Method and system for internal ligation of tubular structures
First Claim
1. A method of blocking a tubular anatomical structure, comprising the steps of:
- grasping tissue with an inflatable member on the interior of said tubular anatomical structure at one or more locations disposed along a lumen of said tubular anatomical structure and manipulating said tubular anatomical structure to form an inverted folded tissue bundle comprising tissue from around the circumference of said tubular anatomical structure; and
applying a ligating structure to said tissue bundle.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical device for performing internal ligation of a fallopian tube or other tubular anatomical structure, by application of one or more ligating bands to a folded portion of the wall of the tubular structure. Also the invention includes a method of using the device. The inventive method and device may be used for sterilization to prevent undesired pregnancies, or for other medical applications. The device includes an elongated tubular element that is inserted into the fallopian tube; a grasper that extends out of the tubular element, grasps the interior of the fallopian tube and retracts into the tubular element drawing in a folded bundle of the fallopian tube tissue; and a pusher balloon for pushing a ligating band from the tip of the tubular element onto the tissue bundle.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of blocking a tubular anatomical structure, comprising the steps of:
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grasping tissue with an inflatable member on the interior of said tubular anatomical structure at one or more locations disposed along a lumen of said tubular anatomical structure and manipulating said tubular anatomical structure to form an inverted folded tissue bundle comprising tissue from around the circumference of said tubular anatomical structure; and
applying a ligating structure to said tissue bundle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of ligating a tubular anatomical structure having a wall surrounding a central lumen, comprising the steps of:
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inserting a first end of an elongated tubular element into the lumen of the tubular anatomical structure, at least one ligating structure being secured at said first end of said tubular element;
extending a grasper out of said first end of said tubular element and through said at least one ligating structure;
grasping tissue from the wall of said tubular anatomical structure with said grasper at one or more locations around a circumference of, and disposed apart from an end of, said lumen, wherein said grasper comprises an inflatable end portion;
retracting said grasper into said first end of said tubular element, drawing the grasped tissue with said grasper into said first end of said tubular element and through said ligating structure to form an inverted tissue bundle within said first end of said tubular element; and
releasing said at least one ligating structure from said first end of said tubular element to contract about said inverted tissue bundle to form a ligation of said tubular anatomical structure;
freeing said tissue bundle from said grasper; and
withdrawing said tubular element from said tubular anatomical structure. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of blocking a lumen of a tubular anatomical structure, comprising the steps of:
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manipulating an inflatable member to grasp tissue on the interior of a stretch of said lumen;
folding said tubular anatomical structure inwardly upon itself to form an inverted tissue bundle comprising tissue from around a circumference of said lumen, said tissue bundle being disposed within said stretch of said lumen; and
applying a ligating structure to said tissue bundle effective to block a passage through said lumen. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification