Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A surgical instrument for applying surgical fasteners to torn tissue, comprising: means for releasably engaging a fastener; means for linearly advancing said engaging means to drive said fastener into said torn tissue; and means for releasing said advancing means to linearly retract said engaging means to release said fastener, said fastener being positioned in said torn tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 1, for a fastener with a first leg and a second leg, wherein said advancing means advances the first leg of said fastener into said tissue and subsequently advances the second leg of said fastener into said tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument for applying a surgical fastener to torn tissue, said fastener including a first leg and a second leg joined by a flexible material, said instrument comprising: means for releasably engaging said first leg of said fastener and said second leg of said fastener; first means for advancing said first leg of said fastener into said tissue; second means for advancing said second leg of said fastener into said tissue subsequent to said first leg; and means for releasing said advancing means to retract said engaging means to release said fastener, said fastener being positioned in said tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a handle mechanism, said first and second advancing means being responsive to movement of said handle mechanism to advance said fastener into said tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein said first and second advancing means incrementally advances said first and second legs of said fastener, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said releasing means simultaneously releases said first and second advancing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said releasing menas releases said first advancing means prior to releasing said second advancing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said engaging means includes tissue piercing means to facilitate penetration of tissue to advance said fastener into said tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for penetrating said tissue to position said fastener in said tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said fastener engaging means includes means for piercing said tissue to position said fastener in said tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said fastener engaging means tapers at a distal end to a sharpened point to facilitate penetration of said tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said advancing means comprises a ratchet mechanism for incrementally advancing said fastener into said tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said advancing means comprises a pair of shafts extending from a handle mechanism to said fastener engaging means, said shafts advancing said fastener engaging means in response to movement of said handle mechanism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 13 as dependent on claim 12, said ratchet mechanism cooperating with said shafts for incrementally advancing said fastener engaging means in response to movement of said handle mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein said ratchet mechanism includes a pair of rack members attached to each of said shafts and a pair of pawl members attached to said handle mechanism for engaging said rack members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein said release means disengages said ratchet mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said release means includes a switch means for continuous engagement with said advancing means and for discontinuous engagement with said advancing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein said release means discharges said shafts from said handle mechanism.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, said release means including biasing means for retracting said advancing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 19, as dependent on claim 15, wherein said release means disengages a first pawl member from a corresponding first rack member, and subsequently disengages a second pawl member from a corresponding second rack member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said release means disengages a pawl mechanism from a said rack member to release said advancing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
88 words
A surgical instrument for applying a surgical fastener to torn tissue, said fastener including a first leg and a second leg joined by a flexible material, said instrument comprising: a handle mechanism including at least one movable member; a body portion; means for releasably engaging said fastener; means positioned in said body portion for advancing said first leg of said fastener into said tissue, and subsequently advancing said second leg of said fastener into said tissue, said means for advancing being responsive to movement of said handle mechanism.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said engaging means includes means for facilitating penetration of tissue to assist in positioning said fastener in said tissue.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
A surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, including a body portion which comprises an outer tubular member and said advancing means comprises at least one elongate rod member housed within the tubular member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
60 words
A surgical instrument, comprising: fastener means including a first leg and a second leg joined by a flexible material; means for releasably engaging said fastener means; means for advancing said engaging means to drive said first leg into body tissue; and means for advancing said engaging means to drive said second leg into body tissue subsequent to said first leg.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tissue tear repair device for repairing a torn tissue in a patient, comprising: a pair of tissue anchoring members; a flexible member interconnecting said anchoring members; a channel means extending over a length of each anchoring member; and a needle means positioned in each channel means.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
19 words
The device of claims 2, wherein each channel tapers in the direction of the penetration end of said needles.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 26 or 27, wherein each channel has an essentially uniform cross section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 26, 27 or 28, wherein each needle includes a shoulder for engaging an end of said anchoring member opposite the penetration end.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
18 words
The device of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein said flexible member comprises a resorbable suture.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
28 words
The device of any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein said anchoring members include a plurality of barb-like portions disposed along a length of said anchoring member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
79 words
A tissue tear repair device for repairing a torn tissue, comprising: a pair of tissue connecting members, each of said connecting members having a penetration end, an opposite trailing end distal said penetration end, and a channel that extends the length of said connecting member; a plurality of barb-like portions disposed along each of said connecting members for retaining said connecting member in the torn tissue; and a flexible member extending between said connecting member adjacent said trailing ends.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A surgical instrument as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25 including a fastener with a channel, the engaging means being positionable in the channel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
A surgical instrument as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25 including a tissue repair device as claimed in claim 26 or 32.