System for applying fasteners to tissue

• US 5,824,008 A
• Filed: 03/05/1997
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Origin Medsystems Inc. (Eli Lilly and Company)
• Inventors: Lunsford, John, Bolduc, Lee, Kramer, Thomas A., McCoy, Tim, Hodges, Brian A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHMIDT, JEFFREY
• Application Number:
  US08/812,959
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 606/140-143, 606/139, 606/151, 606/148, 606/213, 227/175.1-182, 227/901, 227/19
• US Class Current: 606/143
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06076 helically or spirally coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06171 helically or spirally coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0649 Coils or spirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/901 Surgical clip appliers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/902 Surgical clips or staples
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 Polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/916 Tool for installing or removing orthopedic fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4695 Wire curved or bent

Abstract

A helical fastener having a high retentive surface area is provided and has a first end for enhancing penetration into tissue and a second end comprising a coil sectioning a diameter of the fastener for receiving longitudinal and rotational forces. The helical fasteners are attached to body tissue by a fastener applicator having a proximal portion comprising a handle and an actuator and an elongate distal portion for housing a plurality of fasteners. A transferring action of the actuator provides longitudinal and rotational movement of the fasteners out of the distal portion and into body tissue.

Claims

1. A system for applying fasteners to body tissue, comprising:

a plurality of fasteners, each having a helical configuration;

an applicator for applying said fasteners to body tissue, said applicator having a distal portion and a proximal portion;

said distal portion having an elongate outer tube, a connecting end and a terminal end, said terminal end having internal threads;

said proximal portion having a handle and an actuator, said proximal portion attached to said connecting end of said distal portion; and

said plurality of fasteners being configured within said distal portion and advanced through said threads upon manipulation of said actuator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said threads are formed within interior walls of said outer tube.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said distal portion further comprises a sleeve attached to said outer tube, said sleeve defining said internal threads.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said threads are formed by deforming said terminal end of said outer tube.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each said fastener defines a plurality of adjacent coils, at least one of said fasteners having said adjacent coils configured within threads of said terminal end.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said threads guide said fasteners out of said distal portion.

7. The system of claim 1, said applicator further comprising a rotator for receiving said plurality of fasteners and for cooperating with said actuator, wherein upon rotation of said rotator, said fasteners advance through said distal portion and said threads.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein upon manipulation of said actuator, said fasteners are rotated through said threads.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said threads define the pitch of said fasteners as said fasteners exit said distal portion.