METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PERCUTANEOUSLY MODIFYING ORGANS TO TREAT PATIENTS

• US 20070173888A1
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• 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
• Granted Patent: US 7,931,580 B2
• 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 for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• 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 for applying suture anchors A61B2017/0409; for applying wound clamps A61B17/10; for applying ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/128
• 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 hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• 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 device for compressing a least one region of an anatomical structure comprising:

a first anchor configured to communicate force to the anatomical structure from outside of the anatomical structure;

a second anchor configured to communicate force to the anatomic structure; and

a connector which links said first and said second anchors.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said anatomical structure is a stomach.

2. A device for modifying a lumenal structure in a human subject comprising:

at least one first anchor capable of communicating force to an anatomical region outside of the lumenal structure;

at least one second anchor capable of communicating force to the inner surface of the lumenal structure; and

a tethering element capable of linking the first and second anchors.

3. A system for altering the cross-section of a lumenal structure within the body of a human subject comprising:

an introducer device positionable inside the lumenal structure; and

a device that is introduceable through the introducer device into the lumenal structure, said device being configured to apply force to the luminal structure from outside the luminal structure.

4. A system for treating a condition in a human patient by modifying the tissue or the flow in the anatomical structure in the body of the human, causes a change in the human condition, said system comprising:

an anchor device comprising a first anchor, a second anchor; and

a connector that extends between said first and said second anchors.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein at least one of said first and said second anchors comprises a gripping element.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of said first and said second anchors comprises a T shaped anchor.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of said first and said second anchors comprises a fabric, textile, or other porous material.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of said first and said second anchors has a deployed and an undeployed configuration and is constructed to receive a surroundin lumenal device during insertion of the anchor.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of said first and said second anchors comprises a mesh material.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein a least one of said first and said second anchors is configured to engage or rest on a surface of a lumenal structure within said human subject.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein said connector comprises a suture.

12. The system of claim 4, wherein said connector can be shortened after at least one of said anchors has been implanted.

13. The system of claim 4, further comprising a delivery device for delivering said anchor device into the human subject'"'"'s body.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the delivery device comprises an elongate member having a lumen;

wherein said anchor device is initially contained within the lumen of said elongate member; and

wherein said anchor device is moveable through the lumen and thence out of the lumen.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said elongate member is configured to be advanced into a lumenal structure in said human subject, and then into an anatomical structure adjacent to said lumenal structure.

17. The device of claim 4, wherein said anatomical structure is a stomach.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein said anatomical structure is a stomach.

19. A kit for modifying the volume of an internal organ of a patient comprising:

a first anchor, a second anchor, and a connector;

wherein at least one of said first or said second anchors have a deployed configuration;

wherein said first anchor and said second anchor each have a surface area sufficient to prevent said first anchor and said second anchor from passing through said organ or tissue when in said deployed configuration;

and wherein said connector and said anchors are configured to permit said first anchor and said second anchor to be linked through said connector.

20. The kit of claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and said second anchors has an undeployed configuration wherein a profile of said undeployed configuration is reduced compared to said profile of said deployed configuration.

21. The kit of claim:

19, wherein at least one of said first and said second anchors is configured to be deployed in said patient prior to being connected to said connector.

22. The kit of claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and said second anchors is configured to be deployed on a surface of said organ or tissue.

23. The kit of claim 19, wherein said connector comprises a monofilament.

24. The kit of claim 19, wherein said connector comprises a multifilament.

25. The kit of claim 19, wherein said connector comprises an elongate portion having at least one toothed surface.

26. The kit of claim 19, wherein said connector is elastic.

27. The kit of claim 19, wherein said connector is configured to permit said connector to be shortened after at least one of said first and said second anchors has been implanted.

28. The kit of claim 19, further comprising a tensioning instrument configured to urge said first and said second anchor close together when said connector is connected to said first and said second anchors.