Means and method for reversibly connecting a patch to a patch deployment device

• US 8,758,373 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2010
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Levin, Ofek, Levy, Arie
• Primary Examiner(s): Tyson, Melanie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scherbel, Todd J
• Application Number:
  US12/891,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20110066166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets A61B18/00 takes precedence; contraceptive devices, pessaries, or applicators therefor A61F6/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0072 Delivery tools therefor

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for reversibly coupling an implant to a deployment device.

Claims

1. A system for closing an aperture in a biological tissue, the system comprising:

a handle;

an elongate shah connected to the handle;

a deployment scaffold connected to the elongate shaft;

a plurality of attachment members rotatably connected to the deployment scaffold, wherein the plurality of attachment members are configured to releasably retain a surgical implant to a top surface of the deployment scaffold, the plurality of attachment members rotatable relative to the deployment scaffold between a retaining configuration where end portions of the plurality of attachment members configured to pierce the surgical implant are spaced from the top surface of the deployment scaffold at a first distance and a releasing configuration where the end portions of the plurality of attachment members are spaced from the top surface of the deployment scaffold at a second distance that is greater than the first distance; and

a locking mechanism that is operably linked with each of the plurality of attachment members, wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to reversibly lock the plurality of attachment members, wherein when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration, the plurality of attachment members are held in the retaining configuration and when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked configuration, the plurality of attachment members are rotatable to the releasing configuration.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the deployment scaffold comprises:

a plurality of arms that are configured to move from a retained position to at least one deployed position, wherein the plurality of attachment members are connected to the plurality of arms.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of arms are flexible.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of arms are rigid.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the number of the plurality of attachment members is independent of the number of arms.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the deployment scaffold comprises:

a frame; and

a plurality of deployment arms hingedly connected to the frame, wherein the frame is configured to move from a retained position to at least one deployed position, and the plurality of attachment members are connected to the arms.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the deployment scaffold is configured to allow for deployment of the surgical implant and retraction of the surgical implant while the surgical implant is within a patient'"'"'s body.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the deployment scaffold is configured to allow for a plurality of deployment positions.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the deployment scaffold comprises an articulating member that allows for adjustment of a position and an orientation of the surgical implant relative to the aperture in the biological tissue.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the articulating member allows for vertical flexibility of the deployment scaffold in order to press the surgical implant against the biological tissue.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the surgical implant is connected to the system in an operating room.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the surgical implant is a patch.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the patch is comprised of surgical mesh.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the elongate shaft is flexible.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the elongate shaft is rigid.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aperture in the biological tissue is an aperture in an abdominal wall.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein deployment is accomplished by linear movement of the elongate shaft with respect to the handle.

18. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a return mechanism that assists in transforming the plurality of attachment members to the retaining configuration once the surgical implant is detached from the system.