POSITIONING TOOLS AND METHODS FOR IMPLANTING MEDICAL DEVICES

• US 20160022464A1
• Filed: 10/08/2015
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: STACK, Richard S., GLENN, Richard A., BALBIERZ, Daniel, LUNSFORD, John, ATHAS, William L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,844,453 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0079 Pyloric or esophageal obstructions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0089 Instruments for placement or removal

Abstract

Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach. In an alternative embodiment, an expansion structure on the distal end of the elongate portion expands and/or contracts the medical implant to facilitate positioning.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A device for positioning an implant in a patient, comprising:

a handle;

a first elongated member extending distally from the handle;

a second elongated member positioned at least partially within the first elongated member and coaxial with the first elongated member, wherein the first and second elongated members are movable relative to each other; and

an expansion structure including a plurality of expansion elements, wherein each expansion element is coupled to both the first elongated member and the second elongated member, and each expansion element extends in a proximal-to-distal direction;

wherein movement of the second elongated member distally relative to the first elongated member is configured to move the expansion structure to a first elongated configuration, and movement of the second elongated member proximally relative to the first elongated member is configured to move the expansion structure to a second expanded configuration.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the first elongated member includes a cannula, the second elongated member includes a mandrel disposed within a lumen of the cannula, and the first and second elongated members are slidable relative to each other.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein each expansion element includes a rod, and each rod includes a proximal end pivotally connected to the cannula, a distal end pivotally connected to the mandrel, and an intermediate pivot point between the proximal and distal ends.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein each expansion element is configured to be sutured to the implant.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein each of the expansion elements is positioned on a same side of the first and second elongated members.

26. The device of claim 21, wherein the device is configured to be coupled to an implant positioned radially outward of the expansion elements, and the device further includes a sheath configured to be positioned radially outward of the implant.

27. The device of claim 21, wherein the first elongated member includes a fixed bent portion, and the second elongated member is flexible and configured to slide proximally and distally within the fixed bent portion.

28. A device for positioning an implant in a patient, comprising:

a first elongated member;

a second elongated member movable relative to the first elongated member;

a plurality of expansion elements, each expansion element including two rigid elongated sections, wherein a proximal end of each expansion element is pivotally connected to the first elongated member, and a distal end of each expansion element is pivotally connected to the second elongated member;

wherein a central portion of each expansion element is configured to expand in a radially outward direction when the second elongated member is moved relative to the first elongated member.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the first elongated member includes a cannula, the second elongated member includes a mandrel disposed within a lumen of the cannula, and the first and second elongated members are slidable relative to each other.

30. The device of claim 28, wherein the two rigid elongated sections of each expansion element are pivotally connected to each other.

31. The device of claim 28, wherein movement of the second elongated member distally relative to the first elongated member is configured to move each expansion element to a first elongated configuration, and movement of the second elongated member proximally relative to the first elongated member is configured to move each expansion element to a second expanded configuration.

32. The device of claim 28, wherein each of the expansion elements is positioned on a same side of the first and second elongated members.

33. The device of claim 28, wherein the device is configured to be coupled to an implant positioned radially outward of the expansion elements, and the device further includes a sheath configured to be positioned radially outward of the implant.

34. The device of claim 28, wherein the first elongated member includes a fixed bent portion, and the second elongated member is flexible and configured to slide proximally and distally within the fixed bent portion.

35. A device for positioning an implant in a patient, comprising:

a handle;

a cannula extending distally from the handle;

a mandrel, at least a portion of the mandrel positioned within a lumen of the cannula; and

a plurality of expansion elements, each expansion element including a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal and distal portions are pivotally connected to each other, and wherein a proximal end of the proximal portion and a distal end of the distal portion are movable relative to each other;

wherein movement of the mandrel relative to the cannula corresponds to;

a) movement of the proximal end of the proximal portion and the distal end of the distal portion of each expansion element towards each other, and b) a radially outward movement of a central portion of each expansion element.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the proximal end of the proximal portion of each expansion element is pivotally coupled to the cannula, and the distal end of the distal portion of each expansion element is pivotally coupled to the mandrel.

37. The device of claim 35, wherein an exterior of the handle includes a sliding member coupled to the mandrel.

38. The device of claim 35, wherein the mandrel extends distally past a distal end of the cannula.

39. The device of claim 35, wherein movement of the mandrel relative to the cannula is movement of the mandrel proximally relative to the cannula, and movement of the mandrel distally relative to the cannula corresponds to:

a) movement of the proximal end of the proximal portion and the distal end of the distal portion of each expansion element away from each other, and b) a radially inward movement of the central portion of each expansion element.

40. The device of claim 35, wherein the cannula includes a fixed bent portion, and the mandrel is flexible and configured to slide proximally and distally within the fixed bent portion.