SYMMETRICAL DRIVE SYSTEM FOR AN IMPLANTABLE RESTRICTION DEVICE

• US 20110071557A1
• Filed: 09/18/2009
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Tsonton, Mark, Plescia, David N., Mumaw, Daniel J., Chen, Christine H., Woodruff, Scott A., Lessek, Timothy P., Krumanaker, David T., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Korvick, Donna L., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Dlugos, Daniel F. JR., Messerly, Jeffrey D., Swindon, Patrick J., Marcotte, Amy L., Crivelli, Rocco, Nalagatla, Anil K., Bork, Toralf
• Granted Patent: US 8,617,049 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12009 Implements for ligaturing other than by clamps or clips, e.g. using a loop with a slip knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0036 implantable A61F2/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0053 remotely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0056 using injection ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0059 with wireless means

Abstract

An apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient'"'"'s organ or duct includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct. A tension element is disposed for movement within the elongated member. A symmetrical drive system including a drive element associated with and engaging the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient'"'"'s body organ or duct is further provided. In accordance with an alternate embodiment an apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient'"'"'s organ or duct including an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct. A tension element is disposed for movement within the elongated member. The tension element is composed of a flexible first member and a flexible second member, wherein the flexible first member is movable relative to the flexible second member. A drive element is associated with and engages the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient'"'"'s body organ or duct.

Claims

1. Apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient'"'"'s organ or duct, comprising:

an elongated member having a first end and a second end;

a fastener disposed on the first end of the elongated member, the fastener configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct;

a tension element disposed for movement within the elongated member; and

a symmetrical drive system including a drive element associated with and engaging the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient'"'"'s body organ or duct.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the symmetrical drive system includes a flexible first threaded member and a flexible second threaded member controlled by a single motor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the motor includes a first actuated drive and a second actuated drive.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first actuated drive and the second actuated drive are simultaneously controlled by the motor.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flexible first member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the flexible first member being secured to a first end of the tension element and the second end of the flexible first member is fed into the first actuated drive of the motor, and the flexible second member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the flexible second member being secured to a second end of the tension element and the second end is fed into the second actuated drive of the motor, wherein the flexible first member is either drawn into or pushed further out of the first actuated drive and the flexible second member is either drawn into or pushed further out of the second actuated drive to either reduce or increase a diameter of the tension element.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first actuated drive employs a nut upon which a threaded surface of the flexible first member rides so as to push or pull the flexible first member through the first actuated drive and the second actuated drive employs a nut upon which a threaded surface of the flexible second member ride so as to push or pull the flexible second member through the second actuated drive.

7. Apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient'"'"'s organ or duct, comprising:

an elongated member having a first end and a second end;

a fastener disposed on the first end of the elongated member, the fastener configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct;

a tension element disposed for movement within the elongated member, the tension element being composed of a flexible first member and a flexible second member, wherein the flexible first member is movable relative to the flexible second member; and

a drive element associated with and engaging the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient'"'"'s body organ or duct.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the flexible first member is threaded externally and the flexible second member is internally threaded.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the flexible first member is shaped and dimensioned to seat within the flexible second member in a manner coupling the flexible first member to the flexible second member but allowing rotation of the flexible first member relative to the flexible second member for controlled adjustment of their relative positions.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one of the flexible first member and the flexible second member is attached to a rotational motor such that as the motor turns the flexible first member is either drawn into or pushed farther out of the flexible second member to either reduce or increase the diameter thereof.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the flexible first member is a hollow shaft at a first end of the tension element and the flexible second member is a threaded shaft at a second end of the tension element.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the threaded shaft is movably coupled to a drive motor secured at a free end of the hollow shaft for controlling movement of the first end of the tension element relative to the second end of the tension element.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the drive motor includes an input passageway shaped and dimensioned to guide the threaded shaft therethrough and into a cavity defined by the hollow shaft.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the elongated member includes a first segment and a second segment, the first segment includes a first end and a second end and the second segment includes a first end and a second end, the second end of the first segment and the second end of second segment are linked via a quick connect coupling.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the tension element is composed of a first tension segment and a second tension segment, the first tension segment includes a first end and a second end and the second tension segment includes a first end and second end, the first end of the first segment and the first end of the second segment are linked via the drive element that couples the first end of the first tension segment to the first end of the second tension segment.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the second ends of the first segment and first tension segment and the second ends of the second segment and second tension segment are linked via the quick connect coupling.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first ends of the first tension segment and the second tension segment terminate with a screw fitting engaged by a drive motor of the drive element.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the drive element includes an angled beveled gear connected to a motor which is in turn connected to the second ends of the first and second tension segments.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein angled racks are formed along the first ends of the first and second tension segments.

20. The apparatus according claim 7, wherein the flexible first member includes camming surfaces and the flexible second member includes camming surfaces, and the respective camming surfaces of the flexible first member and the flexible second camming member interact to control expansion and constriction of the tension element.