Apparatus and methods for delivering fasteners during valve replacement
First Claim
1. A fastener delivery tool, comprising:
- a belt comprising a pair of features configured to releasably engage tines of a fastener in a relaxed state;
a retaining member configured to receive the fastener and to retain the fastener in a first position with respect to the fastener delivery tool;
a tongue configured to transform the fastener into a constrained state by spreading the tines apart by advancing distally along inner surfaces of the tines while the fastener is retained in the first position;
a pusher member configured to advance distally in unison with the tongue to push the fastener from the first position to a second position;
wherein the retaining member is configured to release the fastener in response to interaction of a cam with the pusher member.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fastener delivery tool includes a belt including pairs of features for releasably engaging tines of respective fasteners in a relaxed state defining a loop. The tool includes a loading chamber for receiving a fastener from the belt, a retaining member for limiting movement of the fastener within the loading chamber, an ejection track communicating with the loading chamber, a handle including an actuator, and a tongue and pusher member coupled to the actuator. Activation of the actuator advances the tongue to transform the fastener from the relaxed state to a U-shaped constrained state, and advances the pusher member to direct the fastener from the loading chamber down the ejection track.
156 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A fastener delivery tool, comprising:
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a belt comprising a pair of features configured to releasably engage tines of a fastener in a relaxed state; a retaining member configured to receive the fastener and to retain the fastener in a first position with respect to the fastener delivery tool; a tongue configured to transform the fastener into a constrained state by spreading the tines apart by advancing distally along inner surfaces of the tines while the fastener is retained in the first position; a pusher member configured to advance distally in unison with the tongue to push the fastener from the first position to a second position;
wherein the retaining member is configured to release the fastener in response to interaction of a cam with the pusher member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fastener delivery tool, comprising:
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a housing comprising an actuator; a cartridge assembly extending from the housing and carrying a plurality of fasteners, the cartridge assembly comprising a belt comprising pairs of features releasably engaging tines of respective fasteners in a relaxed state, each of the fasteners defining a loop in the relaxed state; a loading chamber for successively receiving a fastener from the belt in the relaxed state; a retaining member configured to retain the fastener within the loading chamber; an ejection track communicating with the loading chamber; a tongue coupled to the actuator and configured to transform the fastener into a U-shaped constrained state by spreading the tines apart by advancing distally along inner surfaces of the tines in response to activation of the actuator; and a pusher member coupled to the actuator and configured to advance distally in unison with the tongue to advance the fastener from the loading chamber down the ejection track in response to activation of the actuator, wherein the belt is configured to deliver another fastener within the loading chamber in response to activation of the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A fastener delivery tool, comprising:
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a housing comprising an actuator; an elongate shaft extending from the housing and terminating in a distal tip, the shaft comprising a belt assembly therein comprising pairs of features releasably engaging tines of respective fasteners in a relaxed state, each of the fasteners defining a loop in the relaxed state; a loading chamber in the distal tip for successively receiving a fastener from the belt in the relaxed state; a retaining member configured to retain the fastener within the loading chamber; an ejection track communicating with the loading chamber; a tongue coupled to the actuator and configured to transform the fastener into a U-shaped constrained state by spreading the tines apart by advancing distally along inner surfaces of the tines in response to activation of the actuator; and a pusher member coupled to the actuator and configured to advance distally in unison with the tongue to advance the fastener from the loading chamber down the ejection track in response to activation of the actuator, wherein the belt is configured to deliver another fastener within the loading chamber in response to activation of the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification