Method for deploying a device for gastric volume reduction

• US 8,496,684 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Crainich, Lawrence, Zeiner, Mark S., Stokes, Michael J., Alesi, Daniel, Harris, Jason L.
• Primary Examiner(s): TYSON, MELANIE RUANO
• Application Number:
  US11/930,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20090112232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,099 Days
• Field of Search: 606142-150, 606/232, 623/23.72, 2271751-1821
• US Class Current: 606/232
• 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 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00278 Transorgan operations, e.g. transgastric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• 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 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0475 using sutures having a slip knot
• 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: A61F 5/0086 using clamps, folding means or the like

Abstract

A method for approximating tissue within a body including the step of providing a device having a handle, at least one actuator, an elongated hollow housing having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending therefrom, a first and second cartridge. Each the cartridge contains at least one fastener having at least two anchors connected together by a non-resilient flexible suture which does not resist deformation under compressible loads. The first cartridge being releasably connected to the distal end of hollow housing. The method also includes the step of inserting the first cartridge into a body and deploying each anchor into tissue in a spaced apart position. The method also involves moving the anchors adjacent one another by moving the suture in a proximal direction, and removing the first cartridge from the body and from the housing. The method then involves placing the second cartridge onto the housing thereby replacing the first cartridge with the second cartridge.

Claims

1. A method for approximating tissue within a body, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a device comprising a handle, at least one actuator, an elongated hollow housing having a proximal end attached to said handle and a distal end extending therefrom, a first and second cartridge, each said cartridge containing at least one fastener comprises at least two anchors connected together by a non-resilient flexible suture which does not resist deformation under compressible loads, said first cartridge being releasably connected to said distal end of said hollow housing;

b. inserting said distal end of said housing and said first cartridge into a body while keeping said flexible suture within said cartridge, and deploying each anchor into tissue in a spaced apart position;

c. moving said anchors adjacent one another by moving said suture in a proximal direction;

d. removing said first cartridge from said body, and removing said first cartridge from said housing, and placing said second cartridge onto said housing thereby replacing said first cartridge with said second cartridge.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of:

inserting said second cartridge into a body and deploying each anchor into tissue in a spaced apart position, and moving said anchors adjacent one another by moving said suture in a proximal direction.

3. The method of claim 1 further including the step of securing said anchors adjacent one another.

4. The method of claim 3, further including the step of cutting said suture after the step of securing said anchors adjacent one another.