US5333624A — Surgical attaching apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 50 words

Surgical attaching apparatus comprising: anchor means adapted to engage a surgical implant; and attachment means attached to said anchor means having an aperture formed therein adapted to receive at least one securing device, said attachment means being attached to said anchor means so as to form a substantial "T" shape.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 50 words

Surgical attaching apparatus comprising: anchor means adapted to engage a surgical implant; and attachment means attached to said anchor means having an aperture formed therein adapted to receive at least one securing device, said attachment means being attached to said anchor means so as to form a substantial "T" shape.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

Surgical attaching apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means and said anchor means are fabricated from a bioabsorbable material.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

Surgical attaching apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said anchor means includes a tapered portion.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

Surgical attaching apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said anchor means includes a pointed portion.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 78 words

A method for positioning surgical implants adjacent to body tissue, comprising: affixing at least one surgical attaching apparatus to a surgical implant; affixing said surgical implant to a delivery device by passing a securing device through said at least one surgical attaching apparatus; positioning said surgical implant and said delivery device adjacent to the body tissue; and releasing said surgical implant from said delivery device by removing said securing device from said at least one surgical attaching apparatus.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 78 words

A method for positioning surgical implants adjacent to body tissue, comprising: affixing at least one surgical attaching apparatus to a surgical implant; affixing said surgical implant to a delivery device by passing a securing device through said at least one surgical attaching apparatus; positioning said surgical implant and said delivery device adjacent to the body tissue; and releasing said surgical implant from said delivery device by removing said securing device from said at least one surgical attaching apparatus.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 49 words

A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of affixing said surgical implant to said delivery device further comprises the step of passing a securing device through a plurality of said surgical attaching apparatus such that said delivery device is positioned between said securing device and said implant.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 52 words

A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of affixing said surgical implant to said delivery device further comprises the step of passing a securing device through a plurality of said surgical attaching apparatus while between each of said surgical attaching apparatus the securing device is wrapped around said delivery device.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 103 words

Apparatus for positioning surgical implants adjacent to body tissue, comprising: an elongated rod having a support member formed on a distal end thereof; a surgical implant adapted to be releasably attached to said support member; at least one surgical attaching apparatus attached to said surgical implant, said surgical attaching apparatus having an anchor means for engaging said surgical implant and attachment means connected to said anchor means, said attachment means having an aperture formed therein; and at least one securing device adapted to be received in said aperture of said surgical attaching apparatus for releasably securing said surgical implant to said support member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 103 words

Apparatus for positioning surgical implants adjacent to body tissue, comprising: an elongated rod having a support member formed on a distal end thereof; a surgical implant adapted to be releasably attached to said support member; at least one surgical attaching apparatus attached to said surgical implant, said surgical attaching apparatus having an anchor means for engaging said surgical implant and attachment means connected to said anchor means, said attachment means having an aperture formed therein; and at least one securing device adapted to be received in said aperture of said surgical attaching apparatus for releasably securing said surgical implant to said support member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said attaching apparatus is fabricated from a bioabsorbable material.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said surgical implant comprises a surgical mesh.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said securing device comprises a suture.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said support member is fabricated from elastic material.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said elastic material is shape-memory alloy.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said elastic material is a superelastic metallic alloy.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said support member is shaped in the form of a closed loop.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said elongated rod includes a portion which is fabricated from an elastic material at a distal end thereof.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said elastic material has an unstressed configuration at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of a proximal end of said elongated rod.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said elastic material is a shape-memory alloy.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said elastic material is a superelastic metallic alloy.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 137 words

Apparatus for positioning surgical implants adjacent to body tissue, comprising: an elongated tubular housing member; an elongated rod having a support member formed on a distal end thereof and a handle formed on a proximal end thereof, said elongated rod being disposed coaxially in said elongated tubular housing member and adapted for relative reciprocal motion to move said support member between a first extended position and a second retracted position; a surgical implant adapted to be releasably attached to said support member; at least one surgical attaching apparatus attached to said surgical implant, said surgical attaching apparatus having an anchor means for engaging said surgical implant and attachment means connected to said anchor means; and at least one securing device adapted to engage said attachment means so as to secure said surgical implant to said support member.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 137 words

Apparatus for positioning surgical implants adjacent to body tissue, comprising: an elongated tubular housing member; an elongated rod having a support member formed on a distal end thereof and a handle formed on a proximal end thereof, said elongated rod being disposed coaxially in said elongated tubular housing member and adapted for relative reciprocal motion to move said support member between a first extended position and a second retracted position; a surgical implant adapted to be releasably attached to said support member; at least one surgical attaching apparatus attached to said surgical implant, said surgical attaching apparatus having an anchor means for engaging said surgical implant and attachment means connected to said anchor means; and at least one securing device adapted to engage said attachment means so as to secure said surgical implant to said support member.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said elongated tubular housing member further comprises a gripping means connected to a proximal end thereof.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said gripping means comprises a substantially conically shaped knob.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said gripping means includes a grip enhancing means on an outer surface thereof.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said attaching apparatus is fabricated from a bioabsorbable material.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said surgical implant comprises a surgical mesh.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said securing device comprises a suture.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said support member is fabricated from elastic material.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said elastic material is shape-memory alloy.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said elastic material is a superelastic metallic alloy.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 18 words

Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said support member is shaped in the form of a closed loop.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said elongated rod includes a portion which is fabricated from an elastic material.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 28 words

Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said elastic material has an unstressed configuration at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said elongated tubular housing member.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said elastic material is a shape-memory alloy.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said elastic material is a superelastic metallic alloy.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 160 words

Apparatus for positioning surgical implants adjacent to body tissue, comprising: an elongated tubular housing member having a first handle portion attached to a proximal end thereof and a second handle portion associated with said housing member and pivotally connected to said first handle portion; an elongated rod having a support member formed on a distal end thereof, said elongated rod being disposed coaxially in said tubular housing member and operatively connected to said second handle portion for reciprocal movement of said support member between a first extended position and a second retracted position; a surgical implant adapted to be releasably attached to said support member; at least one surgical attaching apparatus attached to said surgical implant, said surgical attaching apparatus having an anchor means for engaging said surgical implant and attachment means connected to said anchor means; and at least one securing device adapted to engage said attachment means so as to secure said surgical implant to said support member.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 160 words

Apparatus for positioning surgical implants adjacent to body tissue, comprising: an elongated tubular housing member having a first handle portion attached to a proximal end thereof and a second handle portion associated with said housing member and pivotally connected to said first handle portion; an elongated rod having a support member formed on a distal end thereof, said elongated rod being disposed coaxially in said tubular housing member and operatively connected to said second handle portion for reciprocal movement of said support member between a first extended position and a second retracted position; a surgical implant adapted to be releasably attached to said support member; at least one surgical attaching apparatus attached to said surgical implant, said surgical attaching apparatus having an anchor means for engaging said surgical implant and attachment means connected to said anchor means; and at least one securing device adapted to engage said attachment means so as to secure said surgical implant to said support member.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 18 words

Apparatus according to claim 35 further comprising rotation means for rotating said elongated rod about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said at least one surgical attaching apparatus is fabricated from a bioabsorbable material.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said surgical implant comprises a surgical mesh.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said securing device comprises a suture.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said support member is fabricated from elastic material.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 40 wherein said elastic material is shape-memory alloy.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus according to claim 40 wherein said material is a superelastic metallic alloy.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 18 words

Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said support member is shaped in the form of a closed loop.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said elongated rod includes a portion which is fabricated from an elastic material.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 28 words

Apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said elastic material has an unstressed configuration at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said elongated tubular housing member.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said elastic material is a shape-memory alloy.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said elastic material is a superelastic metallic alloy.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 147 words

Apparatus for positioning surgical implants adjacent to body tissue, comprising: an elongated tubular housing member having an endoscopic portion formed at a distal end thereof; an elongated rod having a support member formed on a distal end thereof and a handle formed on a proximal end thereof, said elongated rod being disposed coaxially in said elongated tubular housing member and adapted for relative reciprocal motion to move said support member between a first extended position and a second retracted position; a surgical implant adapted to be releasably attached to said support member; at least one surgical attaching apparatus attached to said surgical implant, said surgical attaching apparatus having an anchor means for engaging said surgical implant and attachment means connected to said anchor means; and at least one securing device adapted to engage said attachment means so as to secure said surgical implant to said support member.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 147 words

Apparatus for positioning surgical implants adjacent to body tissue, comprising: an elongated tubular housing member having an endoscopic portion formed at a distal end thereof; an elongated rod having a support member formed on a distal end thereof and a handle formed on a proximal end thereof, said elongated rod being disposed coaxially in said elongated tubular housing member and adapted for relative reciprocal motion to move said support member between a first extended position and a second retracted position; a surgical implant adapted to be releasably attached to said support member; at least one surgical attaching apparatus attached to said surgical implant, said surgical attaching apparatus having an anchor means for engaging said surgical implant and attachment means connected to said anchor means; and at least one securing device adapted to engage said attachment means so as to secure said surgical implant to said support member.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said elongated tubular housing member further comprises a gripping means connected to a proximal end thereof.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said gripping means comprises a substantially conically shaped knob.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said gripping means includes a grip enhancing means on an outer surface thereof.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said attaching apparatus is fabricated from a bioabsorbable material.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said surgical implant comprises a surgical mesh.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said securing device comprises a suture.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said support member is fabricated from elastic material.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 55 wherein said elastic material is shape-memory alloy.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 55 wherein said elastic material is a superelastic metallic alloy.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 18 words

Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said support member is shaped in the form of a closed loop.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said elongated rod includes a portion which is fabricated from an elastic material.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 28 words

Apparatus according to claim 59 wherein said elastic material has an unstressed configuration at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said elongated tubular housing member.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus according to claim 59 wherein said elastic material is a shape-memory alloy.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 59 wherein said elastic material is a superelastic metallic alloy.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-08-01	1998-01-31	1998-08-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-08-01	2002-01-31	2002-08-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-08-01	2006-01-31	2006-08-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Surgical attaching apparatus

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