Endoscopic device with independently actuated legs

• US 20060155310A1
• Filed: 01/13/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth F. Binmoeller
• Original Assignee: Kenneth F. Binmoeller
• Inventors: Binmoeller, Kenneth F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,261,725 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/083 Clips, e.g. resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/10 for applying or removing wound clamps, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068; Wound clamp magazines containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00, B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/088 Sliding fasteners

Abstract

The present invention relates to endoscopic clips with multiple independently-controlled legs. The present invention also relates to a method for using a clip with multiple independently actuated legs. The clips and methods of the present invention may be used, for example and without limitation, for repairing tears and other defects endoscopically.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

an outer tube with a proximal end and a distal end;

a pusher tube assembly comprising an inner tube with a proximal end and a distal end and an end cap secured to said distal end of said inner tube;

a clamp collar within said distal end of said inner tube;

legs, each having a proximal end and a distal end;

a retainer located proximally to said clamp collar with slots that allow passage of said legs; and

an actuating member connected to said proximal end of said legs;

wherein each of said legs has an outwardly-oriented tab;

wherein said distal ends of said legs are located, before deployment, at said distal end of said inner tube but proximal to said clamp collar;

wherein said legs, said actuating members and said retainer reside within said inner tube; and

wherein said outer tube and said inner tube are connected to a proximal handle that may actuate each leg independently through a separate control cable connected to the proximal end of each of said actuating members of said legs.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said distal end of said legs comprises a hook having a back end.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said back end of said hook is angled outwardly within said inner tube.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said legs comprise a barbed anchoring member.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said actuating members comprise guide blocks.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said proximal handle rotates said inner tube independently of said outer tube.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said inner tube comprises a coiled stainless steel tube.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said clamp collar further comprises slots to allow passage of said legs.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said inner tube, said legs, and said actuating members are controlled by said proximal handle to interlock said legs.

10. The device of claim 1, comprising two or more legs.

11. The device of claim 1, comprising three or more legs.

12. The device of claim 1, comprising four or more legs.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein said interlocked legs are released.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein said legs comprise a weakened portion that can break and separate said legs from said device once said legs are extended from said device and in a closed and locked position.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said legs comprise a sharpened end.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said sharpened end is protected when said legs have been extended from said device and are in a closed and locked position.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein said legs comprise a spring material.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein said outer tube comprises a coil toward its distal end.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein said inner tube comprises a coil toward its distal end.

20. A method of endoscopically joining material using the device of claim 1, wherein said joining comprises:

extending a first leg from said inner tube;

engaging target material with said distal end of said first leg;

extending a second leg from said inner tube;

engaging target material with said distal end of said second leg;

drawing said legs together into an interlocked position; and

releasing said legs in said interlocked position from said device.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising repeating said extending and said engaging with additional legs as needed.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said extending is accomplished by sliding said actuating members connected to said proximal ends of said legs.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said engaging is accomplished by hooking said target material.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said engaging is accomplished by anchoring said target material.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein said drawing is accomplished by sliding said inner tube over said extended and engaged legs.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein said legs are extended and engaged sequentially.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein said legs are extended and engaged simultaneously.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein said target material comprises tissue.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein said target material surrounds a tear.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein said target material comprises tissue on alternate sides of a tear.

31. The method of claim 20, wherein said method is used to repair a tissue defect.

32. The method of claim 20, wherein said releasing step comprises applying a force to said legs through said actuating members that may break said legs at said weakened portion of said legs.