Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080294177 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TERMINATION - Devices and methods used in termination of a tissue tightening procedure are described. Termination includes the cinching of a tether to tighten the tissue, locking the tether to maintain tension, and cutting excess tether. In procedures involving anchors secured to the tissue, the tether is coupled to the anchors and the tissue is tightened via tension applied to the anchors by cinching the tether. In general, the devices and methods can be used in minimally invasive surgical procedures, and can be applied through small incisions or intravascularly. A method for tightening tissue by fixedly coupling a first anchor to a tether and slidably coupling a second anchor to the tether, securing both anchors to the tissue, applying tension to the tether intravascularly, fixedly coupling the tether to the second anchor, and cutting the tether is described. The tissue to be tightened can comprise heart tissue, in particular heart valve annulus tissue. Various devices and methods for locking the tether in place and cutting excess tether are described. | 11-27-2008 |
20090198272 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARTICULATING THE WRIST OF A LAPAROSCOPIC GRASPING INSTRUMENT - A medical instrument has a set of opposing jaws that can be articulated, both left and right, from centerline. The instrument has a proper bend radius and support for the jaw actuation member and cutter driving member. The bendable support for the drive members comprises tightly wound coil springs. Another embodiment of the invention controls the degree of articulation at the handle of the laparoscopic instrument. A further embodiment of the invention incorporates a locking mechanism to prevent motion of the wrist while the user performs other operations on the device. The locking mechanism also includes an indexing feature with which the user can index and choose the necessary amount of angle between preset angles. | 08-06-2009 |
20100049213 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TERMINATION - Devices and methods for locking and/or cutting tethers during a tissue modification procedure are described. In some variations, a tether may be used to tighten or compress tissue by bringing two pieces or sections of the tissue together. The tether, which may be under tension, may be locked to maintain the tension, and excess tether may be severed, using one or more of the devices and/or methods. The devices and/or methods may be used, for example, in minimally invasive procedures. | 02-25-2010 |
20100094314 | TETHER TENSIONING DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - Devices, methods, and kits for tensioning tethers during a tissue modification procedure are described. In some variations, a tether coupled to anchors embedded in tissue may be tensioned to provide a cinching effect that tightens or compresses the tissue by bringing two pieces or sections of the tissue together. In certain variations, the tether may then be locked (e.g., to maintain the tension), and/or excess tether may be severed. The devices, methods, and/or kits may be used, for example, in minimally invasive procedures. | 04-15-2010 |
20100121349 | TERMINATION DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - Devices and methods for locking and/or cutting tethers during a tissue modification procedure are described. In some variations, a tether may be used to tighten tissue by bringing two pieces or sections of the tissue together. The tether, which may be under tension, may be locked to maintain the tension, and excess tether may be severed, using one or more of the devices and/or methods. The devices and/or methods may be used, for example, in minimally invasive procedures. | 05-13-2010 |
20110230875 | ARTICULABLE ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH A STABILIZABLE ARTICULATION ACTUATOR - Embodiments of the technology provide an articulable electrosurgical instrument and methods of performing electrosurgery with an articulating capability. The electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having an end effector associated with a distal end thereof that is able to deliver energy to a target tissue site. An articulable joint is positioned between that shaft and the end effector. Articulation of the articulable joint is controlled by a stabilizable articulation actuator, which may include a rotatably stabilizable disk residing within a well. The end effector may take the form of forceps including an upper and a lower jaw; the jaws are configured to grasp target tissue and to deliver energy, such as radiofrequency energy. In some of these instruments, the end effector is adapted to seal tissue by the application of radiofrequency energy, and then to cut through the sealed tissue portion. | 09-22-2011 |
20130231534 | FLOATING, MULTI-LUMEN-CATHETER RETRACTOR SYSTEM FOR A MINIMALLY-INVASIVE, OPERATIVE GASTROINTESTINAL TREATMENT - Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner. | 09-05-2013 |
20130274553 | MULTI-LUMEN-CATHETER RETRACTOR SYSTEM FOR A MINIMALLY-INVASIVE, OPERATIVE GASTROINTESTINAL TREATMENT - Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner. | 10-17-2013 |
20130304093 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TERMINATION - Devices and methods for locking and/or cutting tethers during a tissue modification procedure are described. In some variations, a tether may be used to tighten or compress tissue by bringing two pieces or sections of the tissue together. The tether, which may be under tension, may be locked to maintain the tension, and excess tether may be severed, using one or more of the devices and/or methods. The devices and/or methods may be used, for example, in minimally invasive procedures. | 11-14-2013 |
20130345511 | FLOATING, MULTI-LUMEN-CATHETER RETRACTOR SYSTEM FOR A MINIMALLY-INVASIVE, OPERATIVE GASTROINTESTINAL TREATMENT - Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner. | 12-26-2013 |
20130345519 | FLOATING, MULTI-LUMEN-CATHETER RETRACTOR SYSTEM FOR A MINIMALLY-INVASIVE, OPERATIVE GASTROINTESTINAL TREATMENT - Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner. | 12-26-2013 |
20140142393 | MULTI-LUMEN-CATHETER RETRACTOR SYSTEM FOR A MINIMALLY-INVASIVE, OPERATIVE GASTROINTESTINAL TREATMENT - A system for performing minimally invasive procedures in a body lumen of a patient including a flexible catheter having a first lumen configured and dimensioned to receive an endoscope therethrough and a second lumen configured and dimensioned to receive a first flexible tube therethrough. The first flexible tube is movable through the second lumen and has a distal portion including a first curve extending in a first direction with respect to the longitudinal axis and a second curve extending in a second different direction with respect to the longitudinal axis. A retractor system is positioned at a distal portion of the catheter and is movable from a non-expanded insertion position to an expanded position forming an expanded cage to form a larger working space. The distal portion of the first flexible tube is movable within the expanded cage. | 05-22-2014 |
20140188140 | TERMINATION DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - Devices and methods for locking and/or cutting tethers during a tissue modification procedure are described. In some variations, a tether may be used to tighten tissue by bringing two pieces or sections of the tissue together. The tether, which may be under tension, may be locked to maintain the tension, and excess tether may be severed, using one or more of the devices and/or methods. The devices and/or methods may be used, for example, in minimally invasive procedures. | 07-03-2014 |
20150025314 | ENDOLUMINAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GASTROINTESTINAL TREATMENT - Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner. | 01-22-2015 |