SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURING AN IMPLANTABLE INTERFACE TO A MAMMAL

• US 20080097496A1
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuvasive Specialized Orthopedics, Inc. (Nuvasive Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ellipse Technologies, Inc. (Nuvasive Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chang, Arvin, Pool, Scott, Tran, Peter P., Walker, Blair
• Granted Patent: US 8,246,533 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3474 Insufflating needles, e.g. Veress needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0649 Coils or spirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0053 remotely adjustable

Abstract

A system for securing an implantable apparatus to a mammal includes a mount including a base portion having a plurality of holes dimensioned to receive rotationally-driven fasteners, each fastener comprising a helical portion having a tip configured for tissue penetration, the mount configured to secure the implantable apparatus relative to tissue of the mammal upon driving the fasteners into the tissue. The system further includes a fastening tool configured to rotationally drive the helical portion of the fasteners into the tissue. The mount may be secured to the fascia covering the sternum via a subcutaneous securement method, or it may be attached to the intra-abdominal wall, behind the sternum, or it may be attached to the sternum directly via bone screws or the like.

Claims

1. A system for securing an implantable apparatus to a mammal comprising:

a mount including a base portion having a plurality of holes dimensioned to receive rotationally-driven fasteners, each fastener comprising a helical portion having a tip configured for tissue penetration, the mount configured to secure the implantable apparatus relative to tissue of the mammal upon driving said fasteners into the tissue; and

a fastening tool configured to rotationally drive the helical portion of the fasteners into the tissue.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tissue comprises soft tissue.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fasteners are driven into the tissue at substantially the same time.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein movement of a portion of the fastening tool rotationally drives the helical portion of the fasteners into the tissue.

5. A fastening tool comprising:

an elongate rotatable shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being coupled to a knob, the distal end being coupled to a driving element comprising a centrally mounted gear and a plurality of outer gears rotationally engaged with the centrally mounted gear, each of the plurality of outer gears being coupled to a driver shaft dimensioned to engage with a fastener;

wherein rotation of the knob causes rotational movement of each driver shaft.

6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the fastener comprises a head portion connected to a coil portion.

7. The tool of claim 5, further comprising a handle disposed about the elongate rotatable shaft.

8. The tool of claim 5, wherein rotational movement of the knob also causes axial movement of each driver shaft.

9. A fastening tool comprising:

an elongate rotatable shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being coupled to a knob, the distal end being coupled to a driving element comprising an outer ring gear and a plurality of inner gears, each of the plurality of inner gears being coupled to a driver shaft dimensioned to engage with a fastener;

wherein rotation of the knob causes rotational movement of each driver shaft.

10. A connector for securing a gastric restriction device, the connector comprising:

a first portion including recess having an engagement surface;

a second portion comprising a biased locking member having a free end configured to abut against the engagement surface when the second portion is mated with the first portion, wherein one of the first or second portions includes a groove dimensioned to receive the other portion; and

release means secured to the biased locking member.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the release means comprises at least one filament.

12. The connector of claim 10, wherein the biased locking member is substantially rigid.

13. A method for laparoscopically placing a gastric restriction device around the stomach of a patient, the gastric restriction device including an adjustable body, a drive transmission, and an implantable interface comprising:

inserting a 12 mm or smaller trocar into the patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity;

insufflating the abdominal cavity;

passing the gastric restriction device through the 12 mm trocar and into the abdominal cavity;

affixing the adjustable body in an encircling manner around the stomach; and

securing the implantable interface to the patient.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the implantable interface is secured to the patient'"'"'s fascia.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the implantable interface is secured intra-abdominally.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising removing the gastric restriction device through a 12 mm trocar.

17. A method for laparoscopically placing a gastric restriction device around the stomach of a patient comprising:

inserting a multi-lumen trocar into the patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity;

insufflating the abdominal cavity;

inserting a laparoscope in a first lumen of the multi-lumen trocar and inserting a grasper into a second lumen of the multi-lumen trocar, the grasper holding a retraction magnet having a clamp portion;

clamping the retraction magnet to a portion of the patient'"'"'s liver;

retracting the liver by application of an external magnetic field;

removing the multi-lumen trocar and inserting the gastric restriction device into the abdominal cavity;

reinserting a multi-lumen trocar into the patient; and

affixing the gastric restriction device in an encircling manner around the stomach under laparoscope guidance.

18. A method for laparoscopically placing a gastric restriction device around the stomach of a patient comprising:

inserting a multi-lumen trocar into the patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity;

affixing the gastric restriction device in an encircling manner around the stomach under laparoscope guidance from a laparoscope placed in one of the lumens of the multi-lumen trocar;

inserting a tool in one of the lumens of the multi-lumen trocar, the tool including a releasable clip having first and second gripping portions;

securing the first gripping portion to a first portion of the stomach;

securing the second gripping portion to a second portion of the stomach; and

releasing the clip from the tool.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising removing the multi-luman trocar and inserting the gastric restriction device into the abdominal cavity.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising re-inserting a multi-lumen trocar into the patient.

21. An implant system comprising:

an actuator configured for implantation within a mammal;

a first resonant structure configured for implantation within the mammal and configured to resonate at a first natural frequency, the first resonant structure being operatively coupled to the actuator; and

an external activator configured to apply energy at a one or more frequencies from a location outside the mammal, wherein the application of the energy at a frequency substantially the same as the first natural frequency causes the first resonant structure to substantially resonate and to effectuate movement of the actuator.

22. The implant system of claim 21, wherein the energy is vibrational energy.

23. The implant system of claim 21, wherein the energy is magnetic energy.

24. The implant system of claim 21, wherein the energy is acoustic energy.

25. The implant system of claim 21, wherein the actuator is configured to change the shape or size of a gastrointestinal implant.

26. The implant system of claim 21, further comprising a second resonant structure configured for implantation within the mammal and configured to resonate at a second natural frequency.

27. The implant system of claim 26, wherein the second natural frequency is substantially different from the first natural frequency and wherein the application of the energy at a frequency substantially the same as the first natural frequency causes a change in a movement of the actuator in a first direction, and wherein the application of the energy at a frequency substantially the same as the second natural frequency causes a change in a movement of the actuator in a second direction.

28. The implant system of claim 27, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

29. The implant system of claim 21, wherein the movement of the actuator comprises linear motion.

30. The implant system of claim 21, wherein the movement of the actuator comprises rotary motion.

31. The implant system of claim 21, wherein the movement of the actuator comprises deformation.