Soft tissue depth-finding tool
First Claim
1. Apparatus comprising:
- a tissue anchor, which (a) comprises a helical tissue-coupling element which has a distal tissue-penetrating tip at a distal end of the tissue anchor, and which is configured to be advanced into soft tissue, and (b) is shaped so as to define a longitudinal channel extending from a proximal end of the anchor to the distal end of the tissue anchor; and
a depth-finding tool, which comprises;
a radiopaque bead, which is shaped so as to define a hole therethrough, and which is positioned within the channel and is axially moveable along the channel so as to serve as a marker indicating a depth of penetration of the tissue-coupling element into the soft tissue; and
a shaft that is removably positioned within the channel, such that the shaft passes through the hole of the radiopaque bead, and such that the radiopaque bead is axially moveable along the shaft and along the channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus is provided that includes a tissue anchor, which (a) includes a helical tissue-coupling element which has a distal tissue-penetrating tip at a distal end of the tissue anchor, and is configured to be advanced into soft tissue, and (b) is shaped so as to define a longitudinal channel extending to the distal end of the tissue anchor. The apparatus further includes (a) a depth-finding tool, which includes a radiopaque bead, which is shaped so as to define a hole therethrough, and which is positioned within and axially moveable along the channel so as to serve as a marker indicating a depth of penetration of the tissue-coupling element into the soft tissue, and (b) and a shaft that is removably positioned within the channel, such that the shaft passes through the hole of the bead, and such that the bead is axially moveable along the shaft and along the channel.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a tissue anchor, which (a) comprises a helical tissue-coupling element which has a distal tissue-penetrating tip at a distal end of the tissue anchor, and which is configured to be advanced into soft tissue, and (b) is shaped so as to define a longitudinal channel extending from a proximal end of the anchor to the distal end of the tissue anchor; and a depth-finding tool, which comprises; a radiopaque bead, which is shaped so as to define a hole therethrough, and which is positioned within the channel and is axially moveable along the channel so as to serve as a marker indicating a depth of penetration of the tissue-coupling element into the soft tissue; and a shaft that is removably positioned within the channel, such that the shaft passes through the hole of the radiopaque bead, and such that the radiopaque bead is axially moveable along the shaft and along the channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method comprising:
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providing a tissue anchor, which (a) includes a helical tissue-coupling element which has a distal tissue-penetrating tip at a distal end of the tissue anchor, and which is configured to be advanced into soft tissue, and (b) is shaped so as to define a longitudinal channel extending from a proximal end of the anchor to the distal end of the tissue anchor; providing a depth-finding tool, which includes (a) a radiopaque bead, which is shaped so as to define a hole therethrough, and is axially moveable along the channel so as to serve as a marker indicating a depth of penetration of the tissue- coupling element into the soft tissue, and (b) a shaft that is removably positioned within the channel, such that the shaft passes through the hole of the radiopaque bead, and such that the radiopaque bead is axially moveable along the shaft and along the channel; advancing the helical tissue-coupling element into the soft tissue, such that the radiopaque bead comes into contact with and remains at a surface of the soft tissue so as to serve as a marker indicating the depth of penetration of the tissue- coupling element into the soft tissue; and proximally withdrawing the shaft from the channel, leaving the radiopaque bead in the channel. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification