US5281238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic ligation instrument
Assignee: Covidien AG
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Filing: 1993-03-03
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Granted: 1994-01-25
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Expires: 2013-03-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved endoscopic ligature provided with a loop support means for stabilizing the shape, position and orientation of a suture loop. The stabilized loop is impervious to surface tension forces created by body fluids and will not close on itself or stick to moist surfaces. When the loop is cinched closed it dislodges from the support. The loop support is made of a flexible material with shape memory and has an unstressed width greater than that of the trocar cannula. The loop support is collapsible to allow the instrument to be inserted and withdrawn through the cannula.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert K. Chin
- 👤 Frank T. Watkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06166; A61B17/12; A61B17/12009; A61B17/12013; A61B17/0469; A61B2017/0474; A61B2017/0477; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An instrument for ligation through an endoscopic trocar cannula comprising: an elongated suture support having an intracorporeal end, and extracorporeal end and a first longitudinal axis; a suture having an intracorporeal end and an extracorporeal end, said suture extending along and supported by said elongated suture support, said suture having a cinchable loop at the intracorporeal end thereof; a first adjustable elongated loop support mounted at the intracorporeal end of said elongated suture support, said first loop support having a second central longitudinal axis, said first loop support having a first elongated retaining groove with a third central longitudinal axis, a substantial portion of said loop being removably engageable in said first retaining groove, whereby said first loop support controls and stabilizes said loop when engaged therewith; and control means located at the extracorporeal end of said elongated suture support for selectively moving said first loop support between a first state and a second state, said second longitudinal axis being more closely aligned with said first longitudinal axis in said first state than in said second state, said third longitudinal axis paralleling said second longitudinal axis in said second state, and said second longitudinal axis being noncolinear with said first longitudinal axis in said second state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
An instrument for ligation through an endoscopic trocar cannula comprising: an elongated suture support having an intracorporeal end, and extracorporeal end and a first longitudinal axis; a suture having an intracorporeal end and an extracorporeal end, said suture extending along and supported by said elongated suture support, said suture having a cinchable loop at the intracorporeal end thereof; a first adjustable elongated loop support mounted at the intracorporeal end of said elongated suture support, said first loop support having a second central longitudinal axis, said first loop support having a first elongated retaining groove with a third central longitudinal axis, a substantial portion of said loop being removably engageable in said first retaining groove, whereby said first loop support controls and stabilizes said loop when engaged therewith; and control means located at the extracorporeal end of said elongated suture support for selectively moving said first loop support between a first state and a second state, said second longitudinal axis being more closely aligned with said first longitudinal axis in said first state than in said second state, said third longitudinal axis paralleling said second longitudinal axis in said second state, and said second longitudinal axis being noncolinear with said first longitudinal axis in said second state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a second adjustable elongated loop support mounted at the intracorporeal end of said elongated suture support, said second loop support having a fourth central longitudinal axis, said second loop support having a second elongated retaining groove with a fifth longitudinal axis, a substantial portion of said loop being removably engageable in said second retaining groove, whereby said second loop support controls and stabilizes said loop when engaged therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said control means selectively moves said second loop support between a third state and a fourth state, said fourth longitudinal axis being more closely aligned with said first longitudinal axis in said third state than in said fourth state, said fifth longitudinal axis paralleling said fourth longitudinal axis in said fourth state, and said fifth longitudinal axis being noncolinear with said first longitudinal axis in said fourth state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 3 wherein said first and second loop supports are substantially linear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said first and second loop supports are substantially nonlinear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said first and second retaining grooves are configured to frictionally retain said loop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said loop disengages from first and second loop supports when cinched.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said first loop support is substantially linear.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said first loop support is substantially nonlinear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said suture support is substantially tubular forming a bore, said bore housing a portion of said suture in a sliding relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said first retaining groove is configured to frictionally retain said loop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
222 words
An instrument for ligation through an endoscopic trocar cannula comprising: an elongated suture support having an intracorporeal end, an extracorporeal end and a first longitudinal axis; a suture having an intracorporeal end and an extracorporeal end, said suture extending along and supported by said elongated suture support, said suture having a cinchable loop at said intracorporeal end thereof, a first point on said loop being removably engageable near said intracorporeal end of said suture support; a first adjustable elongated loop support prong having a second longitudinal axis, a first distal end, and a first proximal end, and being mounted near said first proximal end to said intracorporeal end of said suture support, said loop being removably engageable to said first support prong at a second point near said first distal end thereof and a third point between said first distal and proximal ends thereof, whereby said first support prong controls and stabilizes said loop when engaged therewith; and control means located at said extracorporeal end of said suture support for selectively moving said first support prong between a first state and a second state, said second longitudinal axis being more closely aligned with said first longitudinal axis in said first state than in said second state, and said second longitudinal axis being noncolinear with said first longitudinal axis in said second state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
222 words
An instrument for ligation through an endoscopic trocar cannula comprising: an elongated suture support having an intracorporeal end, an extracorporeal end and a first longitudinal axis; a suture having an intracorporeal end and an extracorporeal end, said suture extending along and supported by said elongated suture support, said suture having a cinchable loop at said intracorporeal end thereof, a first point on said loop being removably engageable near said intracorporeal end of said suture support; a first adjustable elongated loop support prong having a second longitudinal axis, a first distal end, and a first proximal end, and being mounted near said first proximal end to said intracorporeal end of said suture support, said loop being removably engageable to said first support prong at a second point near said first distal end thereof and a third point between said first distal and proximal ends thereof, whereby said first support prong controls and stabilizes said loop when engaged therewith; and control means located at said extracorporeal end of said suture support for selectively moving said first support prong between a first state and a second state, said second longitudinal axis being more closely aligned with said first longitudinal axis in said first state than in said second state, and said second longitudinal axis being noncolinear with said first longitudinal axis in said second state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The instrument of claim 12 wherein said loop is removably engageable to said first support prong at a fourth point on said first support between said second and third points.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
The instrument of claim 12 further comprising a second adjustable elongated loop support prong having a third longitudinal axis, a second distal end, and a second proximal end, and being mounted near said second proximal end to said intracorporeal end of said suture support, said loop being removably engageable to said second support prong at a fourth point near said second distal end thereof and a third point between said second distal and proximal ends thereof, whereby said second support prong controls and stabilizes said loop when engaged therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
The instrument of claim 14 wherein said control means selectively moves said second support prong between a third state and a fourth state, said third longitudinal axis being more closely aligned with said first longitudinal axis in said third state than in said fourth state, and said third longitudinal axis being noncolinear with said first longitudinal axis in said fourth state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 15 wherein said first and second support prongs are substantially linear.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 15 wherein said first and second support prongs and said suture support are formed integrally.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The instrument of claim 15 wherein said suture support is generally tubular forming a bore, said bore housing a portion of said suture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
104 words
An instrument for ligation through an endoscopic trocar cannula comprising: (a) an elongated suture support having an intracorporeal end and extracorporeal end; (b) a suture having an intracorporeal end and an extracorporeal end, said suture extending along and supported by said elongated suture support, said suture having a cinchable loop at the intracorporeal end thereof with a longitudinal bore therethrough; (c) an implantable support wire extending through said longitudinal bore for controlling and stabilizing said loop; and (d) a control means located at the extracorporeal end of said elongated suture support for selectively moving said loop between a collapsed state and an open state.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
An instrument for ligation through an endoscopic trocar cannula comprising: (a) an elongated suture support having an intracorporeal end and extracorporeal end; (b) a suture having an intracorporeal end and an extracorporeal end, said suture extending along and supported by said elongated suture support, said suture having a cinchable loop at the intracorporeal end thereof with a longitudinal bore therethrough; (c) an implantable support wire extending through said longitudinal bore for controlling and stabilizing said loop; and (d) a control means located at the extracorporeal end of said elongated suture support for selectively moving said loop between a collapsed state and an open state.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrument of claim 19 wherein said suture support is generally tubular forming a bore, said bore housing a portion of said suture in a sliding relationship.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument of claim 19 wherein said cinchable loop is closed with a slipknot.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-24 | 1997-07-26 | 1998-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-24 | 2001-07-26 | 2002-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-24 | 2005-07-26 | 2006-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |