Surgical fastening system and method for using the same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical fastener comprising:
- a solid shaft of substantially uniform diameter having a distal end and a proximal end;
a bar at said proximal end of said shaft, said bar extending outwardly from said shaft;
said distal end of said shaft being rounded and devoid of a cutting edge and devoid of a penetration point; and
a fin extending outwardly from said shaft proximate said distal end, said fin having a distal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft and a proximal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical fastening system for attaching one piece of tissue to another piece of tissue. The system comprises a surgical fastener, an installation tool for deploying the surgical fastener in tissue, and a method for using the same.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. A surgical fastener comprising:
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a solid shaft of substantially uniform diameter having a distal end and a proximal end; a bar at said proximal end of said shaft, said bar extending outwardly from said shaft; said distal end of said shaft being rounded and devoid of a cutting edge and devoid of a penetration point; and a fin extending outwardly from said shaft proximate said distal end, said fin having a distal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft and a proximal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A surgical fastener comprising:
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a solid shaft of substantially uniform diameter having a distal end and a proximal end; a bar at said proximal end of said shaft, said bar extending outwardly from said shaft; said distal end of said shaft being rounded and devoid of a cutting edge and devoid of a penetration point; and a fin extending outwardly from said shaft proximate said distal end, said fin having a distal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft and a proximal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft; wherein said fin is in alignment with said bar, and wherein a side of said shaft opposite from a side on which are disposed said bar and said fin is provided with a pair of nibs in alignment with each other axially of said shaft. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A surgical fastener comprising:
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a solid shaft of substantially uniform diameter having a distal end and a proximal end; a bar at said proximal end of said shaft, said bar extending outwardly from said shaft; said distal end of said shaft being rounded and devoid of a cutting edge and devoid of a penetration point; a fin in alignment with said bar, said fin extending outwardly from said shaft proximate said distal end, said fin having a distal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft and a proximal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft; and a grip portion connected to said shaft by frangible tabs, said tabs extending from a side of said shaft opposite from a side on which are disposed said bar and said fin, a portion of said tabs, upon said tabs being severed to separate said grip portion from said shaft, remaining on said shaft to provide a pair of nibs in alignment with each other axially of said shaft along said opposite side of said shaft. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A surgical fastener comprising:
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a solid shaft of substantially uniform diameter having a distal end and a proximal end; a bar at said proximal end of said shaft, said bar extending outwardly from said shaft; said distal end of said shaft being rounded and devoid of a cutting edge and devoid of a penetration point; and a fin extending outwardly from said shaft proximate said distal end, said fin having a distal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft and a proximal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft; wherein the sidewise thickness of said bar is no more than the diameter of said shaft; wherein said fin includes two parallel sides extending axially of said shaft, said fin being in alignment with said bar; wherein the thickness of said fin between said sides of said fin is no greater than said sidewise thickness of said bar; and wherein a side of said shaft opposite from a side on which are disposed said bar and said fin is provided with a plurality of nibs in alignment axially of said shaft.
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21. A surgical fastener comprising:
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a solid shaft of substantially uniform diameter having a distal end and a proximal end; a bar at said proximal end of said shaft, said bar extending outwardly from said shaft; said distal end of said shaft being rounded and devoid of a cutting edge and devoid of a penetration point; a fin extending outwardly from said shaft proximate said distal end, said fin having a distal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft and a proximal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft; and a grip portion connected to said shaft by frangible tabs extending from a side of said shaft opposite from a side on which are disposed said bar and said fin, a portion of said tabs, upon said tabs being severed to separate said grip portion from said shaft, remaining on said shaft to provide nibs in alignment with each other axially of said shaft along said opposite side of said shaft; wherein the sidewise thickness of said bar is no more than the diameter of said shaft; wherein said fin includes two parallel sides extending axially of said shaft, said fin being in alignment with said bar; and wherein the thickness of said fin between said sides of said fin is no greater than said sidewise thickness of said bar.
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22. An installation tool for a fastener comprising a shaft, a bar at a proximal end of said shaft extending outwardly from said shaft, and a fin extending outwardly from said shaft proximate a distal end of said shaft, said fin and said bar being in alignment with each other along a side of said shaft, said installation tool comprising:
an elongated inserter comprising a carrier portion adapted to retain said fastener and having at a distal end thereof a sharpened edge, said carrier portion having an open side from which extend end portions of said bar and said fin.
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23. An installation tool for a fastener comprising a shaft, a bar at a proximal end of said shaft extending outwardly from said shaft, and a fin extending outwardly from said shaft proximate a distal end of said shaft, said fin and said bar being in alignment with each other along a side of said shaft, said installation tool comprising:
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an elongated rigid tube; a carrier portion movable between a first position in said tube and a second position extended from a distal end of said tube, said carrier portion being adapted to retain said fastener and having at a distal end thereof a sharpened edge, said carrier portion having an open side from which extend end portions of said bar and said fin; and control means for moving said carrier portion in said tube between said first and second positions; whereby said installation tool is manipulable to extend said carrier portion and said fastener therein into a body of tissue, and to withdraw said carrier portion from said tissue, whereupon said fin resists withdrawal of said fastener and said fastener remains in said tissue as said installation tool is withdrawn therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A surgical fastening system comprising a fastener and an installation tool,
said fastener comprising: -
a shaft; a bar extending radially outwardly from a proximal end of said shaft; a fin extending radially outwardly from said shaft proximate a distal end of said shaft, said bar and said fin being in alignment with each other along a side of said shaft; and said installation tool comprising; an elongated inserter comprising a carrier portion adapted to retain said fastener and having at a distal end thereof a sharpened edge, said carrier portion having an open side from which extend end portions of said bar and said fin. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A surgical fastening system comprising a fastener, a dispenser for housing at least one of said fasteners, and an installation tool;
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said fastener comprising; a shaft; a bar extending radially outwardly from a proximal end of said shaft; a fin extending radially outwardly from said shaft proximate a distal end of said shaft, said bar and said fin being in alignment with each other along a side of said shaft; said dispenser comprising; a housing having disposed therein a chamber for retaining said fastener, and an entry way for receiving an installation tool having a carrier portion thereon adapted to receive and retain said fastener; said entry way and chamber being configured so as to facilitate said carrier portion sliding into engagement with said fastener; whereby upon withdrawal of said installation tool from said housing, said fastener is removed from said dispenser and is disposed in said installation tool carrier portion; and said installation tool comprising; an elongated rigid tube; said carrier portion being movable between a first position in said tube and a second position extended from a distal end of said tube, said carrier portion having at a distal end thereof a sharpened edge, said carrier portion having an open side from which extend end portions of said fastener bar and said fastener fin; and control means for moving said carrier portion and said fastener therein into a body of tissue, and to withdraw said carrier portion from said tissue, whereupon said fin resists withdrawal of said fastener and said fastener remains in said tissue as said installation tool is withdrawn therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A surgical fastener comprising:
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a solid shaft of substantially uniform transverse cross-section having a longitudinal axis, an outer surface, a distal end and a proximal end; a bar proximate said proximal end of said shaft, said bar extending radially outwardly from said outer surface of said shaft; said distal end of said shaft being rounded and devoid of a cutting edge and devoid of a penetration point; and a fin extending radially outwardly from said outer surface of said shaft proximate said distal end, said fin having a distal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft and a proximal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification