Method and apparatus for delivering a shape memory article to a surgical site
First Claim
1. An apparatus for holding a shape memory article, the shape memory article comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion and adapted to be implanted into an anatomical feature with the distal portion first, the apparatus comprising:
- a body extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the body having a passage for receiving the proximal portion of the shape memory article, the passage comprising a groove on the body'"'"'s outer surface that opens transversely to the body, the passage being shaped to substantially prevent the shape memory article from deforming in accordance with its shape memory properties when the proximal portion of the shape memory article is positioned in the passage wherein the body is a unitary body and the passage formed in the unitary body is shaped and sized so that the distal portion of the shape memory article can be implanted into an anatomical feature while the shape memory article is positioned in the passage of the apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for delivering an article formed of a shape memory alloy to a surgical implantation site. The apparatus may include a body having a passage for receiving the proximal portion of the shape memory article, the passage being shaped to substantially prevent the shape memory article from deforming in accordance with its shape memory properties when the proximal portion of the shape memory article is positioned in the passage. An exemplary involves placing the distal portions of legs of a staple in at least one passage in a constraining device that substantially constrains the legs from deforming; and placing the proximal portions of the legs of the staple in at least one passage in an apparatus that, independently of the constraining device, substantially prevents the legs from deforming.
58 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An apparatus for holding a shape memory article, the shape memory article comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion and adapted to be implanted into an anatomical feature with the distal portion first, the apparatus comprising:
a body extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the body having a passage for receiving the proximal portion of the shape memory article, the passage comprising a groove on the body'"'"'s outer surface that opens transversely to the body, the passage being shaped to substantially prevent the shape memory article from deforming in accordance with its shape memory properties when the proximal portion of the shape memory article is positioned in the passage wherein the body is a unitary body and the passage formed in the unitary body is shaped and sized so that the distal portion of the shape memory article can be implanted into an anatomical feature while the shape memory article is positioned in the passage of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for holding a shape memory article, the shape memory article comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion and adapted to be implanted into an anatomical feature with the distal portion first, the apparatus comprising:
a body extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the body having a passage for receiving the proximal portion of the shape memory article, the passage comprising a groove on the body'"'"'s outer surface that opens transversely to the body, the passage being shaped to substantially prevent the shape memory article from deforming in accordance with its shape memory properties when the proximal portion of the shape memory article is positioned in the passage further comprising a cover movable on the body between a closed position in which the cover covers at least a portion of the passage so as to prevent a shape memory article positioned in the passage from being removed from the passage and a second position in which the cover does not cover the passage so that a shape memory article positioned in the passage can be removed from the passage. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for holding a shape memory article, the shape memory article comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion and adapted to be implanted into an anatomical feature with the distal portion first, the apparatus comprising:
a body extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the body having a passage for receiving the proximal portion of the shape memory article, the passage comprising a groove on the body'"'"'s outer surface that opens transversely to the body, the passage being shaped to substantially prevent the shape memory article from deforming in accordance with its shape memory properties when the proximal portion of the shape memory article is positioned in the passage, the body further comprising a ramp portion having a height that varies along its length. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method of handling a shape memory staple comprising a backspan and first and second legs, the legs having proximal portions attached to the backspan and distal portions, the method comprising:
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placing the distal portions of the legs of the staple in at least one passage in a constraining device that substantially constrains the legs from deforming; and while the distal portions of the legs of the staple are in the constraining device, placing the proximal portions of the legs of the staple in at least one passage in an apparatus that, independently of the constraining device, substantially prevents the legs from deforming; and pulling the apparatus away from the constraining device to release the distal portions of the legs of the staple from the constraining device, and to transfer the staple from the constraining device to the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of handling a shape memory staple, the shape memory staple comprising a backspan and first and second legs, the legs having proximal portions attached to the backspan and distal portions, the method comprising:
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placing the legs of the staple in at least one passage in a constraining device that substantially constrains the legs from deforming, the backspan of the staple positioned without the constraining device but adjacent a first surface of the constraining device; inserting a ramp of an apparatus between the backspan and the first surface of the constraining device to force the backspan away from the first surface of the constraining device and expose a proximal portion of the legs without the constraining device; while the distal portions of the legs of the staple are in the constraining device, placing the proximal portions of the legs of the staple in a passage in the apparatus that, independently of the constraining device, substantially prevents the legs from deforming; and pulling the apparatus away from the constraining device to release distal portions of the legs of the staple from the constraining device, and to transfer the staple from the constraining device to the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for holding a shape memory article, the shape memory article comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion and being adapted to be implanted into an anatomical feature with the distal portion first, the apparatus comprising:
a unitary body having a passage open to an outer surface of a lateral portion of the body, the passage being shaped for receiving and retaining the proximal portion of the shape memory article, the body being configured to prevent the shape memory article from deforming in accordance with its shape memory properties when the proximal portion of the shape memory article is retained in the passage.
Specification