APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING FASTENERS DURING VALVE REPLACEMENT
First Claim
1. A fastener delivery tool, comprising:
- a loading chamber for receiving a fastener having a plurality of tines in a relaxed state;
a releasable retaining member for limiting movement of the fastener within the loading chamber;
an ejection track communicating with the loading chamber;
a handle including an actuator;
a tongue and a pusher member coupled to the actuator, activation of the actuator advancing the tongue to engage the tines so as to transform the fastener from the relaxed state to a constrained state and advancing the pusher member to advance the fastener from the loading chamber down the ejection track.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fastener delivery tool includes a loading chamber for receiving a fastener having a pair of tines overlapping one another to define a loop in a parent or relaxed state. A retaining member retains the fastener in the loading chamber. The fastener delivery tool also includes a tongue, pusher member, and an ejection track communicating with the loading chamber. An actuator causes the tongue to move to engage the tines of the fastener to transform the fastener from the relaxed state to a constrained state defining a U-shape. The actuator also causes the pusher member to release the retaining member and advance the fastener down the ejection track in the constrained state. The tool also includes a trigger for ejecting the fastener completely from the ejection track. The fastener may be used to secure a prosthetic heart valve or components thereof into surrounding tissue, e.g., within a tissue annulus.
142 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A fastener delivery tool, comprising:
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a loading chamber for receiving a fastener having a plurality of tines in a relaxed state;
a releasable retaining member for limiting movement of the fastener within the loading chamber;
an ejection track communicating with the loading chamber;
a handle including an actuator;
a tongue and a pusher member coupled to the actuator, activation of the actuator advancing the tongue to engage the tines so as to transform the fastener from the relaxed state to a constrained state and advancing the pusher member to advance the fastener from the loading chamber down the ejection track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A fastener delivery tool, comprising:
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a loading chamber for receiving at least one fastener having a pair of tines overlapping one another in a relaxed state, the loading chamber including a release pin on which said at least one fastener is loaded;
an ejection track communicating with the loading chamber; and
an actuator coupled to a tongue and a pusher member, activation of the actuator causing the tongue to engage the plurality of tines to transform the fastener from the relaxed state to a constrained state and causing the pusher member to advance the fastener in the constrained state from the loading chamber down the ejection track. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for delivering a fastener, comprising:
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restraining a fastener within a delivery tool using a retaining member, the fastener comprising a pair of tines;
advancing a tongue in the delivery tool relative to the restrained fastener to transform the fastener from a relaxed state to a constrained state;
releasing the fastener from the retaining member while the fastener is in the constrained state;
advancing the fastener in the constrained state distally within the delivery tool; and
ejecting the fastener from the delivery tool. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for securing a heart valve prosthesis within a tissue annulus, comprising:
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restraining a fastener within a delivery tool using a retaining member;
advancing a tongue in the delivery tool relative to the restrained fastener to transform the fastener from a relaxed state to a constrained state;
releasing the fastener from the retaining member while the fastener is in the constrained state;
advancing the fastener in the constrained state distally within the delivery tool; and
ejecting the fastener from the delivery tool through a component of a heart valve prosthesis into the tissue annulus. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification