said first and said second wall of said organ closer to each other.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein said deploying at least one anchor adjacent to said organ or tissue step further comprises supplying an anchor implantation instrument configured to penetrate the skin and enable travel of at least one of said first and said second anchors through the instrument for deployment within a patient to deploy said at least one anchor adjacent to said organ or tissue.

29. The method of claim 20 wherein said modification of said interior volume treats a disease or symptom thereof.