WO2002087425A2 - Agrafe chirurgicale auto-serrante pour tissus - Google Patents

Agrafe chirurgicale auto-serrante pour tissus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002087425A2
WO2002087425A2 PCT/US2002/014261 US0214261W WO02087425A2 WO 2002087425 A2 WO2002087425 A2 WO 2002087425A2 US 0214261 W US0214261 W US 0214261W WO 02087425 A2 WO02087425 A2 WO 02087425A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
clip
stopper
tissue
members
proximal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/014261
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002087425A3 (fr
WO2002087425A9 (fr
Inventor
Stephen Ainsworth
Jianhua Yang
Original Assignee
Coalescent Surgical, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/847,716 external-priority patent/US20020173803A1/en
Application filed by Coalescent Surgical, Inc. filed Critical Coalescent Surgical, Inc.
Priority to AU2002308613A priority Critical patent/AU2002308613A1/en
Publication of WO2002087425A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002087425A2/fr
Publication of WO2002087425A9 publication Critical patent/WO2002087425A9/fr
Publication of WO2002087425A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002087425A3/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/064—Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials
    • A61B17/0469—Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/11—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord
    • A61B17/122—Clamps or clips, e.g. for the umbilical cord
    • A61B17/1227—Spring clips
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord
    • A61B17/128—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord for applying or removing clamps or clips
    • A61B17/1285—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord for applying or removing clamps or clips for minimally invasive surgery
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/11—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
    • A61B2017/1107—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis for blood vessels
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/11—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
    • A61B2017/1135—End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to devices and methods for sealing tissue punctures. More specifically, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for approximating wound edges of vessel openings to affect hemostasis.
  • Minimally invasive surgery has allowed physicians to carry out many surgical procedures with less pain and disability than conventional, open surgery.
  • the surgeon makes a number of small incisions through the body wall to obtain access to the tissues requiring treatment.
  • a trocar which is a pointed, piercing device, is delivered into the body with a cannula. After the trocar pierces the abdominal or thoracic wall, it is removed and the cannula is left with one end in the body cavity, where the operation is to take place, and the other end opening to the outside.
  • a cannula has a small inside diameter, typically 5-10 millimeters, and sometimes up to as much as 20 millimeters.
  • a number of such cannulas are inserted for any given operation.
  • a viewing instrument typically including a miniature video camera or optical telescope, is inserted through one of these cannulas and a variety of surgical instruments and refractors are inserted through others.
  • the image provided by the viewing device may be displayed on a video screen or television monitor, affording the surgeon enhanced visual control over the instruments.
  • a commonly used viewing instrument is called an "endoscope,” this type of surgery is often referred to as “endoscopic surgery.”
  • endoscopic procedures are commonly referred to as laparoscopic surgery, and in the chest, as thoracoscopic surgery.
  • Abdominal procedures may take place either inside the abdominal cavity (in the intraperitoneal space) or in a space created behind the abdominal cavity (in the retroperitoneal space).
  • the retroperitoneal space is particularly useful for operations on the aorta and spine, or abdominal wall hernia.
  • Minimally invasive surgery has virtually replaced open surgical techniques for operations such as cholecystectomy and anti-reflux surgery of the esophagus and stomach. This has not occurred in either peripheral vascular surgery or cardiovascular surgery.
  • An important type of vascular surgery is to replace or bypass a diseased, occluded or injured artery.
  • Arterial replacement or bypass grafting has been performed for many years using open surgical techniques and a variety of prosthetic grafts.
  • grafts are manufactured as fabrics (often from DACRON® (polyester fibers) or TEFLON® (fluorocarbon fibers)) or are prepared as autografts (from the patient's own tissues) or heterografts (from the tissues of animals) or a combination of tissues, semi- synthetic tissues and or alloplastic materials.
  • a graft can be joined to the involved artery in a number of different positions, including end-to-end, end-to-side, and side-to-side. This attachment between artery and graft is known as an anastomosis. Constructing an arterial anastomosis is technically challenging for a surgeon in open surgical procedures, and is almost a technical impossibility using minimally invasive techniques.
  • the arteries subject to peripheral vascular and cardiovascular surgery typically range in diameter from several millimeters to several centimeters.
  • a graft is typically about the same size as the artery to which it is being attached.
  • Another factor contributing to the difficulty of such procedures is the limited time available to complete the procedure. The time the surgeon has to complete an arterial replacement or bypass graft is limited because there is no blood flowing through the artery while the procedure is being done. If blood flow is not promptly restored, sometimes in as little as thirty minutes, the tissue the artery supplies may experience significant damage, or even death (tissue necrosis).
  • arterial replacement or bypass grafting is made more difficult by the need to accurately place and space many sutures to achieve a permanent hemostatic seal. Precise placement and spacing of sutures is also required to achieve an anastomosis with long-term patency.
  • a suture has a suture needle that is attached or "swaged on" to a long, trailing suture material.
  • the needle must be precisely controlled and. accurately placed through both the graft and artery.
  • the trailing suture material must be held with proper tension to keep the graft and artery together, and must be carefully manipulated to prevent the suture material from tangling. In open surgery, these maneuvers can usually be accomplished within the necessary time frame, thus avoiding the subsequent tissue damage (or tissue death) that can result from prolonged occlusion of arterial blood flow.
  • a parachuting technique may be used to align the graft with the artery in an end-to-side anastomosis procedure.
  • One or multiple sutures are attached to the graft and artery and are used to pull or "parachute" the graft vessel into alignment with an opening formed in a sidewall of the artery.
  • a drawback to this procedure is the difficulty in preventing the suture from tangling and the time and surgical skill required to tie individual knots when using multiple sutures. Due to space requirements, this procedure is generally limited to open surgery techniques.
  • anastomoses are commonly formed in open surgery by suturing together the tissues to be joined.
  • VCS Clip Applier System published in 1995 by Auto Suture Company, a Division of U.S. Surgical Corporation.
  • a clip is applied by applying an instrument about the tissue in a nonpenetrating manner, i.e., the clip does not penetrate through the tissues, but rather is clamped down around the tissues.
  • the disclosed VCS clip applier has no means for positioning tissues.
  • the tissues Before the clip can be applied, the tissues must first be properly positioned with respect to each other, for example by skewering the tissues with a needle as discussed above in common suturing techniques or with forceps to bring the tissues together. It is extremely difficult to perform such positioning techniques in minimally invasive procedures.
  • the present invention involves apparatus and methods for connecting material, at least one of which is tissue.
  • the invention may, for example, be used to secure one vessel to another, such as in a vascular anastomosis.
  • a fastener is provided to a tissue having an opening for clipping the tissue.
  • the fastener includes two clips connected to one another, where each of the two clips has a proximal arm and a distal arm for compressing the tissue on a proximal and distal surface.
  • the proximal arm is springably movable between a restrained configuration and a released configuration.
  • the proximal arms are placed in the restrained configuration in a direction generally perpendicular to the distal arms, and return to the released configuration towards the proximal arms, providing a compressive force on the tissue.
  • a fastener is held in an open configuration by a delivery mechanism that holds and retains the fastener in an open configuration.
  • the fastener has opposable members that can be opened for insertion through a tissue piercing and can be closed to provide a compressive force at several location simultaneously.
  • Another aspect is to provide a greater closing force and/or a closing force over a greater area with a self-closing clip.
  • a fastener is provided that can be delivered to a wound site and can be used to clip tissues to promote intima-to- intima contact. Another aspect is the providing of a fastener that reduces intraluminal metallic component contact.
  • Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide clips that can be used to perform anastomosis with fewer clips that other fastener systems.
  • a tissue approximation device is provided that facilitates interrupted anastomosis without know tying and which promotes the dilation and growth of the vessel.
  • Another aspect of the invention supplies a self-closing fastener to tissue that securely anchors the fastener to the tissue with a controlled approximation force.
  • the clip is releasably retained in a holder that is connected to a piercing member. The method includes passing the holder through said piercing, seating a stopper portion of the coupled clip against said first surface, and decoupling said clip, such that said at least one terminator arms returns towards said disengaged configuration and opposes said stopper across said tissue.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective of a tissue connector assembly of the present invention
  • Figs. 2 A - 2C are perspective views showing the removal of a fastener from a holder, where Fig. 2A shows the fastener in an open configuration and stored in the holder, Fig. 2B shows the fastener in an open configuration and partially pulled out of the holder just prior to fastening, and Fig. 2C shows the fastener released from the holder and returned to the closed configuration;
  • FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view 3-3 from Fig. 2 A of the fastener and holder of the present invention
  • Figs. 4A - 4C are three alternative restraint mechanism embodiments along cross-section view 3-3;
  • Fig. 5 is a distal end view 5-5 from Fig. 2A of the fastener and holder of the present invention
  • Figs. 6A - 6B are views of an alternative tissue connector assembly of the present invention having a fastener retained by a holder integral to a piercing member, where Fig. 6A is a perspective view and Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the alternative assembly;
  • Figs. 7A - 7B show a tissue connector assembly of the present invention threaded through two tissues
  • Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the assembly threaded through the end of a graft vessel and near an opening created in a second vessel for performing an anastomosis
  • Fig. 7B is a perspective view of the vessels positioned for performing the anastomosis
  • Figs. 8 A - 8C show the placement of a fastener in a radial configuration, where Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a clip and the tissue prior to fastening, Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view after fastening, and Fig.
  • FIG. 8C shows the placement of radially arranged fasteners about the anastomosis
  • Figs. 9A - 9C show the placement of a fastener in a circumferential fastening configuration, where Fig. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a clip and the tissue prior to fastening, Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view after fastening, and Fig. 9C shows the placement of circumferentially arranged fasteners about the anastomosis;
  • Fig. 10 illustrates the action required for separating the fastener from the holder
  • Figs. 1 1A - 1 IB are views of a first alternative fastener embodiment, where Fig. 11 A is a view of the fastener in a closed configuration, and Fig. 1 IB is a view of the fastener as it clips tissue in a fastened configuration;
  • Figs. 12A - 12B are views of the fastener of a second alternative fastener embodiment, where Fig. 12A is a view of the fastener in a closed configuration, and Fig. 12B is a view of the fastener as it clips tissue in a fastened configuration;
  • Figs. 13A - 13B are views of a third alternative fastener embodiment, where Fig. 13A is a view of the fastener in a closed configuration, and Fig. 13B is a view of the fastener as it clips tissue in a fastened configuration; Fig. 14 is a view of a fourth alternative fastener embodiment in a closed configuration;
  • Fig. 15 is a view of a fifth alternative fastener embodiment in a closed configuration
  • Fig. 16 is a view of a sixth alternative fastener embodiment in a closed configuration
  • Figs. 17A-D are views of an seventh alternative fastener embodiment in a closed configuration, where Fig. 17A is a view of the fastener in a closed configuration, Fig. 17B is a view of the fastener with terminator arms restrained in an open configuration, Fig. 17C is a view of the fastener placed for clipping, and Fig. 17D is a view of the fastener in a fastened configuration; and
  • Figs. 18A-C are frontal views of a eighth alternative fastener, where Fig. 18A is a view of the fastener in a closed configuration, Fig. 18B is a view of the fastener in an open configuration as restrained with suture, and Fig. 18C is a view of the fastener restrained with a restraining clip.
  • tissue connector assembly 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention is shown and generally indicated with reference numeral 100.
  • the tissue connector assembly 100 may be used to manipulate and align tissues, or tissue and graft with respect to each other and thereafter connect the tissues together (Figs. 6 - 8).
  • graft includes any of the following: homografts, xenografts, allografts, al lop last ic materials, and combinations of the foregoing.
  • tissue connector assembly and connectors of the present invention are generally useful for attaching tissues and, as will become apparent upon reflection of the present disclosure, can be used for a variety of medical procedures or can be modified within the scope of the present invention to perform such procedures.
  • the tissue connector assembly 100 may be used as illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 in vascular surgery to replace or bypass a diseased, occluded, or injured artery by connecting a graft vessel 701 to a coronary artery 703 or vein in an anastomosis, for example.
  • the tissue connector assembly 100 may be used in open surgical procedures or in minimally invasive or endoscopic procedures for attaching tissue located in the chest, abdominal cavity, or retroperitoneal space. These examples, however, are provided for illustration and are not meant to be limiting.
  • tissue connector assembly 100 generally comprises a fastener 101 and a fastener delivery device 110.
  • Delivery device 110 includes a holder 103 that is adapted to retain fastener 101 and is attached to a penetrating member or needle 109.
  • holder 103 is attached to needle 109 through a transition piece 105 to a flexible member 107.
  • the needle 109 has a sharp pointed tip 111 at its distal end for penetrating tissue.
  • the needle 109 may be bent as shown in Fig. 1, for example.
  • the distal end of the needle 109 is preferably rigid to facilitate penetration of tissue.
  • the remaining length of the needle 109 may be rigid or flexible to facilitate movement of the needle through the tissue as further described below.
  • the tip 11 1 of the needle 109 may be conical, tapered, or grounded to attain a three or four facet tip, for example.
  • the needle 109 may be made from stainless steel or any other suitable material, such as a polymeric material. It is to be understood that the needle 109 may have a shape or radius of curvature other than the one shown, without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the needle 109 may be integrally formed with holder 103 or may be swaged, welded, threadably attached, or attached by any other suitable means to the holder.
  • flexible member 107 resists rotation about the elongated direction, permitting fastener 101 and needle 109 to have a discernable mutual orientation.
  • Tissue connector assembly 100 provides for the delivery of fastener 101 to a site in a tissue for fastening.
  • fastener 101 is releasably constrained or otherwise held in an open configuration as shown in Fig. 1 to deliver the fastener to a particular tissue site.
  • Fastener 101 has a plurality of elements that, upon delivery, compress with a clipping action tissue through which it is placed.
  • fastener 101 Prior to being placed in a tissue for fastening, fastener 101 is held in place by delivery device 1 10, or more specifically by holder 103.
  • Holder 103 provides for retaining fastener 101 with arms or a stopper 102 that protrudes away from holder 103 and has a shape useful in positioning fastener 101 against a tissue that assembly 100 is threaded through (not shown).
  • stopper 102 is generally perpendicular or transverse to the elongated direction of assembly 100 and may have portions to facilitate placing fastener 101 by curving towards holder 103, for example.
  • fastener 101 may be a self-closing fastener that is held for delivery by holder 103 to a tissue or to a layer of tissues (not shown in Fig.
  • Fastener 101 may thus include one or more self-closing, opposable elements that are held in a restrained configuration by delivery system 110, are positioned on opposite sides of a tissue, and are released from delivery device upon the proper application of force, allowing the elements to relax towards an unrestrained configuration and to opposably approach other fastener elements to compress tissue placed or caught therebetween.
  • stopper 102 which provides for positive seating of fastener 101 against a tissue
  • another important feature is the releasable holding of fastener 101 and the self-closing action that causes the fastener to assume a shape useful for compressing tissue.
  • the fastener 101 is thus held in one configuration suitable for delivering the fastener to a tissue site through an opening such as a piercing and, upon release, transform towards a second configuration suitable for compressing the tissue.
  • One embodiment of the inventive fastener uses material that can repeatably deform between the two configurations.
  • the fastener can thus be fabricated or heat treated to assume the relaxed, closed configuration, can be deformed into the open configuration, and upon delivery will conform to the closed configuration.
  • the tissue connector assembly 100 thus provides for placing a fastener 101 at the correct position within a tissue for fastening and the delivery of the fastener 101 at a tissue site, for joining tissue with opposable members, and removal of delivery device 110, specifically needle 109, flexible member 107, transition piece 105 and holder 103 from fastener 101.
  • FIG. 6A and 6B An alternative tissue connector assembly 600 is shown in Figs. 6A and 6B as a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively.
  • Assembly 600 has a fastener 601 coupled directly to a needle 609.
  • needle 609 forms a part of a delivery device 610, which further includes a fastener holding section 603 adapted to retain fastener 610.
  • Fastener 601 is a fastener of the present invention, such as fastener 101 or other fasteners as described in detail below.
  • the needle 609 has a sharp pointed tip 611 at its distal end for penetrating tissue.
  • the needle 609 may be bent as shown in Fig. 6, for example.
  • the distal end of the needle 609 is preferably rigid to facilitate penetration of tissue.
  • the remaining length of the needle 609 may be rigid or flexible to facilitate movement of the needle through the tissue as further described below.
  • the tip 611 of the needle 609 may be conical, tapered, or grounded to attain a three or four facet tip, for example.
  • the needle 609 may be made from stainless steel or any other suitable material, such as a polymeric material. It is to be understood that the needle 609 may have a shape or radius of curvature other than the one shown, without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the needle 609 may be integrally formed with holder 603 or may be swaged, welded, threadably attached, or attached by any other suitable means to the holder.
  • Fastener 101 can be delivered to a tissue site, for example, with the delivery system 100 of Fig. 1, and in particular is a self-closing fastener restrained by holder 103.
  • One particular embodiment of assembly 100 is shown with reference and without limitation, to Figs. 2, 3, and 5.
  • a fastener is constructed as a fastener 200 shown as a particular embodiment of fastener 101 or 601 , with a pair of stoppers or distal arms 210 serving the function of stopper 102 of Fig. 1.
  • Fastener 200 is constructed of a flexible material that can assume a variety of configurations, enabling it to provide a compressive force on tissue by passing the fastener though the tissue and presenting opposable arms at locations near the location through which the fastener passes.
  • Alternative fastener embodiments within the scope of the present invention are presented below and include, but are not limited to, fasteners that include one or more opposable elements, fasteners having differing number of opposable elements on opposing sides, fasteners having elements that bend to compress tissue from one or both sides, fasteners that include multiple clipping elements of differing shape, clipping forces or symmetry, and fasteners of unitary or modular construction.
  • Holder 240 is a holder 103 adapted to retain fastener 200 in an open configuration for delivery to a tissue site, and allows for release of the clip for removal of delivery device 110 to allow the fastener to revert towards a relaxed state that provides compressive forces to a tissue.
  • Alternative holder embodiments within the scope of the present invention are presented below and include, but are not limited to tubular structures, wire clip structures, and suture.
  • FIG. 2A - C show a fastener 200 held by holder 240 (as in perspective view Fig. 2A and distal end view Fig. 5), being removed from the holder (Fig. 2B) and fully removed from the holder (Fig. 2C).
  • Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view 3-3 of Fig. 2A, showing fastener 200 engaged within holder 240
  • Fig. 5 is a distal end view taken along line 5-5, also of Fig. 2A.
  • Fastener 200 comprises a pair of clips 231 and 233 each including one of the pair of stopper or distal arms 201 , and one of the pair of terminator or proximal arms 203.
  • Each of arms 201 and 203 has a free end, as in stopper or distal ends 206 and terminator or proximal ends 204, and is connected to other arms through a connecting stem 205.
  • Terminator arms 203 are, in general, flexible while stopper arms 201 may be flexible and are adapted to transfer distally directed forces through fastener 101 to the terminator arms.
  • the range of motion of terminator arms 203 are best considered in relation to Fig. 2 which shows the removal of fastener 200 from holder 240.
  • Holder 240 includes a generally cylindrical tube 207 having an inner surface 301 forming a lumen 209 at distal end 211 for accepting fastener 101.
  • Terminator arms 203 are bendable to allow a change in shape between open configuration 210 and closed configuration 220.
  • Fig. 2A shows the pair of terminator arms 203 in open configuration 210 placed within lumen 209. Terminator arms 203 lie within tube 207, while stopper arms 201 protrude radially away from holder
  • Open configuration 210 is particularly useful for delivery of fastener 200 restrained within tissue connector apparatus 100, allowing two terminator arms 203 to be inserted through a tissue opening prior to closing the fastener, as described below.
  • Fig. 2B shows a step in the removal of fastener 200 from holder 240 as indicated by the opposing arrows during which fastener 200 generally maintains open configuration 210.
  • Fig. 2C shows a relaxed configuration 220 with terminator ends 204 and stopper ends 206 opposably approaching each other to be within a distance S about a line. Terminator arms 203 can be straightened, forcing fastener 200 into an open configuration 210.
  • fastener 200 promotes the bending of terminator arms 203 and allows stopper arms 201 to resist forces in the distal direction, and allows the formation of a pair of opposable arms forming a pair of clips 231 and 233, as in Fig. 2C.
  • this clip embodiment is particularly useful for compressing tissue or any material near line L of thickness greater than S.
  • alternative clip embodiments will be presented hereafter that can be used to otherwise compress tissue between stopper arms and terminator arms over a larger or smaller area or with greater or smaller forces.
  • One particularly useful class of materials is the class of nickel titanium
  • Nitinol (nitinol) based alloys.
  • nitinol under the right conditions is superelastic and can be repeatably deformed to a greater extent than most metals.
  • the nitinol may include additional elements which affect the yield strength of the material or the temperature at which particular pseudoelastic or shape transformation characteristics occur.
  • Nitinol exhibits a phase transition between two solid phases: martensite, which is generally stable at low temperatures, and austenite, which is generally stable at high temperatures. The transformation exhibits hysteresis, and upon cooling to temperatures below the Mf temperature the martensite phase is stable, while upon heating austenite is stable at temperatures above the A f temperature.
  • the shape memory alloy exhibits pseudoelastic (superelastic) behavior when deformed. This is due to the particular mechanical properties of the various phases and the effect of phase transitions on the stress-strain curve of the alloy.
  • martensite is more deformable and less strong than austenite.
  • the application of stress can cause a phase change of austenite into martensite. As the stress is removed, the material undergoes a martensitic to austenitic conversion, and springs back to its original undeformed configuration.
  • Nitinol thus behaves "superelastically.”
  • the material exhibits a shape memory effect, in that a heat treated element having nitinol in the austenite phase can then be cooled to a temperature where at least a portion of the element includes martensite, the element can be reconfigured into a shape in which the martensite is plastically deformed, and then the element can be heated above the Af transformation temperature allowing the martensite to change phase back to austenite and causing the element to revert to the heat treated configuration.
  • one method of using a nitinol alloy as material for the inventive fasteners is to choose an alloy having a transformation temperature A f that is just below the temperature at which the fastener is to be used in a tissue, thus permitting, for example, from as a superelastic material, elastic deformation over a very wide range of shape.
  • a fastener 101 is heat treated, while maintained in what will become the "relaxed configuration" to produce a fastener that is predominantly austenite.
  • Fastener 101 is then cooled to a temperature at which at least a portion of the fastener undergoes the phase change to martensite, deformed and inserted into holder 103, and warmed to above the Af temperature.
  • fastener 101 Upon warming, fastener 101 attempts to return to the relaxed configuration, and Thus, the transition arms are forced against the interior surface of holder 103. The fastener 101 will then stay coupled to holder 103 until pulled apart as described below.
  • the fasten ⁇ r should have a transition temperature slightly below body temperature, while for procedures performed at lower temperatures, a lower transition temperature may be appropriate. For example with a stopped heart condition where cold cardioplegia has been injected for temporary paralysis of the heart tissue, a transition temperature as low as 8-10 degrees Celsius may be useful.
  • Another important aspect of the present invention is the delivery of a "self- closing" fastener that if otherwise unconstrained will, upon release, assume an relaxed configuration.
  • a self-closing fastener exhibiting some of the aspects of a self-closing fastener.
  • the fastener being formed of an elastic material and in closed configuration 220 as shown in Fig. 3, which is a cross-section taken along line 3-3 of Fig 2A.
  • the removal of fastener 200 from the remaining assembly 110 results from the interaction of the fastener and holder 240 along with applied external forces to the fastener and holder.
  • Terminator arms 203 can be manufactured from nitinol and operated slightly above the Af transition temperature, allowing use of the superelastic properties of that material and allowing for bending of fastener 200 between closed configuration 220 to open configuration 210.
  • terminator arms 203 can be constructed of an elastic material.
  • One technique for manufacturing the inventive fastener from nitinol comprises forming the fastener from nitinol wire or sheet.
  • the fastener is preferably produced from a sheet of nitinol by flat-annealing the sheet, laser-cutting or photo-etching the shape from the sheet, de-burring or polishing the fastener, and heat treating the fastener to achieve desirable superelastic properties and surface conditions.
  • the dimensions of the fastener are governed by the tissue thickness and elastic or superelastic properties of the fastener material that allow for predictable forces to be transferred to the tissue.
  • sheet thickness t can range from 0.001 to 0.125 inches, with a thickness of 0.003 to 0.015 inches being preferable.
  • the fastener can be fashioned from wire by winding the wire on a fixture or mandrel, heat treating it to set the desired shape, cutting the wire into individual components with burr-free ends, and connecting the components by welding or crimping to form a complete fastener.
  • Useful wire sizes ranges are generally below 0.010" in diameter, with diameters of 0.002" to 0.008" being particularly useful for vascular attachments.
  • Fastener 101, and fastener 200 in particular can thus include, but are not limited to, a unitary construction of a sheet of material of thickness t (as shown in Fig.
  • stopper ends 206 and terminator ends 204 approach each other to within a spacing S that is preferably less than the total thickness of tissue to be connected, for example S may be a large as 0.250 inches so that two layers of tissue each 0.180 inches can be fastened. Ends 204 and 206 are spaced a distance less than 0.250 inches apart with connecting stem 205 centrally located.
  • Terminator arms 204 can thus be straightened to fit within holder 103, having an inner diameter D of 0.005 to 0.250 inches, and preferably having a diameter of less than 0.025 inches, such as 0.007 inches.
  • the arm thickness A of the more flexible components are sized to permit the clips to transfer a useful force, while not overstressing the material on transitioning from an open to a closed configuration. Values of A greater than 0.002" provide a thickness that is both flexible and provides a useful compressive force.
  • the open configuration 210 includes terminator arms 203 brought together by application of a pair of forces F on terminator ends 204 that pull the ends towards one another as shown in Fig. 3.
  • Fastener 200 is thus under stress due to the deformation of terminator arms 203 from the closed configuration 220.
  • Terminator ends 204 contact inner surface 208 at contact points 301, generating a force F at contact points 301 depending on the shape of inner surface 208 and the shape and state of fastener 200.
  • the removal of fastener 200 from the remaining assembly 110 results from the interaction of fastener and holder 240 along with applied external forces to the fastener and holder.
  • the force required to extract fastener 200 from holder 240 is approximately constant.
  • a frictional force will resist the release of the fastener due to the motion shown as the arrows in Fig 2B.
  • the amount of friction can be controlled by modifying the inner surface, for example by having rough or smooth portions, or by contouring the surface.
  • the fastener attempts to provide a force against the tissue that aids in sealing or healing of a tissue wound other tissue opening, or is otherwise useful for connecting attempts to assume or approaches a relaxed configuration.
  • tissue connector assembly 600 as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B.
  • fastener 601 could be fastener 200 or other appropriately adapted fastener of the present invention, while fastener holding section 603 could be holder 240 or an equivalent.
  • Fastener 600 is threaded through a tissue, as described previously, and when stopper 602 seat against a tissue, the fastener is released as previously described.
  • the purpose of the tissue connector assembly is, in part, to deliver fastener 101 through aligned tissue piercings such that the fastener passes through one tissue opening and applies compression to points distanced from the piercing.
  • a fastener 101 embodiment such as fastener 200
  • this entails placing the fastener such that closed configuration 220 is placed with connecting stem 205 through a piercing of one tissue or two or more stacked tissues, while compressing the tissue at points near one or more of the end of terminator ends 204 and stopper ends 206.
  • Two particular methods for using tissue connector assembly 100 and similar assemblies to deliver fastener 101 will now be presented to illustrate providing fastener to a tissue site.
  • inventive tissue connector assembly 100 As a specific example of the use the inventive tissue connector assembly 100, consider the use of two specific tissue assemblies 800 and 900 as shown in Fig. 8a and 9a for connecting two tissues in a surgical procedure.
  • the general differences between assemblies 100, 800, and 900 involve the orientation of needle 109 to fastener 101.
  • the fastener 101 is fastener 200.
  • assembly 100 there is no specific orientation between the curvature of needle 109 and the orientation of stopper arms 201.
  • flexible member 107 resists rotation about the elongated axis of the member to permit more precise positioning of the fastener with relation to the edges 705 and 707, and allowing specific types of attachments to be performed.
  • the use of the inventive fastener though assemblies 100, 800, or 900 as described below provides intima-to-intima contact with a self-closing fastener in one movement and without the need to tie sutures.
  • assemblies 100, 800, or 900 to perform an anastomosis of a graft vessel 701 onto an artery 703 as shown prior to connecting tissue in Fig. 7A.
  • the edge 707 of graft vessel 701 is attached to the wall artery 703 about a surgically provided arterial wall opening 705.
  • the tissue connector assembly 101 may be used in open surgical procedures or in minimally invasive or endoscopic procedures for attaching tissue located in the chest, abdominal cavity, or retroperitoneal space.
  • the surgical technique of anastomosis includes cutting artery wall to produce an opening 705, and connecting edge 707 along or near the opening 705.
  • the placement of tissue for attachment is illustrated in the sequence of Figures 7A - 7B and 8A - 8C, where the assembly 800 is used to place fasteners aligned perpendicular to the line of attachment and thus radial with respect to graft vessel 701, is shown in the attached vessels of Fig. 8C.
  • FIG. 7A shows a tissue connector assembly such as any one of assemblies 100, 800, or 900 threaded through graft 701 and artery 703, where needle 109 has been threaded through a first piercing 709 from the outside to the inside of graft 701, through opening 705, and through a second piercing 711 from the inside to the outside of artery 703.
  • Fig. 7B shows the graft 701 placed onto artery 703.
  • multiple tissue connector assemblies 101 can be placed about edge 707 and opening 705 in a procedure such as "parachuting" to provide more positive placement of the fasteners. In parachuting, the threading order is as in Fig.
  • Tissue connector assembly 800 is next pulled through piercings 709 and 711 to place the fastener radially as shown in Fig. 8 A.
  • the two stopper arms 201 are differentiated as inner stopper arm 201 A and outer stopper arm 20 IB.
  • the orientation of curved needle 109 away from graft 701 radially aligns fastener 200.
  • fastener 200 is positioned so that inner stopper arm 201 A is radially aligned towards the center of graft 701, and the end of the outer stopper arm 20 IB is positioned radially away from graft 701, for example, beyond the edge of opening 705 and edge 707.
  • a longitudinal force is applied to separate the fastener from holder 240 as shown in Fig. 2B.
  • One method for applying the required longitudinal force is to pull holder 240, flexible member 107 or needle 109 with fastener 200 seated against artery 703. This creates a countertension between fastener 200 and holder 240 that allows the fastener to slide out of the holder.
  • An alternative method for affecting separtion of fastener 200 and holder 240 is to provide an added force by placing the tips of a pair of pliers or other handy surgical implements on the opposite side of the tissue and against the fastener as illustrated in Fig. 10. With the holder 240 removed, fastener 200 tends towards closed configuration 220, or specifically towards fastened configuration 230 as shown in Fig. 8B. Inner stopper arm 201 A approaches the corresponding one of terminator arms 203, compressing a tissue portion 805 therebetween with intima-to-intima contact. The resulting force from tissue contacts causes the fastened configuration to be slightly more open then closed configuration 220 may include the bending of stopper arms 201 from the closed configuration.
  • the stopper pair of arms 20 IB may or may not compress tissue (they are shown in Fig. 8B as meeting past the tissue edges and thus not compressing tissue).
  • the clip is additionally anchored by central portion 205 passing through piercings 709 and 71 1.
  • Multiple clips 101 or dual clips 200 or other types of self-closing clips can likewise be placed to form a series of intima-to-intima contacts about the periphery of the anastomosis.
  • FIG. 7A An alternative method for attaching tissue is illustrated in the sequence of Figures 7A - 7B and 9A - 9C, where the clips are aligned parallel to the line of attachment, and thus circumferentially about the anastomosis, as shown in the attached vessels of Fig. 9C.
  • the circumferential placement of a clip begins as shown in Fig. 7A with tissue connector assembly 900 threaded through graft 701 and artery 703, with needle 109 threaded through a first piercing 709 from the outside to the inside of graft 701 , through opening 705, and through a second piercing 711 from the inside to the outside of artery 703, and
  • Fig. 7B shows the graft 701 placed onto artery 703.
  • Tissue connector assembly 900 is next pulled through piercings 709 and 71 1 to place the clip radially as shown in Fig. 9A.
  • fastener 200 is placed circumferentially on the anastomosis.
  • the two stopper arms 201 are circumferentially placed approximately the same distance from edge 707.
  • the vessels are each partially everted until graft intima 801 contacts artery intima 803, as shown in Fig. 9A.
  • a longitudinal force is applied to separate the clip from holder 240, as shown in Fig. 2B.
  • the force may either be applied by pulling on the holder 240 or attached components or by applying additional force, as through pliers, as described hereinbefore.
  • fastener 200 tends toward closed configuration 220 and assumes fastened configuration 232 as shown in Fig. 9B.
  • the forces on the closed clip are not those of the relaxed or closed clip 220, and thus one or more arms may be deformed outwards from the relaxed configuration.
  • terminator arms 201 approach corresponding proximal arms 203, compressing tissue portions 807 and 809 therebetween with intima-to-intima contact.
  • the clip is additionally anchored and located by connecting stem 205 passing through piercings 709 and 711.
  • Multiple clips 101 or dual clips 200 can likewise be placed to form a series of intima-to-intima contacts about the periphery of the anastomosis as shown in Fig. 9C.
  • the circumferential placement as shown in Fig. 9C, and the radial placement as shown in Fig. 8C both have advantages for attaching tissue.
  • the circumferential placement for example, provides two compression points with a single piercing of the two tissues, and thus minimizes the number of clips needed for an anastomosis.
  • the radial placement minimizes the intraluminal exposure of the clip to the interior of the vessels and may have better intima-to-intima contact.
  • the radial and circumferential placement may be combined on an anastomosis to take advantage of the various orientations.
  • radial placement could be used at the toe of the anastomotic attachment for added strength, while circumferential placement could be used on the sides to minimize the number of fasteners.
  • Alternative Clip Embodiments could be used at the toe of the anastomotic attachment for added strength, while circumferential placement could be used on the sides to minimize the number of fasteners.
  • FIGs. 1 1 A- 1 IB are perspective views of a first alternative fastener embodiment, fastener 1100, where Fig. 1 1A is a view of the fastener in a closed configuration 1120, and Fig. 1 IB is a view of the fastener as it clips tissue in a fastened configuration 1 130, which is the configuration assumed after insertion into a pair of tissues Tl and T2.
  • fastener 1110 includes a first clip 231 and a second clip 233.
  • Each of clip 231 and 233 has a pair of stopper arms 1101 for seating against tissue and a pair of terminator arms 1103 for bending into holder 103. While the embodiment of Fig. 2 provides compression across opposing ends 204 and 206, many of the alternative embodiments provide compression between ends and opposing arms or between opposing arms. These variations in design allow for tailoring fasteners to produce different amounts of compression or to distribute the compression differently over the tissue.
  • FIG. 11A The first alternative embodiment of a fastener 1 100 is shown in Figs. 11A
  • terminator arms 1103 are similar to arms 203 and apply a terminator ends
  • Dual clip 1101 thus, presents surface 1102 to tissue Tl with connecting stem
  • Terminator arms 1103 present terminator ends 1104 against tissue T2. Tissues Tl and T2 are compressed between terminator ends 1104 and a compression portion 1107 of stopper arms 1101.
  • the second alternative embodiment of a fastener 1200 is shown in Figs.
  • Dual fastener 1200 has stopper ends 1206 that more closely approach terminator edge 1211 than terminator ends 1204. This configuration provides a higher compressive force than does the fastener 200 by having a closed configuration 220C that traps tissue Tl and T2 more tightly between the stopper arms 1201 and terminator arms 1203.
  • FIG. 13 A The third alternative embodiment of a fastener 1300 is shown in Figs. 13 A
  • Fig. 13A is a view of the fastener in a closed configuration 1320
  • Fig. 13B is a view of the fastener as it clips tissue in a fastened configuration 1330.
  • Dual fastener 1300 has a circular stopper 1306 and a circular shaped pair of terminator arms 1303.
  • fastened configuration 1330 provides compression over a greater area than either of the previously described clips by compressing tissues Tl and T2 between nearly the entire presented arms of the terminator and stopper arms.
  • FIG. 14 A fourth alternative embodiment of a fastener 1400 is shown in Fig. 14 in a closed configuration 1420.
  • Fastener 1400 and the following embodiments differ from the previously described embodiments in that the clips 231 and 233 are attached by a cross member 1410, which bridges distal arms 1401, as opposed to the embodiment of Fig. 2, for example, in which clips 231 and 233 have a common connecting stem 205. Since connecting stem 205 structurally transfers the forces of both clips 231 and 233 in embodiments having a connecting stem, the stresses in stem 205 include the stress associated with each of the clips.
  • the use of a cross member 1410 isolates the stress in each of clips 231 and 233, allowing for greater unyielding displacements of individual clips 231 and 233.
  • clips 231 and 233 apply forces asymmetrically. Specifically, proximal ends 1403' and 1403" differ in length, with distal end 1404' of clip 231 extending more distally than does proximal end 1404" of clip 233. Clip 231 of the fourth embodiment 1400 is thus configured to compress a greater surface are of tissue (not shown) or to provide a greater tissue compressive force.
  • FIG. 15 A fifth alternative embodiment of a fastener 1500 is shown in Fig. 15 in a closed configuration 1502.
  • Fastener 1500 is similar to fastener 1300, with the substitution of a cross member 1510 for connecting stem 1305 and asymmetric proximal arms 1503' and 1503", allowing clip 231 of fastener 1500 to provide a greater compressive force than clip 233 of fastener 1500.
  • FIG. 16 A sixth alternative embodiment of a fastener 1600 is shown in Fig. 16 in closed configuration 1620.
  • Fastener 1600 has enlarged distal arms 1601 joined by cross member 1610 and having wrap-around proximal arms 1603, providing for greater tissue contact than is possible with many of the previous designs.
  • FIG. 17A is a view of the fastener in a closed configuration 1720
  • Fig. 17B is a view of the fastener in an open configuration 1710
  • Fig. 17C is a view of the fastener placed for fastening
  • Fig. 17D is a view of the fastener in a fastened configuration 1730.
  • Fig. 17A shows the distal arms 1701 and proximal arms 1703 attached with cross member 1710 and forming the two clips 231 and 233 of fastener 1700.
  • fastener 1700 has both proximal arms 1703 and distal arms 1701 in closed configuration 1720 protruding proximally. As discussed below, this configuration of arms allows both the proximal and distal arms to act as springs to provide greater compression to tissue Tl and T2.
  • Fig. 17B shows fastener 1700 in open configuration 1710. As in the previous embodiments, proximal arms 1703 are straightened and held in place by a holder 1740. Distal arms 1701 curve back towards holder 1740, presenting most proximally surfaces 1750.
  • Fig. 17C shows fastener 1700 in open configuration 1710 as placed through piercing P in tissues Tl and T2.
  • Proximal arms 1703 are led through piercing P by holder 1740, while surfaces 1750 contact tissue T2. As fastener 1700 is further pulled through piercing P, distal arms 1701 compress against tissue T2, and as proximal arms 1703 are released from holder 1740, the proximal arms spring back towards Tl , assuming fastened configuration 1730 of Fig. 17D.
  • fastener 1700 can be configured to clip tissues of nearly any thickness, since the unrestrained arms attempt to assume closed configuration 1720. Since the fastened configuration 1730 and closed configuration 1720 have reversed longitudinal placement of the distal arms 1701 and proximal arms 1703, the arms can oppose one another and clip tissue of nearly any thickness.
  • the inventive clip may have more than two pairs of stopper and terminator arms, for example, three or more pairs of arms arranged about one or more centrally located connecting stems, or the stopper end could be a disc shape, radially protruding member that presents half of the opposable arm configuration to the tissue.
  • Other embodiments within the scope of the present invention include fasteners that, when viewed from the proximal or distal ends, include clips that are not arranged symmetrically.
  • a fastener when viewed from the end, as in Fig. 5 could have a 90 degree angle between the planes formed by arms of clips 231 and 233.
  • FIG. 4 A - 4C Three alternative holders 103 are shown in Figs. 4 A - 4C where the force F, and thus, the frictional force for removal, are altered by changing the inner surface 208.
  • the embodiment of Fig. 3 has a constant diameter inner cylindrical surface 208, resulting in a constant force for extracting fastener 101 after the initial static frictional force is overcome.
  • the alternative embodiments of Fig. 4 have the inner surface 208 modified to change the force required to extract fastener 101. The change in force with extraction has implications on how easy it is to seat the fastener without it being accidentally actuated and on the "feel" of the use of the fastener.
  • Protrusion 401 provides an added barrier to the removal of fastener 101. If the friction coefficient of surface 208A were constant, for example, then a constant force would be required to axially slide fastener 101 to the distal holder end 211. Pulling fastener 101 over protrusion 401 requires further bending of proximal arm 203, resulting in a higher normal force. An increased normal force results in a higher frictional force, and thus the extraction of fastener 101 from the end of holder 103B requires a slightly higher force.
  • the second alternative holder embodiment of Fig. 4B has an generally cylindrical inner surface 208B with a inner protrusion 402 positioned to positively seat the fastener in the fully retained position of Fig. 2A.
  • a higher force is required to initiate the ejection of fastener 101 from holder 103, followed by a constant force.
  • the third alternative holder embodiment of Fig.4C has a force requirement similar to the second alternative embodiment.
  • inner surface 208C has recess 403 for retaining terminator ends 204. Upon initiating extracting fastener 101, terminator ends 204 first move inwards and are then held at a constant diameter.
  • the modification of the inner surface 208 by changes in contour or friction coefficient by a variety of means would be obvious to those in the art, and could include bumps, ridges, changes in surface finish, and could include multiple devices to modify the friction of fastener 101 as it is pulled from holder 103.
  • Fig. 18A shows a fastener 1700' in closed configuration 1720', which is fastener 1700 modified with the addition of notches 1801 near the ends of proximal arms 1703'.
  • Fig. 18B shows fastener 1700' with a length of suture 1840A wrapped about proximal arms 1703' and through notches 1801 to restrain the fastener. Holder 1840 A can be released by cutting the suture, for example.
  • Fig. 18C shows fastener 1700' restrained by a holder clip 1840B which fits into notches 1801 and has a hole or ring 1841 through which suture 107 can be attached to form a tissue connector apparatus 100.
  • Additional alternative holder embodiments include, but are not limited to a holder that is radially flexible, where the flexing of the holder causes a change in inner surface shape the ejects the clip from the holder and a holder in the form of an open structure that retains the terminator ends in a detent structure, a holder that is in the shape of a clip that retains the proximal arms, and a holder formed of suture by wrapping the suture about the proximal arms and is released upon cutting the suture.
  • release mechanisms could be incorporated into holder 103 for holding and releasing fastener 101 , and the clip geometry and/or surface condition may interact with the holder to either restrain the clip or provide a "feel" back to the user of the state of the fastener with respect to the holder.

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  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
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Abstract

La présente invention concerne une agrafe auto-serrante comprenant une pince se passant par une ouverture dans le tissu. Cette agrafe est conçue pour être maintenue par un mécanisme en configuration ouverte pour passer par le tissu, puis pour se détacher du mécanisme de retenue, ce qui permet à l'agrafe de rester dans le tissu sous une corme lui faisant serrer au moins deux points du tissu. L'agrafe et les outils de pose conviennent particulièrement pour le rapprochement des tissu, notamment pour l'anastomose. Dans l'utilisation en anastomose, les agrafes de l'invention permettent un contact d'intima à intima avec un minimum de dégagement intraluminal.
PCT/US2002/014261 2001-05-01 2002-05-01 Agrafe chirurgicale auto-serrante pour tissus WO2002087425A2 (fr)

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AU2002308613A AU2002308613A1 (en) 2001-05-01 2002-05-01 Self-closing surgical clip for tissue

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US09/847,716 2001-05-01
US09/847,716 US20020173803A1 (en) 2001-05-01 2001-05-01 Self-closing surgical clip for tissue
US09/847,947 2001-05-02
US09/847,947 US6913607B2 (en) 2001-05-01 2001-05-02 Self-closing surgical clip for tissue

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EP1496806A2 (fr) * 2002-04-22 2005-01-19 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Pince chirurgicale endoscopique
US8317808B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2012-11-27 Covidien Lp Device and method for rolling and inserting a prosthetic patch into a body cavity
US8518060B2 (en) 2009-04-09 2013-08-27 Medtronic, Inc. Medical clip with radial tines, system and method of using same
US8668704B2 (en) 2009-04-24 2014-03-11 Medtronic, Inc. Medical clip with tines, system and method of using same
US8753359B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2014-06-17 Covidien Lp Device and method for deploying and attaching an implant to a biological tissue
US8758373B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2014-06-24 Covidien Lp Means and method for reversibly connecting a patch to a patch deployment device
US8808314B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2014-08-19 Covidien Lp Device and method for deploying and attaching an implant to a biological tissue
US8888811B2 (en) 2008-10-20 2014-11-18 Covidien Lp Device and method for attaching an implant to biological tissue
US8906045B2 (en) 2009-08-17 2014-12-09 Covidien Lp Articulating patch deployment device and method of use
US9034002B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2015-05-19 Covidien Lp Lock bar spring and clip for implant deployment device
US9044235B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2015-06-02 Covidien Lp Magnetic clip for implant deployment device
US9375218B2 (en) 2006-05-03 2016-06-28 Datascope Corp. Systems and methods of tissue closure
US9398944B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2016-07-26 Covidien Lp Lock bar spring and clip for implant deployment device
US9833240B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2017-12-05 Covidien Lp Lock bar spring and clip for implant deployment device
US9999424B2 (en) 2009-08-17 2018-06-19 Covidien Lp Means and method for reversibly connecting an implant to a deployment device
US10159554B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2018-12-25 Covidien Lp Clip for implant deployment device
US10182898B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2019-01-22 Covidien Lp Clip for implant deployment device
US10485545B2 (en) 2013-11-19 2019-11-26 Datascope Corp. Fastener applicator with interlock
US11653928B2 (en) 2018-03-28 2023-05-23 Datascope Corp. Device for atrial appendage exclusion

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Cited By (27)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1496806A2 (fr) * 2002-04-22 2005-01-19 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Pince chirurgicale endoscopique
EP1496806A4 (fr) * 2002-04-22 2009-07-15 Tyco Healthcare Pince chirurgicale endoscopique
US11992211B2 (en) 2006-05-03 2024-05-28 Datascope Corp. Systems and methods of tissue closure
US11369374B2 (en) 2006-05-03 2022-06-28 Datascope Corp. Systems and methods of tissue closure
US10595861B2 (en) 2006-05-03 2020-03-24 Datascope Corp. Systems and methods of tissue closure
US9375218B2 (en) 2006-05-03 2016-06-28 Datascope Corp. Systems and methods of tissue closure
US9044235B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2015-06-02 Covidien Lp Magnetic clip for implant deployment device
US10695155B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2020-06-30 Covidien Lp Device and method for deploying and attaching an implant to a biological tissue
US8317808B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2012-11-27 Covidien Lp Device and method for rolling and inserting a prosthetic patch into a body cavity
US8808314B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2014-08-19 Covidien Lp Device and method for deploying and attaching an implant to a biological tissue
US9005241B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2015-04-14 Covidien Lp Means and method for reversibly connecting a patch to a patch deployment device
US9034002B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2015-05-19 Covidien Lp Lock bar spring and clip for implant deployment device
US8758373B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2014-06-24 Covidien Lp Means and method for reversibly connecting a patch to a patch deployment device
US9107726B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2015-08-18 Covidien Lp Device and method for deploying and attaching an implant to a biological tissue
US8753359B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2014-06-17 Covidien Lp Device and method for deploying and attaching an implant to a biological tissue
US9398944B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2016-07-26 Covidien Lp Lock bar spring and clip for implant deployment device
US9833240B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2017-12-05 Covidien Lp Lock bar spring and clip for implant deployment device
US10182898B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2019-01-22 Covidien Lp Clip for implant deployment device
US10159554B2 (en) 2008-02-18 2018-12-25 Covidien Lp Clip for implant deployment device
US8888811B2 (en) 2008-10-20 2014-11-18 Covidien Lp Device and method for attaching an implant to biological tissue
US8518060B2 (en) 2009-04-09 2013-08-27 Medtronic, Inc. Medical clip with radial tines, system and method of using same
US8668704B2 (en) 2009-04-24 2014-03-11 Medtronic, Inc. Medical clip with tines, system and method of using same
US9999424B2 (en) 2009-08-17 2018-06-19 Covidien Lp Means and method for reversibly connecting an implant to a deployment device
US8906045B2 (en) 2009-08-17 2014-12-09 Covidien Lp Articulating patch deployment device and method of use
US10485545B2 (en) 2013-11-19 2019-11-26 Datascope Corp. Fastener applicator with interlock
US11564689B2 (en) 2013-11-19 2023-01-31 Datascope Corp. Fastener applicator with interlock
US11653928B2 (en) 2018-03-28 2023-05-23 Datascope Corp. Device for atrial appendage exclusion

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