Applicator for attaching fasteners to tissue

• US 5,964,772 A
• Filed: 03/05/1997
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• 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): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, THUY D
• Application Number:
  US08/812,958
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 606/143, 606/142, 606/139, 606/151, 606/205-208, 227/175.1-182, 227/901, 227/19
• US Class Current: 606/142
• 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. An applicator for attaching fasteners to body tissue, comprising:

a distal portion having an elongate outer tube, a connecting end and a terminal end at least one fastener is disposed in said distal portion;

a proximal portion having a handle and an elongate drive assembly, said elongate drive assembly being in axial alignment with said distal portion; and

a clutch assembly;

wherein said distal portion is configured to be releasably connected to said proximal portion, said releasable connection between said proximal portion and said distal portion being provided by said clutch assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate drive assembly includes a lead screw and a nut driver, said lead screw having a first end and a second end.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a rotator configured to reside within and extend substantially the length of said outer tube, said rotator having a proximal end and a distal end.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said clutch assembly includes a connecting surface configured on said second end of said lead screw which interfaces with a cooperating surface formed on said proximal end of said rotator.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said connecting surface includes a plurality of leaf springs.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said connecting surface further includes an internal bore and each said leaf spring includes an engaging face.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said cooperating surface further includes a plurality of ridges for releasable engagement with said engaging face of said leaf springs and an extension adapted to mate with said internal bore of said lead screw connecting surface.