Fastener for hernia mesh fixation

• US 6,447,524 B1
• Filed: 10/19/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ludzack, Michael R., Knodel, Bryan D., Fuchs, Richard P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanatta, A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Muromoto, Jr., Robert H.
• Application Number:
  US09/692,633
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/72, 606/75, 606/59, 606/76, 606/218, 606/220, 606/232, 606/139, 606/144, 606/78, 606/145, 606/151, 606/219, 606/158, 604/59, 297/111
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/907 Composed of particular material or coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/911 Memory material

Abstract

A surgical fastener for attaching a prosthesis to body tissue formed from a generally planar continuous body member. The body has a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The body is preferably made from a superelastic nickel titanium alloy. The device further includes at least one, but preferably two, resilient barbs extending proximally and axially away from the distal end, preferably in different directions. The device further includes and at least one, but preferably two, resilient legs extending proximally and axially away from the proximal end, preferably in different directions. The barbs and the legs are also preferably made from a superelastic nickel titanium alloy.

Claims

1. A surgical fastener for attaching a prosthesis to body tissue comprising:

a. a generally planar continuous body member having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween;

b. at least one resilient barb extending axially away from said first end, and at least two resilient barbs extending axially away from said second end, said barbs on said second end extending therefrom in different directions.

2. The fastener of claim 1 wherein at least one of said barbs is curved outwardly from said body.

3. The fastener of claim 2 wherein said at least one of said barb everts back towards said body.

4. The fastener of claim 1 wherein at least one of said barbs has a blunt end.

5. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the fastener is formed from stainless steel.

6. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the fastener is formed from a superelastic alloy.

7. The fastener of claim 1 wherein superelastic alloy is a nickel titanium alloy.

18. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the fastener is formed from stainless steel.

19. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the fastener is formed from a superelastic alloy.

20. The fastener of claim 1 wherein superelastic alloy is a nickel titanium alloy.

8. A surgical fastener for attaching a prosthesis to body tissue comprising:

a. a generally planar continuous body member having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween;

b. at least one resilient barb extending proximally and axially away from said distal end, and at least one resilient leg extending proximally and axially away from said proximal end.

9. The surgical fastener of claim 8 wherein said fastener has at least two barbs.

10. The surgical fastener of claim 9 wherein said at least two barbs extend from said distal end in axially different directions.

11. The surgical fastener of claim 8 wherein said fastener has at least two legs.

12. The surgical fastener of claim 11 wherein said at least two legs extend from said distal end in axially different directions.

13. The fastener of claim 8 wherein at least one of said at least one leg is curved outwardly from said body.

14. The fastener of claim 13 wherein said at least one leg everts back towards said body.

15. The fastener of claim 8 wherein at least one of said barbs has a blunt end.

16. The fastener of claim 8 wherein at least one of said legs has a blunt end.

17. The fastener of claim 8 wherein distal end of said body is blunt.

21. A surgical fastener for attaching a prosthesis to body tissue comprising:

a. a generally planar continuous body member having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, said body being made from a superelastic nickel titanium alloy;

b. at least two resilient barbs extending proximally and axially away from said distal end in different directions, and at least two resilient leg extending proximally and axially away from said proximal end in different directions, said barbs and said legs being made from a superelastic nickel titanium alloy.

22. The surgical fastener of claim 21 wherein said body, barbs and legs are