Method for deploying fasteners for use in a gastric volume reduction procedure

• US 8,236,011 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2009
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Harris, Jason L., Holcomb, Matthew D., Zeiner, Mark S., Stokes, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, JULIAN W
• Application Number:
  US12/573,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20110082472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 606/75, 606/139, 606/142, 606/219, 606/232, 227/175.1
• US Class Current: 606/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0467 Instruments for cutting sutures surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3498 Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0474 Knot pushers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0475 using sutures having a slip knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0477 with pre-tied sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2916 pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2917 with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2926 Details of heads or jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 : coded with colour
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/94 : coded with symbols, e.g. text

Abstract

A method for deploying fasteners including the steps of providing a device having a handle and at least one actuator. The handle is connected to an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends. The device has a first cartridge containing at least one fastener releasably connectable to the handle and an elongated pusher movable through the hollow housing from the distal to the proximal end for deploying the fastener from the distal end. The method includes increasing the stiffness of the pusher at a distal end thereof and advancing the pusher through the elongated housing to deploy the fasteners.

Claims

1. A method for deploying fasteners comprising:

a. providing a device comprising a handle and at least one actuator, said handle connected to an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends, a first cartridge containing at least one fastener releasably connectable to said handle, an elongated pusher movable through said hollow housing from said distal to said proximal end for deploying said fastener from said distal end;

b. increasing the stiffness of said pusher at a distal end thereof;

c. advancing said pusher through said elongated housing to deploy said fasteners.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of increasing the stiffness of said pusher comprises the step of deforming said pusher.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of increasing the stiffness of said pusher comprises the step of deforming said pusher into a V-shape.

4. A method of deploying fasteners within a body comprising the steps of:

a. providing a device comprising a handle and at least one actuator, said handle connected to an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends, and a needle within said hollow housing, a first cartridge containing at least one fastener releasably connectable to said distal end of said hollow housing, said fastener, at least partially housed within said needle, said fastener comprising at least two anchors connected together by a non-resilient flexible suture which does not resist deformation under compressible loads;

b. inserting said distal end of said hollow housing to a target site within a body

c. increasing the stiffness of said pusher at a distal end thereof;

d. attaching tissue together within the body advancing said pusher through said elongated housing to deploy said fasteners.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of increasing the stiffness of said pusher comprises the step of deforming said pusher.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of increasing the stiffness of said pusher comprises the step of deforming said pusher into a V-shape.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein said needle has a slot extending from a distal end at least partially back towards a proximal end of said needle.