Soft tissue anchors and implantation techniques
First Claim
1. Apparatus comprising a tissue anchor, which comprises:
- a proximal head at a proximal end of the tissue anchor; and
a helical tissue-coupling element disposed about a longitudinal axis thereof, extending to the proximal head, and having a distal tissue-penetrating tip, wherein the helical tissue-coupling element includes a first helical portion and a second helical portion, wherein the second helical portion is more distal than the first helical portion,wherein the first and the second helical portions of the helical tissue-coupling element have a first axial stiffness and a second axial stiffness, respectively, andwherein the second axial stiffness is greater than the first axial stiffness, such that if excessive tension is applied to the helical tissue-coupling element, the helical tissue-coupling element generally elongates along the first helical portion before along the second helical portion, such that the first helical portion serves as a mechanical fuse that reduces force applied to the second helical portion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tissue anchor is provided that includes a proximal head at a proximal end of the tissue anchor, and a helical tissue-coupling element disposed about a longitudinal axis thereof, extending to the proximal head, and having a distal tissue-penetrating tip. The helical tissue-coupling element includes a first helical portion and a second helical portion more distal than the first axial portion. The first and the second helical portions of the helical tissue-coupling element have a first axial stiffness and a second axial stiffness, respectively. The second axial stiffness is greater than the first axial stiffness, such that if excessive tension is applied to the helical tissue-coupling element, the helical tissue-coupling element generally elongates along the first helical portion before along the second helical portion, such that the first helical portion serves as a mechanical fuse that reduces force applied to the second helical portion.
603 Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising a tissue anchor, which comprises:
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a proximal head at a proximal end of the tissue anchor; and a helical tissue-coupling element disposed about a longitudinal axis thereof, extending to the proximal head, and having a distal tissue-penetrating tip, wherein the helical tissue-coupling element includes a first helical portion and a second helical portion, wherein the second helical portion is more distal than the first helical portion, wherein the first and the second helical portions of the helical tissue-coupling element have a first axial stiffness and a second axial stiffness, respectively, and wherein the second axial stiffness is greater than the first axial stiffness, such that if excessive tension is applied to the helical tissue-coupling element, the helical tissue-coupling element generally elongates along the first helical portion before along the second helical portion, such that the first helical portion serves as a mechanical fuse that reduces force applied to the second helical portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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providing a tissue anchor, which includes a proximal head at a proximal end of the tissue anchor, and a helical tissue-coupling element disposed about a longitudinal axis thereof, extending to the proximal head, and having a distal tissue-penetrating tip, wherein the helical tissue-coupling element includes a first helical portion and a second helical portion, wherein the second helical portion is more distal than the first helical portion, wherein (a) the first and the second helical portions of the helical tissue-coupling element have a first axial stiffness and a second axial stiffness, and (b) the second axial stiffness is greater than the first axial stiffness, such that if excessive tension is applied to the helical tissue-coupling element, the helical tissue-coupling element generally elongates along the first helical portion before along the second helical portion, such that the first helical portion serves as a mechanical fuse that reduces force applied to the second helical portion; and advancing the helical tissue-coupling element into soft tissue. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification