NEEDLE-ELECTRODE AND TISSUE ANCHOR SYSTEM

• US 20100094341A1
• Filed: 01/09/2008
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Raju, Gottumukkala S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,920,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/232
• 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 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/061 hollow or tubular
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00273 Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth

Abstract

The disclosure provides a needle-electrode anchor system having a needle and an optional electrode with one or more anchors. The system can provide an electrical cutting current to the needle-electrode to create an opening in a tissue portion. An anchor coupled to the needle-electrode can be pushed through the opening with a pusher and pulled into position to set the anchor on a distal surface of the opening. If the tissue portion is to be approximated to another tissue portion, the system can be relocated to another tissue portion and another opening created with the cutting current with another anchor pushed through the opening and secured on a distal surface. Lines coupled to the anchors can be pulled together, approximating the tissue portions. If the tissue portion is to be retracted, an anchor line can be grasped to retract the tissue portion from an adjacent tissue portion.

Claims

1. A needle-electrode anchor system, comprising:

a needle adapted to at least partially create an opening in a tissue portion;

at least one anchor coupled to the needle, the anchor being coupled to a line;

a pusher catheter coupled to the needle and adapted to push the anchor off of the needle and at least partially through the opening in the tissue portion; and

an electrode coupled to the needle.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of anchors coupled to the needle.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of anchors comprise a plurality of lines coupled to the anchors to grasp and tie together when the anchors are disposed at least partially through the tissue portion.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an endoscope coupled to the needle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the needle is disposed inside an endoscope channel and the anchor and pusher catheter are slidably disposed on the endoscope.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the anchor is adapted to change orientation, shape, or a combination thereof after insertion at least partially through the tissue portion.

2. (canceled)

8. A method of adjusting a location of a first tissue portion relative to a second tissue portion with a needle-electrode anchor system having a needle, an electrode coupled to the needle, and at least one anchor coupled to the needle, the anchor being coupled to a line, comprising:

creating an opening through a first surface of the first tissue portion with the needle, comprising;

applying an electrical current to the electrode; and

cutting through the first tissue portion using the electrode with the electrical current to form the opening through the first surface of the first tissue portion;

pushing the anchor through the opening and off of the needle; and

positioning the anchor on a second surface of the first tissue portion distal from the first surface relative to the tissue portion.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising pushing the needle through the opening prior to pushing the anchor through the opening.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising inserting a guide wire through the needle and through the opening.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising retracting the first tissue portion from an adjacent tissue portion using the anchor.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the needle-electrode anchor system comprises a second anchor coupled to the needle and further comprising:

creating an opening through a first surface of a second tissue portion with the needle;

pushing the second anchor through the opening and off of the needle; and

positioning the anchor on a second surface of the second tissue portion distal from the first surface relative to the tissue portion.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling the first and second anchors together to approximate the first and second tissue portions.

9. (canceled)