Patent US6607541B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6607541B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tissue connector apparatus and methods
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 1998-06-03
•
Granted: 2003-08-19
•
Expires: 2018-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A tissue connector assembly having a flexible member and a surgical clip releasably coupled to the flexible member. A needle may be secured to one end portion of the flexible member with the surgical clip coupled to the other end portion of the flexible member. A locking device may be used to couple the flexible member to the surgical clip. A method for connecting tissues is also disclosed. The method includes drawing tissue portions together with a clip assembly and securing the tissue portions together with the clip assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry Gardiner
- 👤 Laurent Schaller
- 👤 Isidro Matias Gandionco
- 👤 John Nguyen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/064; A61B17/0644; A61B17/11; A61B17/06004; A61B2017/06009; A61B2017/06057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 89
Claim 1
Independent Claim
38 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a flexible member, a coupling with a release mechanism, and a surgical clip, said surgical clip being releasably coupled to said flexible member through said coupling, wherein said flexible member comprises a suture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a flexible member, a coupling with a release mechanism, and a surgical clip, said surgical clip being releasably coupled to said flexible member through said coupling, wherein said flexible member comprises a suture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 1 further including a needle, said needle being coupled to said flexible member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 2 further including a tapered portion extending between said surgical clip and flexible member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 3 wherein said tapered portion is curved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said coupling with release mechanism comprises a locking device, said locking device having a locked position where said surgical clip is coupled to said flexible member and an unlocked position where said surgical clip is released from said flexible member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said surgical clip comprises a wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 6 wherein said wire is tubular.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 7 wherein said wire has a generally circular transverse cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector of claim 7 wherein said wire comprises shape memory material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 7 wherein said wire has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an elongated member therebetween, said first end portion being coupled to said flexible member, said second end portion having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said elongated member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 2 wherein said surgical clip has an open configuration and a closed configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 11 wherein said surgical clip is generally U-shaped when in said open configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 12 wherein said surgical clip assumes a spiral configuration when in said closed configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 13 wherein said surgical clip spirals around a central longitudinal axis, said surgical clip having a generally conical shape along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 14 wherein said surgical clip has an inner end portion and an outer end portion, said inner end portion having a smaller radius than said outer end portion, said inner end portion of said surgical clip being coupled to said flexible member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 12 further comprising a restraining device coupled to said clip and biasing said clip in said open configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 16 wherein said restraining device comprises a coil surrounding at least a portion of said surgical clip.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 17 wherein said coil comprises a plurality of adjacent loops, said coil being compressed with said plurality of adjacent loops being spaced closer to one another along one side of said coil than along an opposite side of said coil when said surgical clip is coupled to said flexible member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 17 wherein said surgical clip comprises shape memory material and has a stop extending therefrom, said coil being compressed against said stop so as to bias said clip from said closed configuration to said open configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 19 wherein said surgical clip comprises nitinol.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 18 wherein at least a portion of said restraining device remains on said surgical clip when said clip is released from said flexible member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 18 wherein said surgical clip comprises a tubular wire and said restraining device comprises an elongated member positioned within said wire.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 2 further including a coil surrounding at least a portion of said surgical clip.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 23 wherein said clip has a open configuration and closed configuration and a stop extending therefrom, said coil being compressed between said coupling and said stop so as to bias said clip from said closed configuration to said open configuration.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 24 wherein said surgical clip comprises shape memory material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 25 wherein said clip has an enlarged portion for engaging said coupling.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 27 further inbcluding a coil surroundinf at least a portion of said surgical clip.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 28 wherein said clip has a stop extending therfrom, said coil being compressed between said coupling and said stop so as to bias said clip from said closed configuration to said open confirmation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 29 wherein said surgical clip comprisies shape memory material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 30 wherein said clip has an enlarged portion for engaging said coupling.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 24 wherein said clip has an open configuration and closed configuration and a stop extending therefrom, said coil being compressed between said coupling and said stop so as to bias said clip from said closed configuration to said open configuration.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 25 wherein said surgical clip comprises shape memory material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 26 wherein said clip has an enlarged portion for engaging said coupling.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a flexible member and a surgical clip, said surgical clip being releasably coupled to said flexible member, said surgical clip has an open configuration and a closed configuration, said surgical clip is in said closed configuration when in a relaxed position.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a flexible member and a surgical clip, said surgical clip being releasably coupled to said flexible member, said surgical clip has an open configuration and a closed configuration, said surgical clip is in said closed configuration when in a relaxed position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 28 further including a coil surrounding at least a portion of said surgical clip.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 32 further comprising a coil surrounding at least a portion of said surgical clip.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
46 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 37 wherein said clip had an open configuration and closed configuration and a stop extending therefrom, said coil being compressed between said coupling and said stop so as to bias said clip from said closed configuration to said open configuration.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 38 wherein said surgical clip comprises shape memory material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 39 wherein said clip has an enlarged portion for engaging said coupling.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
53 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising: a flexible member; a surgical clip; and a coupling with a release mechanism between said flexible member and said surgical clip, where said surgical clip and said flexible member are releasably coupled through said release mechanism, further including a needle, said neddle being coupled to said flexible member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
53 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising: a flexible member; a surgical clip; and a coupling with a release mechanism between said flexible member and said surgical clip, where said surgical clip and said flexible member are releasably coupled through said release mechanism, further including a needle, said neddle being coupled to said flexible member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 41 , wherein said flexible member comprises a suture.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 41 , further including a tapered portion extending between said surgical clip and flexible member.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 43 , wherein said tapered portion is curved.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 41 , wherein said release mechanism is a locking device having a locked position where said surgical clip is coupled to said flexible member and an unlocked position where said surgical clip is released from said flexible member.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 41 , wherein said surgical clip comprises a wire.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 46 , wherein said wire is tubular.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 46 , wherein said wire has a generally circular transverse cross-section.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tissue connector of claim 46 , wherein said wire comprises shape memory material.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
52 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 42 , wherein aid wire has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an elongated member therebetween, said first end portion being coupled to said flexible member, said second end portion having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said elongated member.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 41 further including a coil surrounding at least a portion of said surgical clip.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
46 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 51 wherein said clip has an open configuration and closed configuration and a stop extending therefrom, said coil being compressed between said coupling and said stop so as to bias said clip from said closed configuration to said open configuration.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 52 wherein said surgical clip comprises shape memory material.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tissue connector of assembly claim 53 wherein said clip has an enlarged portion for engaging said coupling.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a flexible member, a coupling, and a self-closing surgical clip, said surgical clip being releasably coupled to said flexible member through said coupling.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a flexible member, a coupling, and a self-closing surgical clip, said surgical clip being releasably coupled to said flexible member through said coupling.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 55 , wherein said surgical clip has an open configuration and a closed configuration.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 56 , wherein said surgical clip is in said closed configuration when in a relaxed position.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 56 , wherein said surgical clip is generally U-shaped when in said open configuration.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 56 , wherein said surgical clip assumes a spiral configuration when in said closed configuration.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
30 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 59 , wherein said surgical clip spirals around a central longitudinal axis, said surgical clip having a generally conical shape along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
49 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 60 , wherein said surgical clip has an inner end portion and an outer end portion, said inner end portion having a smaller radius than said outer end portion, said inner end portion of said surgical clip being coupled to said flexible member.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 58 , further comprising a restraining device coupled to said clip and biasing said clip in said open configuration.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 62 , wherein said restraining device comprises a coil surrounding at least a portion of said surgical clip.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
57 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 63 , wherein said coil comprises a plurality of adjacent loops, said coil being compressed with said plurality of adjacent loops being spaced closer to one another along one side of said coil than along an opposite side of said coil when said surgical clip is coupled to said flexible member.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 63 wherein said surgical clip comprises shape memory material and has a stop extending therefrom, said coil being compressed against said stop so as to bias said clip from said closed configuration to said open configuration.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 65 wherein said surgical clip comprises nitinol.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 62 , wherein at least a portion of said restraining device remains on said surgical clip when said clip is released from said flexible member.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 62 , wherein said surgical clip comprises a tubular wire and said restraining device comprises an elongated member positioned within said wire.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 55 further including a coil surrounding at least a portion of said surgical clip.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
46 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 69 wherein said clip has an open configuration and closed configuration and a stop extending therefrom, said coil being compressed between said coupling and said stop so as to bias said clip from said closed configuration to said open configuration.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 70 wherein said surgical clip comprises shape memory material.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 71 wherein said clip has an enlarged portion for engaging said coupling.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
59 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a suture having first and second end portions, a needle secured to one of said end portions, and a surgical clip coupled to the other of said end portions, where said clip has an open configuration and a closed configuration, and where said clip moves to said closed configuration when uncoupled from said suture.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
59 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a suture having first and second end portions, a needle secured to one of said end portions, and a surgical clip coupled to the other of said end portions, where said clip has an open configuration and a closed configuration, and where said clip moves to said closed configuration when uncoupled from said suture.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 73 , wherein said clip comprises a wire.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 74 , wherein said wire comprises shape memory material.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 73 , wherein said clip is generally U-shaped when in said open configuration.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 73 further including a coil surrounding at least a portion of said surgical clip.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
39 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 77 wherein said clip has a stop extending therefrom, said coil being compressed between said coupling and said stop so as to bias said clip from said closed configuration to said open configuration.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 78 wherein said surgical clip comprises shape memory material.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 79 wherein said clip has an enlarged portion for engaging said coupling.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a suture having first and second end portions, a surgical clip comprising shape memory material, and a needle, said needle being secured to one of said end portions and said surgical clip being coupled to the other of said end portions, further including a coupling, said suture being releasably coupled to said surgical clip through said coupling.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a suture having first and second end portions, a surgical clip comprising shape memory material, and a needle, said needle being secured to one of said end portions and said surgical clip being coupled to the other of said end portions, further including a coupling, said suture being releasably coupled to said surgical clip through said coupling.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 81 further including a coil surrounding at least a portion of said surgical clip.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
46 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 82 wherein said clip has an open configuration and closed configuration and a stop extending therefrom, said coil being compressed, between said coupling and said stop so as to bias said clip from said closed configuration to said open configuration.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 83 wherein said surgical clip comprises nitinol.
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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) | 2006-08-18 | 2007-02-17 | 2007-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-18 | 2011-02-17 | 2011-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-18 | 2015-02-17 | 2015-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |