US6613059B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tissue connector apparatus and methods
Assignee: Coalescent Surgical Inc
•
Filing: 1999-03-01
•
Granted: 2003-09-02
•
Expires: 2019-03-01
Abstract
Abstract Tissue connector assemblies having at least two piercing members, each releaseably coupled to a surgical fastener such as a surgical clip. A flexible member such as a suture may be used to couple one or both piercing members to respective ends of the fastener.
Inventors
- 👤 Laurent Schaller
- 👤 Barry Gardiner
- 👤 Art Hill
- 👤 John Nguyen
- 👤 Liem Ho
- 👤 Isidro Matias Gandionco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/064; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/06; A61B17/0644; A61B17/11; A61B17/06004; A61B2017/06009; A61B2017/06057; A61B2017/1107; A61B2017/1135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 101
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a surgical fastener having an unbiased loop configuration, a first tissue piercing member and a second tissue piercing member, said surgical fastener having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first tissue piercing member being coupled to said first end portion and said second tissue piercing member being coupled to said second end portion, further including a flexible member, said flexible member having a first end portion coupled to said first tissue piercing member and a second end portion coupled to said first end portion of said fastener.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a surgical fastener having an unbiased loop configuration, a first tissue piercing member and a second tissue piercing member, said surgical fastener having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first tissue piercing member being coupled to said first end portion and said second tissue piercing member being coupled to said second end portion, further including a flexible member, said flexible member having a first end portion coupled to said first tissue piercing member and a second end portion coupled to said first end portion of said fastener.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 1 further including a second flexible member, said second flexible member having a first end portion coupled to said second tissue piercing member and a second end portion coupled to said second end portion of said fastener.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 2 wherein said first flexible member comprises a suture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 2 wherein each of said flexible members comprises a suture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 2 wherein at least one of said flexible members comprises metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said flexible member comprises a suture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said flexible member comprises metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said tissue piercing members comprises a needle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said tissue piercing members comprises a needle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 1 further including a coupling, said first tissue piercing member and said end portion of said surgical fastener being coupled to said coupling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 10 wherein said coupling comprises a tubular member having movable portions and said surgical fastener includes an enlarged portion adapted for receipt in said movable portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 11 wherein said enlarged portion is spherical.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 11 wherein said movable portions comprise a plurality of strands.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 13 wherein a plurality of said strands include a notch for receiving a portion of said enlarged portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 13 wherein said strands comprise wires.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 13 wherein said strands comprise cables.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 10 including a second coupling, said surgical fastener second end portion second piercing member being coupled to said second coupling.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 17 wherein said surgical fastener includes an enlarged portion and said second coupling comprises a generally tubular member having movable portions adapted to receive at least a portion of said second portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 18 wherein said movable portions comprise a plurality of strands.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 18 wherein a plurality of said strands include a notch for receiving a portion of said enlarged portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 17 wherein said second coupling releases the coupling between said second piercing member and said surgical fastener in response to releasing said fastener first end portion coupling.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
76 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 17 further including a coil surrounding said surgical fastener and wherein said fastener includes first and second enlarged portions and said fastener first end portion coupling and said second coupling are adapted for receipt of said fastener first and second enlarged portions, respectively, said second coupling including members having portions that have a radially outward bias and extend within said coil when said coil is compressed against said second coupling.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 17 wherein said fastener includes a groove and projection and said second coupling includes a member having a groove and projection and a sleeve slidably mounted thereon, said fastener groove and projection being configured to mate with said coupling member groove and projection.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 17 further including a flexible member having a portion coupled to said second tissue piercing member and a knotted portion, said second coupling including a tubular member having a bore, said knotted portion being in said bore and said bore having a portion with a diameter less than that of a section of said knotted portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 17 wherein said second coupling comprises an annular blade coupled to said second piercing member, said annular blade surrounding and being secured to a portion of said surgical fastener.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said surgical fastener comprises a surgical clip.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 26 wherein said surgical clip comprises a wire.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 27 further including a coil surrounding at least a portion of said wire and having confined ends.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 28 wherein said wire comprises shape memory material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 29 wherein said surgical clip has an open configuration and a closed configuration.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 30 wherein said surgical clip is in said closed configuration when in a relaxed state.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 30 wherein said surgical clip is generally U-shaped when in said open configuration.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 30 wherein said surgical clip assumes a spiral configuration when in said closed configuration.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
216 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a surgical fastener having an unbiased loop configuration, a first tissue piercing member and a second tissue piercing member, said surgical fastener having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first tissue piercing member being coupled to said first end portion and said second tissue piercing member being coupled to said second end portion, said assembly further including a coupling, said first tissue piercing member and said first end portion of said surgical fastener being coupled to said coupling, said assembly including a second coupling, said surgical fastener second end portion and second piercing member being coupled to said second coupling, the assembly further including a flexible member and a coil, said flexible member having a portion coupled to said second tissue piercing member and a portion coupled to said second coupling, said coil surrounding said surgical fastener and being compressed against said second coupling, said fastener including an enlarged portion and said fastener first end portion coupling being adapted for receipt of said enlarged portion, said second coupling including a first member fixedly secured to said fastener and a second member slidably coupled to said fastener, and said flexible member being compressed between said second coupling members when said coil is compressed against said slidably coupled member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
216 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a surgical fastener having an unbiased loop configuration, a first tissue piercing member and a second tissue piercing member, said surgical fastener having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first tissue piercing member being coupled to said first end portion and said second tissue piercing member being coupled to said second end portion, said assembly further including a coupling, said first tissue piercing member and said first end portion of said surgical fastener being coupled to said coupling, said assembly including a second coupling, said surgical fastener second end portion and second piercing member being coupled to said second coupling, the assembly further including a flexible member and a coil, said flexible member having a portion coupled to said second tissue piercing member and a portion coupled to said second coupling, said coil surrounding said surgical fastener and being compressed against said second coupling, said fastener including an enlarged portion and said fastener first end portion coupling being adapted for receipt of said enlarged portion, said second coupling including a first member fixedly secured to said fastener and a second member slidably coupled to said fastener, and said flexible member being compressed between said second coupling members when said coil is compressed against said slidably coupled member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
89 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a surgical fastener having first and second end portions, a first tissue piercing member, a second tissue piercing member, and at least one flexible member having first and second end portions, said at least one flexible member first end portion being attached to said first tissue piercing member, said at least one flexible member second end portion being coupled to said first end portion of said surgical fastener, said second end portion of said surgical fastener being coupled to said second tissue piercing member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
89 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising a surgical fastener having first and second end portions, a first tissue piercing member, a second tissue piercing member, and at least one flexible member having first and second end portions, said at least one flexible member first end portion being attached to said first tissue piercing member, said at least one flexible member second end portion being coupled to said first end portion of said surgical fastener, said second end portion of said surgical fastener being coupled to said second tissue piercing member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 35 wherein said at least one flexible member comprises a suture.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 35 wherein said at least one flexible member comprises metal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 35 further including a coupling, said flexible member and surgical fastener being secured to said coupling.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 38 wherein said coupling and flexible member have outer surfaces, said coupling and flexible member being configured to form a smooth, continuous transition there between along said outer surfaces.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 38 wherein said coupling and flexible member form an interface, at least a portion of each of said coupling and flexible member adjacent to said interface having the same cross-sectional shape and dimension.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 38 wherein said coupling and flexible member have essentially the same cross-sectional shape and dimension.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 38 wherein said surgical fastener is releasably coupled to said coupling.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 38 wherein said surgical fastener includes an enlarged portion and said coupling comprises a tubular member having movable portions adapted to receive at least a portion of said enlarged portion.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 43 wherein said enlarged portion is spherical.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 43 wherein said movable portions comprises a plurality of strands.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 45 wherein a plurality of said strands include a notch for receiving a portion of said enlarged portion.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 45 wherein said strands comprise wires.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 45 wherein said strands comprise cables.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 38 including a second coupling, said surgical fastener second end portion and second piercing member being coupled to said second coupling.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 49 wherein said surgical fastener includes a first and second enlarged portion and each of said couplings comprise a generally tubular member having movable portions adapted to receive at least a portion of one of said enlarged portion.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 50 wherein said movable portions comprise a plurality of strands.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 50 wherein a plurality of said strands include a notch for receiving a portion of said enlarged portions.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 49 wherein said second coupling releases the coupling between said second piercing member and said surgical fastener in response to releasing said fastener first end portion coupling.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
74 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 49 further including a coil surrounding said surgical fastener and wherein said fastener includes first and second enlarged portions and said fastener first end portion coupling and said second coupling are adapted for receipt of said fastener first and second enlarged portions, respectively, said second coupling including member that are biased radially outward with portions extending within said coil when said coil is compressed against said second coupling.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
114 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 49 further including a second flexible member and a coil, said second flexible member having a portion coupled to said second tissue piercing member and a portion coupled to said second coupling, said coil surrounding said surgical fastener and being compressed against said second coupling, said fastener including an enlarged portion and said fastener first end portion coupling being adapted for receipt of said enlarged portion, said second coupling including a first member fixedly secured to said fastener and a second member slidably coupled to said fastener, and said flexible member being compressed between said second coupling members when said coil is compressed against said slidably coupled member.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
49 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 49 wherein said fastener includes a groove and projection and said second coupling includes a member having a groove and projection and a sleeve slidably mounted thereon, said fastener groove and projection being configured to mate with said coupling member groove and projection.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
63 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 49 further including a second flexible member having a portion coupled to said second tissue piercing member and a knotted portion, said second coupling including a tubular member having a bore, said knotted portion being in said bore and said bore having a portion with a diameter less than that of a section of said knotted portion.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 49 wherein said second coupling comprises an annular blade coupled to said second piercing member, said annular blade surrounding and being secured to a portion of said surgical fastener.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 35 wherein said surgical fastener comprises a surgical clip.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 59 wherein said surgical clip comprises a wire.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 60 further including a coil surrounding at least a portion of said wire and having confined ends.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector of claim 61 wherein said wire comprises shape memory material.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 62 wherein said surgical clip has an open configuration and a closed configuration.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 63 wherein said surgical clip is in said closed configuration when in a relaxed state.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 63 wherein said surgical clip is generally U-shaped when in said open configuration.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 63 wherein said surgical clip assumes a spiral configuration when in said closed configuration.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising two needles, a surgical clip and a flexible member having a portion releaseably coupled to said surgical clip and a portion coupled to one of said needles, the other one of said needles being coupled to said surgical clip.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tissue connector assembly comprising two needles, a surgical clip and a flexible member having a portion releaseably coupled to said surgical clip and a portion coupled to one of said needles, the other one of said needles being coupled to said surgical clip.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 67 further comprising a second flexible member having a portion releaseably coupled to said surgical clip and a portion coupled to said other one of said needles.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 67 , wherein said surgical clip comprises a wire and said assembly further includes a coil surrounding at lest a portion of said wire and having confined ends.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tissue connector assembly of claim 69 wherein said wire comprises shape memory material and has an open configuration and a closed configuration in the form of a loop.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of setting a tissue connector assembly including a surgical fastener and multiple discrete tissue piercing members coupled thereto comprising manipulating a single portion of the tissue connector assembly to both release the tissue piercing members from the fastener and actuate closure of the fastener.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of setting a tissue connector assembly including a surgical fastener and multiple discrete tissue piercing members coupled thereto comprising manipulating a single portion of the tissue connector assembly to both release the tissue piercing members from the fastener and actuate closure of the fastener.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of securing portions of material together, at least one of which comprises tissue, the method comprising placing at least a portion of a first piercing member, having a surgical fastener coupled thereto, in a vessel lumen, placing at least a portion of a second piercing member, which also is coupled to the surgical fastener and where at least one of the piercing members is coupled to the surgical fastener with a flexible member, in a tubular graft, passing the first piercing member through the wall of the vessel from an interior surface thereof, passing the second piercing member through the wall of the tubular graft from an interior surface thereof, and positioning the fastener with one portion thereof extending through said vessel wall and another portion extending through said graft wall.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of securing portions of material together, at least one of which comprises tissue, the method comprising placing at least a portion of a first piercing member, having a surgical fastener coupled thereto, in a vessel lumen, placing at least a portion of a second piercing member, which also is coupled to the surgical fastener and where at least one of the piercing members is coupled to the surgical fastener with a flexible member, in a tubular graft, passing the first piercing member through the wall of the vessel from an interior surface thereof, passing the second piercing member through the wall of the tubular graft from an interior surface thereof, and positioning the fastener with one portion thereof extending through said vessel wall and another portion extending through said graft wall.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 72 wherein the flexible member is selected to be a suture.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 72 wherein all of the at least one flexible member and the piercing members are removed from the fastener.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
106 words
Tissue connector apparatus for connecting at least two structures, said apparatus comprising: a surgical clip adapted to connect the at least two structures together, said clip having first and second end portions and being constructed for movement from an open configuration to a closed configuration; a flexible member having a first end and a second end, said second end coupled to said first end portion of said surgical clip; a first needle secured to said first end of said flexible member; and a second needle having a first end and a second end, said second needle second end being coupled to said surgical clip second portion.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
106 words
Tissue connector apparatus for connecting at least two structures, said apparatus comprising: a surgical clip adapted to connect the at least two structures together, said clip having first and second end portions and being constructed for movement from an open configuration to a closed configuration; a flexible member having a first end and a second end, said second end coupled to said first end portion of said surgical clip; a first needle secured to said first end of said flexible member; and a second needle having a first end and a second end, said second needle second end being coupled to said surgical clip second portion.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 75 wherein said clip is adapted to connect structures selected from the group consisting of tissue, prostheses, and graft materials.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 75 wherein said clip comprises a wire.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 77 wherein said wire comprises nitinol.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 75 further including a coil surrounding at least a portion of said clip.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 79 further including a coil restraint at one of the end portions of said clip for limiting movement of said coil relative to said clip.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 80 wherein said clip has an enlarged portion which forms said coil restraint.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 80 further including a second coil restraint at said second end portion of said clip for limiting relative movement between said coil and said clip.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 82 wherein said restraints each form an enlarged portion on said clip.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 82 wherein said coil has first and second ends, at least one end of said coil being slidably movable along said clip.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 82 further comprising a coupling that releasably couples said clip first end portion to said flexible member.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 85 further comprising a second coupling that releasably couples said clip second end portion to said second needle.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 82 further including a second flexible member, said second flexible member being secured to said second needle and releasably coupled to said clip.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 87 wherein said first and second flexible members each comprise a suture.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
47 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 87 , further comprising first and second couplings, said second coupling releasably coupling said clip second end portion to said second flexible member and said first coupling releasably coupling said clip first end portion to the other of said flexible members.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 89 wherein said surgical clip comprises shape memory material and is adapted to assume said closed configuration.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
150 words
Tissue connector apparatus comprising a surgical clip, first and second needles each having first and second end portions, first and second couplings, and first and second flexible members, said surgical clip adapted to connect at least two structures together and constructed for movement from an open configuration to a closed configuration, said surgical clip having first and second end portions, said first coupling being releasably coupled to said first end portion of said surgical clip and said second coupling being releasably coupled to said second end portion of said surgical clip, said first flexible member having a first end portion coupled to said first coupling and a second end portion secured to said second end portion of said first needle, and said second flexible member having a first end portion coupled to said second coupling and a second end portion secured to said second end portion of said second needle.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
150 words
Tissue connector apparatus comprising a surgical clip, first and second needles each having first and second end portions, first and second couplings, and first and second flexible members, said surgical clip adapted to connect at least two structures together and constructed for movement from an open configuration to a closed configuration, said surgical clip having first and second end portions, said first coupling being releasably coupled to said first end portion of said surgical clip and said second coupling being releasably coupled to said second end portion of said surgical clip, said first flexible member having a first end portion coupled to said first coupling and a second end portion secured to said second end portion of said first needle, and said second flexible member having a first end portion coupled to said second coupling and a second end portion secured to said second end portion of said second needle.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 91 wherein said surgical clip comprises shape memory material and is adapted to assume a loop configuration.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tissue connector apparatus of claim 91 including a coil surrounding at least a portion of said surgical clip and being restrained between said first and second couplings.
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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) | 2006-09-01 | 2007-03-03 | 2007-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-01 | 2011-03-03 | 2011-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-01 | 2015-03-03 | 2015-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |