Implant system with resonant-driven actuator

• US 8,246,533 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuvasive Specialized Orthopedics, Inc. (Nuvasive Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ellipse Technologies, Inc. (Nuvasive Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chang, Arvin, Pool, Scott, Walker, Blair, Tran, Peter P.
• Primary Examiner(s): GILBERT, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US11/760,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20080097496A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,901 Days
• Field of Search: 600 29- 31, 600/37, 128/897, 128/898, 128/DIG.25
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3474 Insufflating needles, e.g. Veress needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0649 Coils or spirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0053 remotely adjustable

Abstract

A system for securing an implantable apparatus to a mammal includes a mount including a base portion having a plurality of holes dimensioned to receive rotationally-driven fasteners, each fastener comprising a helical portion having a tip configured for tissue penetration, the mount configured to secure the implantable apparatus relative to tissue of the mammal upon driving the fasteners into the tissue. The system further includes a fastening tool configured to rotationally drive the helical portion of the fasteners into the tissue. The mount may be secured to the fascia covering the sternum via a subcutaneous securement method, or it may be attached to the intra-abdominal wall, behind the sternum, or it may be attached to the sternum directly via bone screws or the like.

Claims

1. An implant system comprising:

an actuator configured for implantation within a mammal, the actuator comprising a ratchet plate operatively coupled to a drive shaft;

a first resonant structure configured for implantation within the mammal and configured to resonate at a first natural frequency, the first resonant structure being operatively coupled to the actuator;

an external activator configured to apply energy at one or more frequencies from a location outside the mammal, wherein the application of the energy at a frequency substantially the same as the first natural frequency causes the first resonant structure to substantially resonate and to effectuate movement of the actuator;

wherein the first resonant structure comprises a pawl and wherein the pawl interfaces with ratchets disposed on the ratchet plate.

2. The implant system of claim 1, wherein the energy is vibrational energy.

3. The implant system of claim 1, wherein the energy is magnetic energy.

4. The implant system of claim 1, wherein the energy is acoustic energy.

5. The implant system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to change the shape or size of a gastrointestinal implant.

6. The implant system of claim 1, further comprising a second resonant structure configured for implantation within the mammal and configured to resonate at a second natural frequency, the second resonant structure being operatively coupled to the actuator and wherein the second resonant structure comprises a pawl and wherein the pawl interfaces with ratchets disposed on the ratchet plate.

7. The implant system of claim 6, wherein the second natural frequency is substantially different from the first natural frequency and wherein the application of the energy at a frequency substantially the same as the first natural frequency causes a change in a movement of the actuator in a first direction, and wherein the application of the energy at a frequency substantially the same as the second natural frequency causes a change in a movement of the actuator in a second direction.

8. The implant system of claim 7, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

9. The implant system of claim 6, wherein the second resonant structure comprises a magnetic element disposed thereon.

10. The implant system of claim 9, wherein the magnetic element comprises a magnet.

11. The implant system of claim 1, wherein the movement of the actuator comprises linear motion.

12. The implant system of claim 1, wherein the movement of the actuator comprises rotary motion.

13. The implant system of claim 1, wherein the movement of the actuator comprises deformation.

14. The implant system of claim 1, wherein the first resonant structure comprises a magnetic element disposed thereon.

15. The implant system of claim 14, wherein the magnetic element comprises a magnet.