Compressible tissue anchor assemblies
First Claim
1. A tissue anchor system for securing tissue, comprising:
- a first tissue anchor having a first proximal collar, a first distal collar, and a first biased element connected to the first proximal and first distal collars and which is adapted to urge the collars toward one another, and a first mesh surface extending between the first proximal and first distal collars;
a second tissue anchor having a second proximal collar, a second distal collar, and a second biased element connected to the second proximal and second distal collars and which is adapted to urge the collars toward one another, and a second mesh surface extending between the second proximal and second distal collars;
a length of suture passing through the first and second tissue anchors such that a terminal end of the suture is disposed distally of or attached to one of the first tissue anchor or the second tissue anchor; and
a looking mechanism slidably disposed along the length of suture at a position proximally of or attached to one of the first tissue anchor or the second tissue anchor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e.g., stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc., can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e.g., varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A tissue anchor system for securing tissue, comprising:
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a first tissue anchor having a first proximal collar, a first distal collar, and a first biased element connected to the first proximal and first distal collars and which is adapted to urge the collars toward one another, and a first mesh surface extending between the first proximal and first distal collars; a second tissue anchor having a second proximal collar, a second distal collar, and a second biased element connected to the second proximal and second distal collars and which is adapted to urge the collars toward one another, and a second mesh surface extending between the second proximal and second distal collars; a length of suture passing through the first and second tissue anchors such that a terminal end of the suture is disposed distally of or attached to one of the first tissue anchor or the second tissue anchor; and a looking mechanism slidably disposed along the length of suture at a position proximally of or attached to one of the first tissue anchor or the second tissue anchor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification