Patent US5183663A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US20040167573A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Extremely long wire fasteners for use in minimally invasive surgery and means and methods for handling those fasteners
Assignee: CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGIES LLC
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Filing: 2004-02-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2024-02-25
Abstract
Abstract Wire fasteners having legs with lengths that can be one hundred times the width of the fastener are used to secure items, such as prosthesis valves to a patient during minimally invasive surgery. The fasteners are manipulated into position and then are immobilized by means of the legs thereof for tensioning, cutting and forming in situ. The fasteners are manipulated, tensioned and formed from the leg end of the fasteners. Tools for initially placing the fasteners and for immobilizing, tensioning, cutting and bending the fastener legs are disclosed. Once the fasteners are initially placed, the prosthesis is placed on the long legs of the placed fasteners and is guided into position on the legs. Once the prosthesis is in position, the legs of the fasteners are immobilized, tensioned, cut and bent into staple-like shapes to secure the prosthesis to the patient. A method for carrying out the procedure using the long fastener is also disclosed. Using the teaching of the present disclosure, a surgeon can customize a fastener to the particular surgery or even to the particular portion of surgery being performed during the surgery.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren Williamson
- 👤 Paul Spence
- 👤 George Keller
- 👤 Cecil Robinson
- 👤 Thomas Ward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2427; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/064; A61B17/0644; A61B17/068; A61B17/0682; A61B17/0684; A61B17/072; A61F2/2409; A61B17/0401; A61B17/0467; A61B17/0487; A61B17/11; A61B17/115; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/0406; A61B2017/0446; A61B2017/0458; A61B2017/0464; A61B2017/047; A61B2017/0641; A61B2017/07214; A61B2017/0725; A61B2017/07271; A61B17/34; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/3484; A61B2017/3486; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3937; A61B2090/395
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 73
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
1 ) A fastener for use in surgery comprising: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base to said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base and being defined by cutting the leg; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
1 ) A fastener for use in surgery comprising: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base to said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base and being defined by cutting the leg; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
2 ) A fastener for use in surgery comprising: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base toward said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
2 ) A fastener for use in surgery comprising: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base toward said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
3 ) A fastener for use in surgery comprising: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base, said leg having a pointed end and a length measured from said base, said length being indeterminate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
3 ) A fastener for use in surgery comprising: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base, said leg having a pointed end and a length measured from said base, said length being indeterminate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
4 ) The fastener defined in claim 3 wherein said base has a width dimension and the length dimension of said leg is more than five times said width dimension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
5 ) A wire fastener for use in minimally invasive surgery comprising: a U-shaped body having a base and two legs extending from said crown; said body having a width dimension measured from one leg to the other; each leg having a pointed end and a length dimension measured from said base to the pointed end thereof; the length dimension of each leg being greater than said width dimension by a factor of five or more.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
5 ) A wire fastener for use in minimally invasive surgery comprising: a U-shaped body having a base and two legs extending from said crown; said body having a width dimension measured from one leg to the other; each leg having a pointed end and a length dimension measured from said base to the pointed end thereof; the length dimension of each leg being greater than said width dimension by a factor of five or more.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
6 ) A fastener for use in minimally invasive surgery comprising: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base to said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base and being defined by cutting the leg; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
6 ) A fastener for use in minimally invasive surgery comprising: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base to said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base and being defined by cutting the leg; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
7 ) The fastener defined in claim 5 , wherein the length dimension of said leg is greater than said width dimension by a factor of ten or more.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
8 ) The fastener defined in claim 5 , wherein the length dimension of said leg is greater than said width dimension by a factor of one hundred or more.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
9 ) The fastener defined in claim 6 where the unformed length is long enough to locate the pointed end of said leg outside a patient when said base is in place inside the patient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
10 ) The fastener defined in claim 6 further including means for cutting the leg and for bending the cut leg so the end of said cut leg form a retaining feature, said means engaging the leg.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
11 ) The fastener defined in claim 9 wherein said means engages the leg on one side of the tissue with the base of said fastener being located on another side of the tissue whereby the tissue is located between said leg end and the base of said fastener.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
12 ) The fastener defined in claim 6 wherein said leg is J-shaped adjacent to said base.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
13 ) The fastener defined in claim 6 wherein said pointed end includes a needle tip swaged on said pointed end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
14 ) The fastener defined in claim 6 wherein said fastener includes two legs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
15 ) The fastener defined in claim 6 in which the base of said fastener includes an arcuate perimeter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
16 ) The fastener defined in claim 6 wherein the width is the longest dimension of the base of said fastener.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
17 ) The fastener defined in claim 6 in which said fastener is formed of composite materials.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
18 ) The fastener defined in claim 6 in which said leg is one material and said base is a different material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
19 ) The fastener defined in claim 18 in which said one material includes suture material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
20 ) The fastener defined in claim 19 in which said base is hollow.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
131 words
21 ) A method of placing a fastener in a patient during surgery comprising: providing a fastener for use in surgery having a body having a base and a leg extending from said base, said leg having a pointed end and a length measured from said base, said length being indeterminate; locating the fastener inside a patient on one side of a tissue being operated on; driving a pointed end of the fastener through the tissue; grasping the leg after the leg has penetrated the tissue; tensioning the leg and moving the base of the fastener against the tissue; immobilizing the leg on the other side of the tissue; engaging the end of the immobilized leg; and bending the leg to force the end back towards the base of the fastener.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
131 words
21 ) A method of placing a fastener in a patient during surgery comprising: providing a fastener for use in surgery having a body having a base and a leg extending from said base, said leg having a pointed end and a length measured from said base, said length being indeterminate; locating the fastener inside a patient on one side of a tissue being operated on; driving a pointed end of the fastener through the tissue; grasping the leg after the leg has penetrated the tissue; tensioning the leg and moving the base of the fastener against the tissue; immobilizing the leg on the other side of the tissue; engaging the end of the immobilized leg; and bending the leg to force the end back towards the base of the fastener.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
22 ) The method defined in claim 21 in which the step of immobilizing the leg is performed by grasping the leg on the side of the tissue opposite that of the base of the fastener whereby the tissue is located between the base of the fastener and any means used to immobilize the leg.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
23 ) The method defined in claim 22 further including a step of cutting the leg.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
133 words
24 ) A method of placing a fastener in a patient during surgery comprising: providing a fastener for use in surgery having a body having a base and a leg extending from said base, said leg having a point on one end thereof and a length measured from said base, said length being indeterminate; locating the fastener inside a patient on one side of a tissue being operated on; driving a pointed end of the fastener through the tissue; engaging the fastener only at the leg after the leg has penetrated the tissue; tensioning the engaged leg and moving the fastener until the base of the fastener moves against the tissue; engaging the end of the immobilized leg; and bending the leg to force the end back towards the base of the fastener.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
133 words
24 ) A method of placing a fastener in a patient during surgery comprising: providing a fastener for use in surgery having a body having a base and a leg extending from said base, said leg having a point on one end thereof and a length measured from said base, said length being indeterminate; locating the fastener inside a patient on one side of a tissue being operated on; driving a pointed end of the fastener through the tissue; engaging the fastener only at the leg after the leg has penetrated the tissue; tensioning the engaged leg and moving the fastener until the base of the fastener moves against the tissue; engaging the end of the immobilized leg; and bending the leg to force the end back towards the base of the fastener.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
95 words
25 ) A method of placing a fastener in a patient during surgery comprising: providing a fastener for use in surgery having a body having a base and a leg extending from said base, said leg having a point on one end thereof and a length measured from said base, said length being indeterminate; locating the fastener inside a patient on one side of a tissue being operated on; driving a pointed end of the fastener through the tissue; using only the leg of the fastener, moving the fastener into position and forming the fastener.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
95 words
25 ) A method of placing a fastener in a patient during surgery comprising: providing a fastener for use in surgery having a body having a base and a leg extending from said base, said leg having a point on one end thereof and a length measured from said base, said length being indeterminate; locating the fastener inside a patient on one side of a tissue being operated on; driving a pointed end of the fastener through the tissue; using only the leg of the fastener, moving the fastener into position and forming the fastener.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
185 words
26 ) A method of placing a fastener in a patient during minimally invasive surgery comprising: providing a fastener having a body with a formable portion and having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base to said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base and being defined by cutting the leg; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length; locating the fastener inside a patient on one side of a tissue being operated on; driving the pointed end through the tissue; grasping the leg after the leg has penetrated the tissue; tensioning the leg and moving the base of the fastener against the tissue; immobilizing the leg on the other side of the tissue; cutting the leg to form the end; engaging the end of the immobilized leg; and bending the leg to force the end back towards the base of the fastener.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
185 words
26 ) A method of placing a fastener in a patient during minimally invasive surgery comprising: providing a fastener having a body with a formable portion and having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base to said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base and being defined by cutting the leg; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length; locating the fastener inside a patient on one side of a tissue being operated on; driving the pointed end through the tissue; grasping the leg after the leg has penetrated the tissue; tensioning the leg and moving the base of the fastener against the tissue; immobilizing the leg on the other side of the tissue; cutting the leg to form the end; engaging the end of the immobilized leg; and bending the leg to force the end back towards the base of the fastener.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
27 ) The method defined in claim 26 including placing a pledget on the fastener adjacent to the base.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
28 ) The method defined in claim 26 including placing a prosthesis on the fastener from the pointed end and moving the prosthesis on the fastener leg into position adjacent the tissue.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
29 ) The method defined in claim 26 including grasping the tissue prior to driving the pointed end through the tissue.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
30 ) The method defined in claim 26 including placing a plurality of fasteners.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
31 ) The method defined in claim 30 including a step of organizing the fasteners.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
32 ) The method defined in claim 26 including a step of rotating the fastener while the fastener is penetrating the tissue.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
99 words
33 ) A tool for use in placing a fastener during surgery comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said tool; a track on the body of the tool for slidably holding said fastener on the body of said tool; means for forcing the fastener along the body of the tool toward tissue being penetrated; means for guiding the pointed end of said fastener through a patient's tissue; means for grasping the pointed end after the pointed end have exited the tissue; and means for drawing the base of the fastener against the tissue.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
99 words
33 ) A tool for use in placing a fastener during surgery comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said tool; a track on the body of the tool for slidably holding said fastener on the body of said tool; means for forcing the fastener along the body of the tool toward tissue being penetrated; means for guiding the pointed end of said fastener through a patient's tissue; means for grasping the pointed end after the pointed end have exited the tissue; and means for drawing the base of the fastener against the tissue.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
34 ) The tool defined in claim 33 in which said means for drawing the base of the fastener against the tissue also draws the fastener leg out of the patient.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
35 ) The tool defined in claim 34 further including means for supporting the leg after it has been drawn through the tissue.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
36 ) The tool defined in claim 35 further including means for covering the point on the fastener leg after the leg has been drawn through the tissue.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
131 words
37 ) In combination with a fastener for use in surgery which comprises: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base, said leg having a pointed end and a length measured from said base, said length being indeterminate, a tool comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said tool; a track on the body of the tool for slidably holding said fastener on the body of said tool; means for forcing the fastener along the body of the tool toward tissue being penetrated; means for guiding the pointed end of said fastener through a patient's tissue; means for grasping the pointed end after the pointed end have exited the tissue; and means for drawing the base of the fastener against the tissue.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
131 words
37 ) In combination with a fastener for use in surgery which comprises: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base, said leg having a pointed end and a length measured from said base, said length being indeterminate, a tool comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said tool; a track on the body of the tool for slidably holding said fastener on the body of said tool; means for forcing the fastener along the body of the tool toward tissue being penetrated; means for guiding the pointed end of said fastener through a patient's tissue; means for grasping the pointed end after the pointed end have exited the tissue; and means for drawing the base of the fastener against the tissue.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
176 words
38 ) In combination with a fastener for use in minimally invasive surgery which comprises: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base to said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base and being defined by cutting the leg; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length, said tool comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said tool; a track on the body of the tool for slidably holding said fastener on said body; means for forcing the fastener along the body of the tool toward tissue being penetrated; means for guiding the pointed end of said fastener through a patient's tissue; means for grasping the pointed end after the pointed end have exited the tissue; and means for drawing the fastener leg out of the patient.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
176 words
38 ) In combination with a fastener for use in minimally invasive surgery which comprises: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base to said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base and being defined by cutting the leg; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length, said tool comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said tool; a track on the body of the tool for slidably holding said fastener on said body; means for forcing the fastener along the body of the tool toward tissue being penetrated; means for guiding the pointed end of said fastener through a patient's tissue; means for grasping the pointed end after the pointed end have exited the tissue; and means for drawing the fastener leg out of the patient.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
39 ) The tool defined in claim 38 wherein said track is disposable and is releasably held on the body of said tool.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
40 ) The tool defined in claim 38 further including means for rotating the fastener as it is penetrating the tissue.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
48 words
41 ) The tool defined in claim 39 further including a lever on the tool body and a rod connected to said lever and extending toward the handle of the tool body, and means on said lever for releasably grasping the fastener adjacent to the pointed end thereof.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
42 ) The tool defined in claim 38 further including a fastener driver mechanism on the end of the body of the tool, said fastener driver mechanism including a one-way pawl and a spring.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
44 words
43 ) The tool defined in claim 38 further including means for grasping tissue, said means for grasping tissue including a first jaw and a second jaw, each jaw being mounted on one end of a jaw actuating rod which extends toward said handle.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
44 ) The tool defined in claim 38 further including a point protector on the fastener.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
45 ) The tool defined in claim 38 further including an operating mechanism on the handle.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
75 words
46 ) A termination tool for use in placing a fastener during surgery comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said termination tool; means on the body of the termination tool for immobilizing the fastener; means on the body of the termination tool for cutting the leg of said fastener; and means on the body of said termination tool for bending the cut leg toward the base of the fastener.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
75 words
46 ) A termination tool for use in placing a fastener during surgery comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said termination tool; means on the body of the termination tool for immobilizing the fastener; means on the body of the termination tool for cutting the leg of said fastener; and means on the body of said termination tool for bending the cut leg toward the base of the fastener.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
111 words
47 ) A termination tool for use in placing a fastener during surgery, the fastener having a leg of indeterminate length and being forced through tissue during surgery, the termination tool comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said termination tool; means on the body of the termination tool for engaging only the leg of the fastener after the leg has been forced through the tissue and immobilizing the fastener and defining an end of the leg and bending the leg into a retaining position, said means engaging the leg of the fastener on the side of the tissue opposite to the base of the fastener.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
111 words
47 ) A termination tool for use in placing a fastener during surgery, the fastener having a leg of indeterminate length and being forced through tissue during surgery, the termination tool comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said termination tool; means on the body of the termination tool for engaging only the leg of the fastener after the leg has been forced through the tissue and immobilizing the fastener and defining an end of the leg and bending the leg into a retaining position, said means engaging the leg of the fastener on the side of the tissue opposite to the base of the fastener.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
156 words
48 ) In combination with a fastener for use in minimally invasive surgery which comprises: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base to said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base and being defined by cutting the leg; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length, a termination tool comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said termination tool; means on the body of the termination tool for immobilizing the fastener; means on the body of the termination tool for cutting the leg of said fastener; and means on the body of said termination tool for bending the cut leg toward the base of the fastener.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
156 words
48 ) In combination with a fastener for use in minimally invasive surgery which comprises: a body having a base and a leg extending from said base; said body having a width dimension; said leg having a pointed end, an unformed length dimension measured from said base to said pointed end, and a formed length dimension measured between said base and an end, with the end located between the pointed end and said base and being defined by cutting the leg; and the unformed length being greater than the formed length, a termination tool comprising: a body; a handle on one end of the body of said termination tool; means on the body of the termination tool for immobilizing the fastener; means on the body of the termination tool for cutting the leg of said fastener; and means on the body of said termination tool for bending the cut leg toward the base of the fastener.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
73 words
49 ) The tool defined in claim 47 wherein said means for immobilizing the leg of the fastener includes a first element on one end of a first element actuating rod and a second element on one end of a second element actuating rod, said actuating rods extending toward said handle and being movable with respect to each other whereby said first and second elements can be moved with respect to each other.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
50 words
50 ) The tool defined in claim 49 further including a leg receiving aperture defined in said first elements, said leg being received in said aperture and locked between said first and second elements when said first and second elements are oriented a leg grasping configuration next to each other.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
19 words
51 ) The tool defined in claim 50 further including means on said handle for operating said actuating rods.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
52 words
52 ) The tool defined in claim 48 wherein said means on the body of said termination tool for bending the cut leg toward the base of the fastener includes a returning anvil surface located to engage the leg and a body having said anvil surface thereon and extending toward said handle.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
22 words
53 ) The tool defined in claim 52 wherein said handle includes means for moving the body having said anvil surfaces thereon.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
33 words
54 ) The tool defined in claim 48 wherein said means on the body of the termination tool for cutting the leg of said fastener includes a shearing shoulder, and a cutter mechanism.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
61 words
55 ) The tool defined in claim 54 wherein said cutter mechanism includes a sleeve movably located on the body of said termination tool and having one end located near the shearing shoulder and extending toward said handle, a cutting element having a cutting edge on one end located near said shearing shoulder and a cutter body located inside said sleeve.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
49 words
56 ) The tool defined in claim 55 further including a guiding shoulder located on said cutting element to be engaged by said sleeve and shaped to move said cutting edge towards said shearing shoulder when said sleeve engages said guiding shoulder and is forced toward said shearing edge.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
17 words
57 ) The tool defined in claim 52 wherein said anvil and said cutter are one piece.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
35 words
58 ) The tool defined in claim 59 wherein said first and second elements are shaped to increase grasping force on the leg as the first and second elements are moved closer to each other.
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