U.S. patent application number 10/386260 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for surgical coils and methods of deploying.
Invention is credited to Wardle, John L..
Application Number | 20030225420 10/386260 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28041727 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030225420 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wardle, John L. |
December 4, 2003 |
Surgical coils and methods of deploying
Abstract
Surgical coils for marking, anchoring, stapling and suturing
that can be implanted in the body by deforming it to a small cross
section profile and then sliding it through a low profile delivery
device then deployig from an embodiment of a delivery device at a
targeted site. Embodiments of surgical coils when deployed revert
back to a coiled configuration and circle tissue at the target
site. Can be deployed about attachment members, such as suture
lines, marker lines and the like for anchoring same.
Inventors: |
Wardle, John L.; (San
Clemente, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STRADLING YOCCO CARLSON & RAUTH
SUITE 1600
660 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
P.O. BOX 7680
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
28041727 |
Appl. No.: |
10/386260 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60363106 |
Mar 11, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/151 ;
606/213 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/2409 20130101;
A61F 2/07 20130101; A61B 2017/0416 20130101; A61B 10/0275 20130101;
A61B 2017/0688 20130101; A61B 2017/22061 20130101; A61B 17/0644
20130101; A61B 2090/3983 20160201; A61B 2017/061 20130101; A61F
2002/065 20130101; A61B 2017/0443 20130101; A61B 2017/0649
20130101; A61B 2017/0414 20130101; A61B 17/068 20130101; A61B
2090/3908 20160201; A61B 2090/3987 20160201; A61B 2017/00867
20130101; A61B 17/06109 20130101; A61B 17/072 20130101; A61B
2017/0409 20130101; A61B 2090/3916 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/151 ;
606/213 |
International
Class: |
A61B 017/08 |
Claims
what is claimed is:
1. A medical fastener comprising: an elongate element having a
longitudinal axis; the elongate element formed into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element
making contact in the overlapped portion; and the overlapped
portion having a circumferential overlap of at least 300
degrees.
2. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axis of
the elongate element lies substantially in a plane.
3. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the circumferential
overlap of the overlapped portion is about 300 to about 600
degrees.
4. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the enclosed
configuration of the elongate element is substantially
circular.
5. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the enclosed
configuration of the elongate element is substantially
elliptical.
6. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the elongate element has
a transverse cross section that is substantially rectangular.
7. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the elongate element has
a transverse cross section that is substantially elliptical.
8. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the elongate element
further comprises a distal end having a reduced transverse
dimension which is configured to engage a hollow portion of a
proximal end of another elongate element so as to eliminate or
reduce relative transverse movement between the proximal end and
distal end when the ends are engaged.
9. The medical fastener of claim 8 wherein the distal end of the
elongate element comprises a sharpened chisel shaped
configuration.
10. The medical fastener of claim 9 wherein the proximal end of the
elongate elment comprises a wedge shaped cut out configured to
engage the chisel shaped configuration of the the distal end.
11. The medical fastener of claim 8 wherein the elongate elment has
a major transverse dimension of about 0.01 inch to about 0.100
inch.
12. The medical fastener of claim 11 wherein the elonagate element
has a minor transverse dimension of about 0.005 inch to about 0.050
inch.
13. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the elongate element is
comprised of a solid material.
14. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the elongate element is
hollow with a longitudinal lumen extending from a distal end of the
elongate member to a proximal end of the elongate member.
15. The medical fastener of claim 10 wherein the wedge is
configured to protect the sharp distal tip of the elongate
member.
16. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the elongate element
further comprises an interlocking configuration.
17. The medical fastener of claim 16 wherein the elongate element
further comprises a longitudinal groove in a first surface of the
elongate element and a longitudinal ridge, configured to mate with
the longitudinal groove on a second surface opposite the first
surface.
18. The medical fastener of claim 1 wherein the elongate element is
comprised of a material that is configured to self-forming from a
constrained substantially straightened state to the enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element
making contact in the overlapped portion.
19. A medical fastener comprising: an elongate element having a
longitudinal axis; the elongate element formed into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element
making contact in the overlapped portion; the overlapped portion
having a circumferential overlap of at least 300 degrees; and the
longitudinal axis of the elongate element lying substantially in a
plane.
20. The medical fastener of claim 19 wherein the circumferential
overlap of the overlapped portion is about 300 to about 600
degrees.
21. The medical fastener of claim 19 wherein the enclosed
configuration of the elongate element is substantially
circular.
22. The medical fastener of claim 19 wherein the enclosed
configuration of the elongate element is substantially
elliptical.
23. The medical fastener of claim 19 wherein the elongate element
has a transverse cross section that is substantially
rectangular.
24. The medical fastener of claim 19 wherein the elongate element
further comprises a distal end having a reduced transverse
dimension which is configured to engage a hollow portion of a
proximal end of another elongate element so as to eliminate or
reduce relative transverse movement between the proximal end and
distal end when the ends are engaged.
25. The medical fastener of claim 24 wherein the distal end of the
elongate element comprises a sharpened chisel shaped
configuration.
26. The medical fastener of claim 25 wherein the proximal end of
the elongate elment comprises a wedge shaped cut out configured to
engage the chisel shaped configuration of the the distal end.
27. The medical fastener of claim 23 wherein the elongate elment
has a major transverse dimension of about 0.01 inch to about 0.100
inch.
28. The medical fastener of claim 27 wherein the elonagate element
has a minor transverse dimension of about 0.005 inch to about 0.050
inch.
29. The medical fastener of claim 19 wherein the elongate element
is comprised of a solid material.
30. The medical fastener of claim 19 wherein the elongate element
is hollow with a longitudinal lumen extending from a distal end of
the elongate member to a proximal end of the elongate member.
31. The medical fastener of claim 26 wherein the wedge is
configured to protect the sharp distal tip of the elongate
member.
32. The medical fastener of claim 19 wherein the elongate element
further comprises an interlocking configuration.
33. The medical fastener of claim 32 wherein the elongate element
further comprises a longitudinal groove in a first surface of the
elongate element and a longitudinal ridge, configured to mate with
the longitudinal groove on a second surface opposite the first
surface.
34. The medical fastener of claim 19 wherein the elongate element
is comprised of a material that is configured to self-forming from
a constrained substantially straightened state to the enclosed
configuration with the overlapped portion of the elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
35. A surgical marker for marking a position within the body of a
patient comprising: an elongate element having a longitudinal axis
and formed into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped
portion with the elongate element making contact in the overlapped
portion; and a contrast material in contact with the elongate
element.
36. The surgical marker of claim 35 wherein the overlapped portion
has a circumferential overlap of at least 300 degrees.
37. The surgical marker of claim 35 wherein the elonate element
comprises at least one cavity disposed therein.
38. The surgical marker of claim 37 wherein the elonate element
comprises a hollow transverse cross section forming the at least
one cavity therein.
39. The surgical marker of claim 37 wherein the cavity is
enclosed.
40. The surgical marker of claim 37 wherein the cavity contains a
bioactive agent for delivery to adjacent tissue.
41. The surgical marker of claim 37 wherein the cavity contains the
image constrast material.
42. The surgical marker of claim 35 wherein the image contrast
material comprises a radiopaque material.
43. The surgical marker of claim 35 wherein the image contrast
material comprises ultrasound contrast material.
44. The surgical marker of claim 35 wherein the image contrast
material comprises MRI contrast material.
45. The surgical marker of claim 35 wherein the elongate element is
comprised of a material that is configured to self-forming from a
constrained substantially straightened state to the enclosed
configuration with the overlapped portion of the elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
46. A surgical marker for marking a position within the body of a
patient, comprising: an elongate element having a longitudinal axis
and formed into an enclosed configuration with a distal end engaged
with a proximal end of the elongate element; and a contrast
material in contact with the elongate element.
47. The surgical marker of claim 46 wherein the distal end
comprises a wedge shaped pointed tip which is engaged with a wedge
shaped cut out in the proximal end of the elongate member.
48. The surgical marker of claim 46 wherein the elonate element has
a at least one cavity disposed therein.
49. The surgical marker of claim 48 wherein the elonate element has
a hollow transverse cross section forming the at least one cavity
therein.
50. The surgical marker of claim 48, wherein the cavity is
enclosed.
51. The surgical marker of claim 48 wherein the cavity contains a
bioactive agent for delivery to adjacent tissue.
52. The surgical marker of claim 48 wherein the cavity contains
image constrast material.
53. The surgical marker of claim 46 wherein the image contrast
material comprises a radiopaque material.
54. The surgical marker of claim 46 wherein the image contrast
material comprises ultrasound contrast material.
55. The surgical marker of claim 46 wherein the image contrast
material comprises MRI image contrast material.
56. The surgical marker of claim 46 wherein the elongate element is
comprised of a material that is configured to self-forming from a
constrained and substantially straightened state to the enclosed
configuration with the distal end engaged with the proximal end of
the elongate element.
57. A delivery device for deployment of a surgical coil,
comprising: an elongate delivery sheath having a proximal end and a
distal end; an actuator body secured to a proximal portion of the
elongate delivery sheath; a first ratchet member in substantially
fixed relation with the actuator body having a grip feature
configured to engage an advancing ribbon for prevent substantial
proximal motion of the advancing ribbon relative to the delivery
sheath; an actuator slidingly engaged with the actuator body; a
second ratchet member having a grip feature configured to engage
the advancing ribbon and being moveable with the actuator; and an
advancing ribbon configured to apply axial force on an elongate
element within the delivery sheath.
58. The delivery device of claim 57 wherein the actuator is
configured to slide relative to the actuator body a length equal to
or greater than a length of an elongate element of a surgical coil
to be deployed.
59. The delivery device of claim 57 wherein the delivery sheath
comprises a cannula with a sharpened distal tip.
60. The delivery device of claim 59 wherein the cannula comprises a
stainless steel hypodermic tube with a sharpened distal tip
configured to penetrate tissue.
61. The delivery device of claim 57 wherein the delivery sheath has
a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.
62. The delivery device of claim 57 further comprising a surgical
coil cassette having a plurality of surgical coils disposed therein
and wherein the actuator body has an aperture configured to receive
the surgical coil cassette and load surgical coils into the
delivery sheath in serial.
63. The delivery device of claim 62 wherein the surgical coil
cassette comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots for
individually storing a plurality of surgical coils in a constrained
substantially, straight configuration and a plurality of biasing
springs coupled to the cassette for advancing the cassette after
each surgical coil is loaded from the cassette into the delivery
sheath.
64. The delivery device of claim 57 wherein the distal end of the
delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member for forming
an elongate element into an enclosed configuration with an
overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with
itself in the overlapped portion.
65. A method for deploying a surgical coil in a patient's body,
comprising: positioning a distal end of a delivery sheath adjacent
a deployment site; axially advancing a surgical coil through the
delivery sheath, out of a distal port of the delivery sheath and
into target tissue; and continuing to advance the surgical coil
into the target tissue allowing an elongate element of the surgical
coil to self-form into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped
portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the
overlapped portion.
66. The method of claim 65 wherein the the elongate element
self-forms into a closed configuration having a circumferential
overlap of at least about 300 degrees.
67. The method of claim 65 wherein an element axis of the elongate
element forms an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a coil
axis.
68. The method of claim 65 wherein the elongate element is advanced
from the delivery sheath until a proximal end of the elongate
element is ejected from the delivery sheath and the surgical coil
is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected from the
delivery sheath.
69. The method of claim 65 wherein the delivery sheath is
configured to constrain the elongate element to a substantially
straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the
deliver sheath.
70. A method for deploying a surgical coil in a patient's body,
comprising: positioning a distal end of a delivery sheath adjacent
a deployment site; axially advancing a surgical coil through the
delivery sheath until a distal end of an elongate element of the
surgical coil contacts a coil forming member; and continuing to
advance the elongate member past the coil forming member and into
the target tissue with the coil forming member shaping the elongate
element into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion
with the elongate element making contact with itself in the
overlapped portion.
71. The method of claim 70 wherein the elongate element is advanced
from the delivery sheath until the surgical coil has a
circumferential overlap of at least about 300 degrees.
72. The method of claim 70 wherein the elongate element is advanced
from the delivery sheath until a proximal end of the elongate
element is ejected from the delivery sheath and the surgical coil
is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected from the
delivery sheath.
73. The method of claim 70 wherein the coil forming member
comprises a bent distal tip of the delivery sheath.
74. A delivery device for simultaneous deployment of a plurality of
surgical coils, comprising: a delivery sheath housing; a plurality
of delivery sheaths oriented and stabilized by the delivery sheath
housing with each delivery sheath having a proximal end and a
distal end; and plungers disposed within a a plurality of the
delivery sheaths; and an actuator for applying axial force to
advancing members that are axially translatable with respect to the
delivery sheaths for distally advancing surgical coils disposed
within the delivery sheaths.
75. The delivery device of claim 74 wherein the actuator is
configured to slide relative to the delivery sheath a length equal
to or greater than a length of an elongate element of a surgical
coil to be deployed.
76. The delivery device of claim 74 wherein the delivery sheaths
comprise a cannulas with sharpened distal tips.
77. The delivery device of claim 76 wherein the cannulas comprise
stainless steel hypodermic tubes with a sharpened distal tips
configured to penetrate tissue.
78. The delivery device of claim 74 wherein the delivery sheaths
have a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.
79. The delivery device of claim 74 wherein the distal end of at
least one delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member
for forming an elongate element of a surgical coil into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
80. The delivery device of claim 74 wherein the delivery sheath
housing is a substantially tubular member with the delivery sheaths
evenly spread about a wall of the tubular member and a longitudinal
axis of the delivery sheaths is substantially parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the tubular member.
81. The delivery device of claim 74 wherin the delivery sheath
housing is a cylinder and the delivery sheaths are evenly spread
about an outer perimiter of the cylinder and a longitudinal axis of
the delivery sheaths is substantially parallel to a longitudinal
axis of the cylinder.
82. The delivery device of claim 74 wherein the delivery sheaths
are arranged in two substantially parallel rows within the delivery
sheath housing in a rectangular configuration with a longitudinal
axis of each of the delivery sheaths being substantially parallel
to each of the other delivery sheaths.
83. A method for deploying a plurality of surgical coils in a
patient's body, comprising: positioning distal ends of a plurality
of delivery sheaths stabilized by a delivery sheath housing
adjacent a deployment site; axially advancing a plurality of
surgical coils through the delivery sheaths, out of distal ports of
the delivery sheaths and into target tissue; and continuing to
advance the surgical coils into the target tissue allowing elongate
elements of the surgical coils to self-form into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion of each elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
84. The method of claim 83 wherein the the elongate elements
self-form into a closed configuration having a circumferential
overlap of at least about 300 degrees.
85. The method of claim 83 wherein an element axis of the elongate
elements form an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a coil
axis.
86. The method of claim 83 wherein the elongate elements are
advanced from the delivery sheaths until proximal ends of the
elongate elements are ejected from the delivery sheath and the
surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected
from the delivery sheaths.
87. The method of claim 83 wherein the delivery sheaths are
configured to constrain the elongate elements to a substantially
straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the
deliver sheaths.
88. A delivery device for closure of a wound site and simultaneous
deployment of a plurality of surgical coils across the wound,
comprising: a delivery sheath housing; a plurality of delivery
sheaths oriented and stabilized by the delivery sheath housing with
each delivery sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and a
pre-formed outward radial bias away from other delivery sheaths for
at least one distal end thereof; an outer sheath slidably disposed
over at least a portion of the delivery sheath housing and delivery
sheaths, and configured to constrain an outward radial displacement
of the at least one distal end with the pre-formed bias when the
outer sheath is disposed about the distal end with the pre-formed
bias and to allow outward radial displacement of the distal end
with the pre-formed bias when not disposed thereabout; plungers
disposed within a plurality of the delivery sheaths for applying
axial force to the delivery sheaths for distally advancing surgical
coils disposed within the delivery sheaths.
89. The delivery device of claim 88 wherein the plungers are
configured to slide relative to the delivery sheaths a length equal
to or greater than a length of an elongate element of surgical
coils to be deployed.
90. The delivery device of claim 88 wherein the delivery sheaths
comprise a cannulas with sharpened distal tips.
91. The delivery device of claim 90 wherein the cannulas comprise
stainless steel hypodermic tubes with a sharpened distal tips
configured to penetrate tissue.
92. The delivery device of claim 88 wherein the delivery sheaths
have a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.
93. The delivery device of claim 88 wherein the distal end of at
least one delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member
for forming an elongate element of a surgical coil into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
94. The delivery device of claim 88 wherin the delivery sheath
housing is a cylinder and the delivery sheaths are evenly spread
about an outer perimiter of the cylinder and a longitudinal axis of
the delivery sheaths is substantially parallel to a longitudinal
axis of the cylinder.
95. A method for forcing a wound closed and deploying a plurality
of surgical coils across the wound to maintain closure, comprising:
positioning distal ends of a plurality of delivery sheaths
stabilized by a delivery sheath housing adjacent a deployment site
with an outer sheath disposed about at least a portion of the
delivery sheaths and delivery sheath housing in a proximally
retracted position; advancing the distal ends of the delivery
sheaths into target tissue at the deployment site with at least one
delivery sheath disposed on either side of the wound; advancing the
outer sheath distally in order tot reduce an outward radial
displacement of a distal end of at least one of the delivery
sheaths thereby reducing the distance between the distal ends of at
least two delivery sheaths and at least partially closing the
wound; axially advancing a plurality of surgical coils through the
delivery sheaths, out of distal ports of the delivery sheaths and
into target tissue; and continuing to advance the surgical coils
into the target tissue allowing elongate elements of the surgical
coils to self-form into an enclosed configuration with an
overlapped portion of each elongate element making contact with
itself in the overlapped portion.
96. The method of claim 95 wherein the the elongate elements
self-form into a closed configuration having a circumferential
overlap of at least about 300 degrees.
97. The method of claim 95 wherein an element axis of the elongate
elements form an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a coil
axis.
98. The method of claim 95 wherein the elongate elements are
advanced from the delivery sheaths until proximal ends of the
elongate elements are ejected from the delivery sheath and the
surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected
from the delivery sheaths.
99. The method of claim 95 wherein the delivery sheaths are
configured to constrain the elongate elements to a substantially
straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the
deliver sheaths.
100. A delivery device for simultaneous deployment of a plurality
of surgical coils from within a channel, comprising: a delivery
sheath housing; a plurality of delivery sheaths oriented and
stabilized by the delivery sheath housing with each delivery sheath
having a proximal end and a distal end; an outer sheath slidably
disposed over at least a portion of the delivery sheath housing and
delivery sheaths; an expanable member disposed between distal
portions of the plurality of delivery sheaths and configured to
expand the distal portions of the delivery sheaths in an outward
radial direction when in an expanded state; and plungers disposed
within a plurality of the delivery sheaths for applying axial force
to a surgical coil within the delivery sheaths for distally
advancing surgical coil.
101. The delivery device of claim 100 wherein the plungers are
configured to slide relative to the delivery sheaths a length equal
to or greater than a length of an elongate element of surgical
coils to be deployed.
102. The delivery device of claim 100 wherein the delivery sheaths
comprise cannulas with sharpened distal tips.
103. The delivery device of claim 102 wherein the cannulas comprise
stainless steel hypodermic tubes with a sharpened distal tips
configured to penetrate tissue.
104. The delivery device of claim 100 wherein the delivery sheaths
have a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.
105. The delivery device of claim 100 wherein the distal end of at
least one delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member
for forming an elongate element of a surgical coil into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
106. The delivery device of claim 100 wherin the delivery sheath
housing is a cylinder and the delivery sheaths are evenly spread
about an outer perimiter of the cylinder and a longitudinal axis of
the delivery sheaths is substantially parallel to a longitudinal
axis of the cylinder.
107. The delivery device of claim 100 wherein the expandable member
is a balloon.
108. A method for deploying a plurality of surgical coils from
within a channel, comprising: positioning distal ends of a
plurality of delivery sheaths stabilized by a delivery sheath
housing at a deployment site within a cavity; expanding an
expandable member which is surrounded by the the plurality of
delivery sheaths until distal ends of the delivery sheaths are
disposed against target material; axially advancing a plurality of
surgical coils through the delivery sheaths, out of distal ports of
the delivery sheaths and into target material; and continuing to
advance the surgical coils into the target tissue allowing elongate
elements of the surgical coils to self-form into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion of each elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
109. The method of claim 108 wherein the the elongate elements
self-form into a closed configuration having a circumferential
overlap of at least about 300 degrees.
110. The method of claim 108 wherein an element axis of the
elongate elements form an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to
a coil axis.
111. The method of claim 108 wherein the elongate elements are
advanced from the delivery sheaths until proximal ends of the
elongate elements are ejected from the delivery sheath and the
surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected
from the delivery sheaths.
112. The method of claim 108 wherein the delivery sheaths are
configured to constrain the elongate elements to a substantially
straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the
deliver sheaths.
113. The method of claim 108 wherein expansion of the expandable
member comprises inflation of a balloon.
114. The method of claim 108 wherein the cavity comprises a body
lumen and the target material comprises tissue and further
comprising expanding the expandable member until distal ends of the
delivery sheaths are disposed against the tissue with a desired
force.
115. The method of claim 108 wherein the cavity comprises an
intracorporeal prosthesis and the target material comprises a wall
material of the prosthesis and further comprising expanding the
expandable member until distal ends of the delivery sheaths are
disposed adjacent the wall of the prosthesis.
116. A delivery device for deployment of a surgical coil and
attachment member, comprising: an elongate deployment shaft
assembly including an elongate delivery sheath having a proximal
end and a distal end, an attachment member having an attachment
loop disposed adjacent a distal port of the delivery sheath which
is configured to direct a surgical coil deployed from the distal
port to surround the attachment loop, and an outer sheath slidably
disposed about at least a portion of the delivery sheath and
attachment member; and an actuator body secured to a proximal
portion of the elongate deployment shaft including an actuator
configured to advance a surgical coil distally from the delivery
sheath.
117. The delivery device of claim 116 further comprising a first
ratchet member in substantially fixed relation with the actuator
body having a grip feature configured to engage an advancing ribbon
for prevent substantial proximal motion of the advancing ribbon
relative to the delivery sheath; an actuator slidingly engaged with
the actuator body; a second ratchet member having a grip feature
configured to engage the advancing ribbon and being moveable with
the actuator; and an advancing ribbon configured to apply axial
force on an elongate element within the delivery sheath.
118. The delivery device of claim 116 wherein the actuator is
configured to slide relative to the actuator body a length equal to
or greater than a length of an elongate element of a surgical coil
to be deployed.
119. The delivery device of claim 116 wherein the delivery sheath
comprises a cannula with a sharpened distal tip.
120. The delivery device of claim 119 wherein the cannula comprises
a stainless steel hypodermic tube with a sharpened distal tip
configured to penetrate tissue.
121. The delivery device of claim 116 wherein the deployment shaft
assembly has a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.
122. The delivery device of claim 116 further comprising a surgical
coil cassette having a plurality of surgical coils disposed therein
and wherein the actuator body has an aperture configured to receive
the surgical coil cassette and load surgical coils into the
delivery sheath in serial.
123. The delivery device of claim 122 wherein the surgical coil
cassette comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots for
individually storing a plurality of surgical coils in a constrained
substantially straight configuration and a plurality of biasing
springs coupled to the cassette for advancing the cassette after
each surgical coil is loaded from the cassette into the delivery
sheath.
124. The delivery device of claim 116 wherein the distal end of the
delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member for forming
an elongate element into an enclosed configuration with an
overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with
itself in the overlapped portion.
125. The delivery device of claim 116 wherein the attachment loop
comprises a loop formed at a distal end of single solid attachment
member.
126. The delivery device of claim 116 wherein the delivery device
further comprises two suture alignment tubes extending within the
outer sheath and having distal end ports disposed adjacent the
distal port of the delivery sheath and wherein the attachment loop
comprises a length of suture material extending between distal
ports of the suture alignment tubes.
127. The delivery device of claim 126 wherein distal ends of the
suture alignment tubes have an outward radial bias that can be
constrained by the outer sheath when the outer sheath is disposed
about said distal ends.
128. A method for deploying a surgical coil and attachment member
in a patient's body, comprising: positioning a distal end of a
deployment shaft assembly adjacent a deployment site; axially
advancing a surgical coil through a delivery sheath of the
deployment shaft assembly, out of a distal port of the delivery
sheath, into target tissue and around an attachment loop of the
attachment member; continuing to advance the surgical coil into the
target tissue allowing an elongate element of the surgical coil to
self-form into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion
with the elongate element making contact with itself in the
overlapped portion.
129. The method of claim 128 wherein the the elongate element
self-forms into a closed configuration having a circumferential
overlap of at least about 300 degrees.
130. The method of claim 128 wherein an element axis of the
elongate element forms an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to
a coil axis.
131. The method of claim 128 wherein the elongate element is
advanced from the delivery sheath until a proximal end of the
elongate element is ejected from the delivery sheath and the
surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected
from the delivery sheath and encircling the attachment loop of the
attachment member.
132. The method of claim 128 wherein the delivery sheath is
configured to constrain the elongate element to a substantially
straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the
deliver sheath.
133. The method of claim 128 further comprising proximally
withdrawing the deployment shaft assembly leaving the surgical coil
in place secured to the attachment loop.
134. The method of claim 128 wherein the deployment shaft assembly
further comprises two suture alignment tubes extending within the
outer sheath and having distal end ports disposed adjacent the
distal port of the delivery sheath and wherein the attachment loop
comprises a length of suture material extending between distal
ports of the suture alignment tubes.
135. The method of claim 134 distal ends of the suture alignment
tubes have an outward radial bias that can be constrained by the
outer sheath when the outer sheath is disposed about said distal
ends and further comprising proximally withdrawing the outer sheath
and expanding distal ends of the suture alignment tubes in an
outward radial orientation prior to deploying the surgical coil
from the distal port of the delivery sheath.
136. The method of claim 128 wherein the deployment shaft assembly
comprises a plurality of delivery sheaths and a plurality of
surgical coils are deployed about a plurality of attachment
loops.
137. The method of claim 128 further comprising pre-forming a
cavity in target tissue prior to positioning the distal end of the
deployment shaft assembly adjacent a deployment site in the cavity
and further comprising deploying the surgical coil within the
cavity such that the surgical coil is trapped in the cavity and the
attachment member extends from the cavity.
138. The method of claim 137 wherein the cavity is formed in bone
tissue and the surgical coil is deployed within and trapped by bone
tissue.
139. The method of claim 137 wherein the cavity is formed in bone
and bone marrow and the surgical coil is disposed at least
partially within bone marrow.
140. A deflectable delivery device for deployment of a surgical
coil, comprising: an elongate deployment shaft assembly including
an elongate delivery sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and
a distal end portion that can be constrained to a straightened
configuration and assumes a deflected curved configuration when the
restraint is removed, and an outer sheath slidably disposed about
at least a portion of the delivery sheath; and an actuator body
secured to a proximal portion of the elongate deployment shaft
assembly including a first actuator configured to advance the
delivery sheath relative to the outer sheath and a second actuator
configured to advance the surgical coil distally from a distal port
of the delivery sheath.
141. The delivery device of claim 140 further comprising: a first
ratchet member in substantially fixed relation with a second
actuator body having a grip feature configured to engage an
advancing ribbon for prevent substantial proximal motion of the
advancing ribbon relative to the delivery sheath; the second
actuator slidingly engaged with the second actuator body; a second
ratchet member having a grip feature configured to engage the
advancing ribbon and being moveable with the second actuator; and
an advancing ribbon configured to apply axial force on an elongate
element within the delivery sheath.
142. The delivery device of claim 141 wherein the second actuator
is configured to slide relative to the actuator body a length equal
to or greater than a length of an elongate element of a surgical
coil to be deployed.
143. The delivery device of claim 140 wherein the delivery sheath
comprises a cannula with a sharpened distal tip.
144. The delivery device of claim 143 wherein the cannula comprises
a stainless steel hypodermic tube with a sharpened distal tip
configured to penetrate tissue.
145. The delivery device of claim 140 wherein the deployment shaft
assembly has a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.
146. The delivery device of claim 140 further comprising a surgical
coil cassette having a plurality of surgical coils disposed therein
and wherein the actuator body has an aperture configured to receive
the surgical coil cassette and load surgical coils into the
delivery sheath in serial.
147. The delivery device of claim 146 wherein the surgical coil
cassette comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots for
individually storing a plurality of surgical coils in a constrained
substantially straight configuration and a plurality of biasing
springs coupled to the cassette for advancing the cassette after
each surgical coil is loaded from the cassette into the delivery
sheath.
148. The delivery device of claim 140 wherein the distal end of the
delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member for forming
an elongate element into an enclosed configuration with an
overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with
itself in the overlapped portion.
149. A method for deploying a surgical coil in a patient's body,
comprising: positioning a distal end of a deployment shaft assembly
adjacent a deployment site; activating a first actuator to advance
a delivery sheath distally from an outer sheath of the deployment
shaft assembly until a distal end of the delivery sheath extends
beyond a distal port of the outer sheath and extends in an outward
radial direction from the distal port; activating a second actuator
that axially advances a surgical coil through the delivery sheath,
out of a distal port of the delivery sheath, into target tissue;
continuing to advance the surgical coil into the target tissue
allowing an elongate element of the surgical coil to self-form into
an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the
elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped
portion.
150. The method of claim 149 wherein the the elongate element
self-forms into a closed configuration having a circumferential
overlap of at least about 300 degrees.
151. The method of claim 149 wherein an element axis of the
elongate element forms an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to
a coil axis.
152. The method of claim 149 wherein the elongate element is
advanced from the delivery sheath until a proximal end of the
elongate element is ejected from the delivery sheath and the
surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected
from the delivery sheath in a position radially displaced from a
longitudinal axis of the deployment shaft assembly.
153. The method of claim 149 wherein the delivery sheath is
configured to constrain the elongate element to a substantially
straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the
deliver sheath.
154. The method of claim 149 further comprising proximally
withdrawing the deployment shaft assembly leaving the surgical coil
in place in the target tissue.
155. The method of claim 149 wherein the deployment shaft assembly
comprises a mammatome trocar having a lateral aperture which is
positioned adjacent the deployment site by tissue penetration
during distal advancement.
156. The method fo claim 149 further comprising repeating the
surgical coil deployment with a plurality of surgical coils in
different positions which are arranged to define the boundary of a
suspect tissue mass.
157. The method of claim 156 wherein the surgical coils are
deployed in a substantially spherical configuration about a suspect
tissue mass defining a margin about the suspect tissue mass of
about 0.5 to about 1.5 cm.
158. The method of claim 149 wherein the surgical coil comprises an
image constrast material and further comprising imaging the
deployment site after deployment of a surgical coil.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/363,106, filed by John
L. Wardle on Mar. 11, 2002, titled "Surgical Coils and Methods of
Deploying" and this priority application is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Surgical stapling devices are widely used in surgical
procedures to fasten body tissue quickly and efficiently by driving
fasteners or staples into the tissue. In certain types of staplers,
a single staple is typically formed around an anvil, e.g., skin
staplers, for approximating tissue. Such staplers may employ
staples having a variety of configurations, as for example a
conventional U-shaped configuration and variations thereon.
U-shaped staples have two opposed legs connected by a linear
bridge. Therefore, the staple drivers have flat surfaces to
correspond to the linear bridge portions of the staples. When
deformed, such staples tend to form a B-shape, wherein the legs are
curved towards the bridge and the chiseled end points are in a
position to re-puncture the tissue being sutured. In such an
orientation, a significant area of the deformed leg portions is not
in extensive contact with the tissue.
[0003] In addition, suturing and suture line placement are
necessary aspects of any surgical procedures. Surgeons have
developed numerous techniques for tying sutures and placing suture
lines over the years. Endoscopic surgical procedures such as
arthroscopy, laparascopy, or thoroscopy are challenged with these
tasks because development of a knot or placement of a suture line
in a confined space is time consuming and requires great dexterity.
Currently in endoscopic procedures, either the knots need to be
tied externally to the body and inserted into the body and to the
operative site using some kind of knot pushing device, or they need
to be tied inside the body using long, instruments.
[0004] As such, what has been needed is to provide a device and
method, which, secures tissue along a greater length and does so
with a reduced tendency to re-puncture the tissue being secured.
What has also been needed are simple approaches for placing sutures
and suture lines in confined spaces. What has also been needed are
devices and methods that could also be used as sutures to attach
tissue, implant devices and surgical support materials for use in a
wider range of none invasive surgical procedures. What has also
been needed are device and methods for placing markers in tissue
that do not have any sharp exposed points and do not migrate from
the location of original deployment.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention relates to surgical coils and variety
of devices that can effectively deploy surgical coils by different
methods for a variety of clinical applications and indications.
Techniques are also disclosed for simultaneously positioning and
securing various attachment elements to surgical coils. Surgical
coils disclosed herein can be used in numerous clinical
applications including but not limited to tissue stapling, tissue
anchoring including bone and suture anchors and tissue marking.
[0006] In one embodiment having features of the invention, a
medical fastener is disclosed and includes an elongate element
having a longitudinal axis and formed into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element
making contact in the overlapped portion, the overlapped portion
having a circumferential overlap of at least 300 degrees.
[0007] In another embodiment illustrating the features of the
invention, a surgical marker for marking a position within the body
of a patient is disclosed and includes an elongate element having a
longitudinal axis and formed into an enclosed configuration with an
overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact in the
overlapped portion, and a contrast material in contact with the
elongate element.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, a delivery device for deployment
of a surgical coil is described and comprises an elongate delivery
sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, an actuator body
secured to a proximal portion of the elongate delivery sheath, a
first ratchet member in substantially fixed relation with the
actuator body having a grip feature configured to engage an
advancing ribbon for prevent substantial proximal motion of the
advancing ribbon relative to the delivery sheath, an actuator
slidingly engaged with the actuator body, a second ratchet member
having a grip feature configured to engage the advancing ribbon and
being moveable with the actuator, and an advancing ribbon
configured to apply axial force on an elongate element within the
delivery sheath.
[0009] In another embodiment, a method for deploying a surgical
coil in a patient's body is disclosed herein and includes
positioning a distal end of a delivery sheath adjacent a deployment
site, axially advancing a surgical coil through the delivery
sheath, out of a distal port of the delivery sheath and into target
tissue, and continuing to advance the surgical coil into the target
tissue allowing an elongate element of the surgical coil to
self-form into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion
with the elongate element making contact with itself in the
overlapped portion.
[0010] In still of another embodiment describing the features of
the invention, a delivery device for simultaneous deployment of a
plurality of surgical coils is disclosed and includes a delivery
sheath housing, a plurality of delivery sheaths oriented and
stabilized by the delivery sheath housing with each delivery sheath
having a proximal end and a distal end, and plungers disposed
within a a plurality of the delivery sheaths, and an actuator for
applying axial force to advancing members that are axially
translatable with respect to the delivery sheaths for distally
advancing surgical coils disposed within the delivery sheaths.
[0011] In another embodiment illustrating the features of the
invention, a method for deploying a plurality of surgical coils in
a patient's body and includes positioning distal ends of a
plurality of delivery sheaths stabilized by a delivery sheath
housing adjacent a deployment site, axially advancing a plurality
of surgical coils through the delivery sheaths, out of distal ports
of the delivery sheaths and into target tissue, and continuing to
advance the surgical coils into the target tissue allowing elongate
elements of the surgical coils to self-form into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion of each elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, a delivery device for closure of
a wound site and simultaneous deployment of a plurality of surgical
coils across the wound is describe herein and includes a delivery
sheath housing, a plurality of delivery sheaths oriented and
stabilized by the delivery sheath housing with each delivery sheath
having a proximal end, a distal end and a pre-formed outward radial
bias away from other delivery sheaths for at least one distal end
thereof, an outer sheath slidably disposed over at least a portion
of the delivery sheath housing and delivery sheaths, and configured
to constrain an outward radial displacement of the at least one
distal end with the pre-formed bias when the outer sheath is
disposed about the distal end with the pre-formed bias and to allow
outward radial displacement of the distal end with the pre-formed
bias when not disposed thereabout, plungers disposed within a
plurality of the delivery sheaths for applying axial force to the
delivery sheaths for distally advancing surgical coils disposed
within the delivery sheaths.
[0013] In another embodiment, a method for forcing a wound closed
and deploying a plurality of surgical coils across the wound to
maintain closure and includes positioning distal ends of a
plurality of delivery sheaths stabilized by a delivery sheath
housing adjacent a deployment site with an outer sheath disposed
about at least a portion of the delivery sheaths and delivery
sheath housing in a proximally retracted position, advancing the
distal ends of the delivery sheaths into target tissue at the
deployment site with at least one delivery sheath disposed on
either side of the wound, advancing the outer sheath distally in
order to reduce an outward radial displacement of a distal end of
at least one of the delivery sheaths thereby reducing the distance
between the distal ends of at least two delivery sheaths and at
least partially closing the wound, axially advancing a plurality of
surgical coils through the delivery sheaths, out of distal ports of
the delivery sheaths and into target tissue, and continuing to
advance the surgical coils into the target tissue allowing elongate
elements of the surgical coils to self-form into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion of each elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
[0014] In still another embodiment describing the features of the
invention, a delivery device for simultaneous deployment of a
plurality of surgical coils from within a channel and has a
delivery sheath housing, a plurality of delivery sheaths oriented
and stabilized by the delivery sheath housing with each delivery
sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, an outer sheath
slidably disposed over at least a portion of the delivery sheath
housing and delivery sheaths, an expanable member disposed between
distal portions of the plurality of delivery sheaths and configured
to expand the distal portions of the delivery sheaths in an outward
radial direction when in an expanded state, and plungers disposed
within a plurality of the delivery sheaths for applying axial force
to a surgical coil within the delivery sheaths for distally
advancing surgical coil.
[0015] In another embodiment, a method for deploying a plurality of
surgical coils from within a channel is disclosed and includes
positioning distal ends of a plurality of delivery sheaths
stabilized by a delivery sheath housing at a deployment site within
a cavity, expanding an expandable member which is surrounded by the
the plurality of delivery sheaths until distal ends of the delivery
sheaths are disposed against target material, axially advancing a
plurality of surgical coils through the delivery sheaths, out of
distal ports of the delivery sheaths and into target material, and
continuing to advance the surgical coils into the target tissue
allowing elongate elements of the surgical coils to self-form into
an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion of each
elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped
portion.
[0016] In still another embodiment describing the features of the
invention, a delivery device for deployment of a surgical coil and
attachment memberis disclosed which includes an elongate deployment
shaft assembly including an elongate delivery sheath having a
proximal end and a distal end, an attachment member having an
attachment loop disposed adjacent a distal port of the delivery
sheath which is configured to direct a surgical coil deployed from
the distal port to surround the attachment loop, and an outer
sheath slidably disposed about at least a portion of the delivery
sheath and attachment member, and an actuator body secured to a
proximal portion of the elongate deployment shaft configured to
advance a surgical coil distally from the delivery sheath.
[0017] In another embodiment, a method for deploying a surgical
coil and attachment member in a patient's body is described and
includes positioning a distal end of a deployment shaft assembly
adjacent a deployment site, axially advancing a surgical coil
through a delivery sheath of the deployment shaft assembly, out of
a distal port of the delivery sheath, into target tissue and around
an attachment loop of the attachment member, continuing to advance
the surgical coil into the target tissue allowing an elongate
element of the surgical coil to self-form into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
[0018] In another embodiment illustrating the features of the
invention, a deflectable delivery device for deployment of a
surgical coil is described which includes an elongate deployment
shaft assembly including an elongate delivery sheath having a
proximal end, a distal end and a distal end portion that can be
constrained to a straightened configuration and assumes a deflected
curved configuration when the restraint is removed, and an outer
sheath slidably disposed about at least a portion of the delivery
sheath, and an actuator body secured to a proximal portion of the
elongate deployment shaft assembly including a first actuator
configured to advance the delivery sheath relative to the outer
sheath and a second actuator configured to advance the surgical
coil distally from a distal port of the delivery sheath.
[0019] In another embodiment, a method for deploying a surgical
coil in a patient's body is disclosed which includes positioning a
distal end of a deployment shaft assembly adjacent a deployment
site, activating a first actuator to advance a delivery sheath
distally from an outer sheath of the deployment shaft assembly
until a distal end of the delivery sheath extends beyond a distal
port of the outer sheath and extends in an outward radial direction
from the distal port, activating a second actuator that axially
advances a surgical coil through the delivery sheath, out of a
distal port of the delivery sheath, into target tissue, continuing
to advance the surgical coil into the target tissue allowing an
elongate element of the surgical coil to self-form into an enclosed
configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element
making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.
[0020] These and other advantages of embodiments of the invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view, partially cut away, of a
surgical coil deployed within the surface of tissue holding an
incision closed.
[0022] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a perspective view of a surgical
coil having features of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a surgical coil embodiment
having about 90 degrees of circumferential overlap in the
coils.
[0024] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a surgical coil embodiment
having about 360 degrees of circumferential overlap in the
coils.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a surgical coil with no
overlap in the coils and having the distal end of the elongate
element of the coil engaged with the proximal end of the elongate
element.
[0026] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the surgical coil of FIG.
6.
[0027] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a surgical coil, similar to
the surgical coil of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating the tightly wound
nature of the elongate element of the surgical coil which has
approximately 360 degrees of circumferential overlap.
[0028] FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a surgical coil, similar to
that of FIG. 8, but having approximately 720 degrees of
circumferential overlap.
[0029] FIG. 10 is transverse cross sectional view of the surgical
coil of FIG. 8 taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 8.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a transverse cross sectional view of the surgical
coil of FIG. 9 taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 9.
[0031] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate various embodiments of surgical coil
winding configurations.
[0032] FIG. 15 shows a transverse cross sectional view of a
surgical coil having a coil configuration similar to that of FIG.
12 illustrating an element axis of the surgical coil of about 90
degrees with respect to the coil axis.
[0033] FIG. 16 shows a transverse cross sectional view of a
surgical coil having a coil configuration similar to that of FIG.
13 illustrating an element axis of the surgical coil of about 45
degrees with respect to the coil axis.
[0034] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a surgical coil similar
to that of FIGS. 2 and 3 in a straightened configuration.
[0035] FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of a surgical coil
in a straightened configuration, illustrating longitudinal slots
cut into the elongate member of the surgical coil.
[0036] FIG. 19 illustrates an elevational view of a surgical coil
in a straightened configuration.
[0037] FIG. 20 shows a transverse cross sectional view of the
elongate member of the surgical coil of FIG. 19, taken along lines
20-20 of FIG. 19.
[0038] FIGS. 21-23 illustrate transverse cross sectional views of
alternative embodiments of elongate members of surgical coils.
[0039] FIG. 23A is an elevational view of a surgical coil
embodiment having an interlocking or self-aligning
configuration.
[0040] FIG. 23B is a transverse cross sectional view of the
surgical coil of FIG. 23A taken along lines 23B-23B of FIG. 23A
illustrating a concave transverse cross sectional configuration of
the elongate element of the surgical coil.
[0041] FIG. 23C is an elevational view of a surgical coil having an
embodiment of an interlocking or self-aligning coil
configuration.
[0042] FIG. 23D is a transverse cross sectional view of the
surgical coil of FIG. 23A taken along lines 23B-23B of FIG. 23A
illustrating an interlocking groove and raised ridge on the
elongate element of the surgical coil.
[0043] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a surgical coil in a
partially deployed state about the axis of the surgical coil with a
proximal portion of the partially deployed coil in a straightened
configuration.
[0044] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a ratcheting delivery
device configured to deliver and deploy surgical coils, with a
thumb ring of the delivery device in a proximal retracted
position.
[0045] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the delivery device of FIG.
25 with the thumb ring of the delivery device in an advanced distal
position with a surgical coil being deployed from a distal end of a
delivery sheath of the delivery device.
[0046] FIG. 27 is an enlarged view, in perspective, of the
encircled portion 27 of FIG. 26 showing a distal section of the
delivery device.
[0047] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the delivery device of
FIGS. 25-27 with the thumb ring of the delivery device in a
completely advanced distal position with the surgical coil being
completely deployed from a distal end of the delivery sheath of the
delivery device.
[0048] FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion 29 of
FIG. 28 showing the surgical coil of FIG. 28 being completely
deployed from a distal end of the delivery sheath of the delivery
device.
[0049] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the delivery device of FIG.
25 with the thumb ring retracted back to a proximal position and
ready to deploy another surgical coil disposed within the delivery
sheath.
[0050] FIG. 31 is an elevational view of the delivery device of
FIG. 25.
[0051] FIG. 32 is an elevational view in partial section of the
delivery device of FIG. 31 taken along lines 32-32 of FIG. 31.
[0052] FIG. 33 is a top view in partial section of the delivery
device of FIG. 32 taken along lines 33-33 of FIG. 32.
[0053] FIG. 34 is a transverse cross sectional view of the elongate
member of the surgical coil and the delivery sheath of the delivery
device of FIG. 32 taken along lines 34-34 of FIG. 32.
[0054] FIG. 34A illustrates the distal end of a delivery sheath
with an arrow indicating the angle of the sharpened distal end of
the delivery sheath.
[0055] FIG. 35 is an enlarged elevational view in section of the
encircled portion 35 of FIG. 32 showing the delivery device.
[0056] FIG. 36 is a transverse cross sectional view of the delivery
device of FIG. 35 taken along lines 36-36 of FIG. 35.
[0057] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of some of the interior
components of the delivery device of FIG. 25 with some of the
components removed for the purposes of illustration.
[0058] FIG. 38 is an enlarged perspective view of the encircled
portion 38 of FIG. 37 showing the surgical coils at a distal
portion of the delivery device.
[0059] FIG. 39 is a further enlarged perspective view of the
encircled portion 39 of FIG. 38 showing a junction between a distal
end of a first elongate member of a surgical coil and a proximal
end of an elongate member of a second surgical coil.
[0060] FIG. 40 is an exploded view of the delivery device of FIG.
25.
[0061] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a distal section of a
delivery sheath of a delivery device and a surgical coil being
formed by a coil forming member at the distal end of the delivery
sheath the delivery sheath also having a directional capability
that is suitable for directing the deployment direction of a
surgical coil having a transverse cross sectional configuration
which is substantially round.
[0062] FIG. 41A is a perspective view of the distal section of the
delivery sheath of FIG. 41 with the surgical coil not shown for
clarity of illustration.
[0063] FIG. 41B is an elevational view in section of the delivery
sheath of FIG.41A.
[0064] FIG. 41C is an elevational view in section of a delivery
sheath forming a surgical coil from an elongate element during
deployment of the surgical coil.
[0065] FIG. 42 illustrates a sharpened distal tip of a surgical
coil penetrating tissue during deployment.
[0066] FIG. 43.illustates a schematic view of the surgical coil of
FIG. 42 in a further deployed configuration, the direction of
deployment being indicated by the arrow.
[0067] FIG. 44 illustrates a schematic view of the surgical coil in
a completely deployed state within tissue.
[0068] FIG. 45 shows three surgical coils deployed in a variety of
deployment configurations by a variety of deployment methods with
respect to tissue surfaces.
[0069] FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a ratchet delivery device
that is configured to accept a surgical coil cassette for deploying
a large number of surgical coils from a single delivery device.
[0070] FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the delivery device of FIG.
46 with the surgical coil cassette removed from the delivery
device.
[0071] FIG. 48 is an elevational view of the delivery device of
FIG. 46.
[0072] FIG. 49 is a top view in partial section of the delivery
device of FIG. 48 taken along lines 49-49 of FIG. 48.
[0073] FIG. 50 is an elevational view in partial section of the
delivery device of FIG. 49 taken along lines 50-50 in FIG. 49.
[0074] FIG. 51 is a transverse cross sectional view of the delivery
device of FIG. 48 taken along lines 51-51 of FIG. 48.
[0075] FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the surgical coil cassette
shown in FIGS. 46 and 47.
[0076] FIG. 53 is another perspective view of the surgical coil
cassette shown in FIG. 52.
[0077] FIG. 54 is an enlarged perspective view of the encircled
portion 54 of FIG. 52 showing the surgical coil cassette.
[0078] FIG. 55 is an enlarged perspective view of the encircled
portion 55 of FIG. 53 showing the surgical coil cassette.
[0079] FIG. 56 is a top view of the delivery device shown in FIG.
46.
[0080] FIG. 57 is an enlarged elevational view of the delivery
device of FIG. 56 taken along lines 57-57 in FIG. 56.
[0081] FIG. 57A is an elevational view of the delivery device of
FIG. 46 with the cassette inserted into the cassette slot.
[0082] FIG. 57B is an enlarged view in section of the delivery
device of FIG. 57A taken along lines 57B-57B of FIG. 57A.
[0083] FIG. 57C is a botton view of an advancing ribbon guide, and
elonagate element within the guide, of FIG. 58B without the
structure surrounding the guide shown for clarity of
illustration.
[0084] FIG. 57D is a transverse cross sectional view of the
advancing ribbon guide of FIG. 57C taken along lines 57D-57D of
FIG. 57C.
[0085] FIG. 57E is a transverse cross sectional view of the
advancing ribbon guide of FIG. 57C taken along lines 57E-57E of
FIG. 57C.
[0086] FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a vascular access port
secured to chest muscle tissue by 4 surgical coils.
[0087] FIG. 59 is a perspective view of a delivery device
configured to deploy 8 surgical coils simultaneously with 8
delivery sheaths extended distally from the delivery device and
extending toward an artificial heart valve.
[0088] FIG. 60 is a perspective view of the delivery device of FIG.
59 shown with distal ends of the 8 delivery sheaths engaged and
penetrating a surface of the heart valve.
[0089] FIG. 61 is a perspective view of the delivery device of FIG.
60 with the 8 surgical coils being deployed from the 8 delivery
sheaths.
[0090] FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the artificial heart valve
of FIG. 61 shown with the 8 surgical coils fully deployed.
[0091] FIG. 63 is a perspective view of a distal portion of a
delivery device configured to deploy 2 surgical coils
simultaneously in order to close a cut or incision in soft
tissue.
[0092] FIG. 63A illustrates an elevational view in section of the
delivery device of FIG. 63 with the delivery sheaths retracted
within an outer sheath.
[0093] FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the distal portion of the
delivery device of FIG. 63 shown with an outer sheath of the
delivery device retracted proximally in order to allow distal ends
of the delivery sheaths to be exposed and expand in a radial
direction prior to engagement of tissue.
[0094] FIG. 64A illustrates an elevational view in section of the
delivery device of FIG. 63 with the delivery sheaths extended from
the outer sheath with the delivery sheaths expanded in an outward
radial direction.
[0095] FIG. 65 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of the
delivery device of FIG. 64 with the exposed delivery sheaths
engaging the surface of tissue adjacent an open incision.
[0096] FIG. 66 shows the delivery device of FIG. 65 with the distal
ends of the delivery sheaths penetrating the tissue adjacent the
incision with the outer sheath advanced slightly distally in order
to decrease the radial gap between the distal ends of the delivery
sheaths and close the incision in the tissue.
[0097] FIG. 67 shows the delivery device of FIG. 66 with 2 surgical
coils fully deployed from the distal ends of the delivery sheaths
into the tissue across the incision.
[0098] FIG. 68 shows the two deployed surgical coils of FIG. 67
across the incision of the tissue with the delivery device
removed.
[0099] FIG. 69 is a perspective view of a distal portion of a
balloon delivery device which is configured to deploy multiple
surgical coils to the wall of a passageway from within the
passageway.
[0100] FIG. 70 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of the
delivery device of FIG. 69 disposed within a passageway of an AAA
stent.
[0101] FIG. 71 is a perspective view of the distal portion of the
delivery device of FIG. 69 shown with an expansion balloon of the
distal end of the delivery device in an expanded state forcing
distal ends of multiple delivery sheaths to expand in an outward
radial direction.
[0102] FIG. 72 is an enlarged view in perspective of the encircled
portion 72 in FIG. 71 showing the distal end of the delivery
device.
[0103] FIG. 73 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of the distal
end of the delivery device shown in FIG. 72 in an expanded state
within the passageway of the AAA stent with the distal ends of the
delivery sheath pressed in an outward radial direction against an
inside wall of the AAA stent.
[0104] FIG. 74 shows the delivery device of FIG. 73 with the
surgical coils deployed from the delivery device through a proximal
end of the AAA stent with the aorta adjacent the delivery device
not shown for puposes of illustration.
[0105] FIG. 75 shows a perspective view of the AAA stent within an
aorta of a patient with the surgical coils of FIG. 74 deployed
through the proximal end of the AAA stent and the adjacent tissue
of the aorta so as to secure the proximal end of the AAA stent to
the aortic wall.
[0106] FIG. 76 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of a distal
portion of a delivery device configured to deploy 8 surgical coils
simultaneoulsly along and across an open incision or cut in tissue
adjacent a tissue portion having an open cut.
[0107] FIG. 77 shows the delivery device of FIG. 76 with distal
ends of delivery cannulae of the delivery device engaging and
penetrating tissue adjacent the open cut with surgical coils being
deployed while pressue is being applied to the tissue to close the
cut.
[0108] FIG. 78 shows the 8 surgical coils of FIG. 77 deployed in
the tissue across the cut securing the cut in a closed
configuration.
[0109] FIG. 79 is a perspective view of a delivery device that is
configured to deploy a surgical coil with a suture attachment.
[0110] FIG. 80 is a perspective view of the delivery device of FIG.
79.
[0111] FIG. 81 is a transverse cross sectional view of the delivery
device of FIG. 79 taken along lines 81-81 of FIG. 79.
[0112] FIG. 82 is an enlarged view in perspective of encircled
portion 82 shown in FIG. 80.
[0113] FIG. 83 is an enlarged view in perspective of the encircled
portion 83 shown in FIG. 80 illustrating more detail of a distal
end of the delivery device.
[0114] FIG. 84 is a bottom view in partial section taken along
lines 84-84 of FIG. 79.
[0115] FIG. 85 is a perspective view of the delivery device of FIG.
79 with an outer sheath of the delivery device retracted proximally
to expose suture alignment tubes at the distal end of the delivery
device.
[0116] FIG. 86 is an enlarged view in perspective of encircled
portion 86 of FIG. 85 showing more detail of the distal end of the
delivery device with the suture alignment tubes exposed.
[0117] FIG. 87 is a perspective view of the delivery device
illustrating a surgical coil being deployed from the distal end of
a delivery sheath of the delivery device.
[0118] FIG. 88 is an enlarged view in perspective of the encircled
portion 88 of FIG. 87 illustrating more detail of the surgical coil
being deployed about a portion of the suture line and tissue (not
shown) simultaneously.
[0119] FIG. 89 is a perspective view of a surgical coil deployed
about a portion of a suture line within tissue (not shown) with the
delivery device retracted.
[0120] FIG. 90 is an enlarged view in perspective of a distal
portion of an alternative embodiment of a delivery device similar
to the delivery device of FIG. 79 but wherein the suture alignment
tubes and suture are replaced by a single leg attachment line
having a fixed loop disposed adjacent a distal end of the delivery
sheath with a surgical coil being deployed through the fixed
loop.
[0121] FIG. 91 is a perspective view of the surgical coil and
single leg attachment line of FIG. 90 with the surgical coil
deployed in tissue (not shown) through the fixed loop of the single
leg attachment line.
[0122] FIG. 92 is an elevational view of a portion of bone tissue
of a patient.
[0123] FIG. 93 is a transverse cross sectional view of the bone
tissue of FIG. 92 taken along lines 93-93 of FIG. 92 illustrating
first and second surgical coils deployed at two different sites on
the bone tissue portion with attachment members extending from the
bone tissue.
[0124] FIG. 94 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 94 of FIG.
93 illustrating the first surgical coil deployed within a cavity of
the bone tissue.
[0125] FIG. 94A is an enlarged view of a delivery device deploying
a surgical coil about a suture attachment member within a cavity of
bone tissue.
[0126] FIG. 95 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 95 of FIG.
93 illustrating the second surgical coil deployed within a cavity
of the bone tissue.
[0127] FIG. 96 is a perspective view of a distal portion of a
deployment shaft assembly of a delivery device with an attachment
member separated distally from the deployment shaft assembly.
[0128] FIG. 97 is a perspective view of the distal portion of the
delivery shaft assembly of FIG. 96 with a retainer spring of the
attachment member engaged within a proximal slot of the outer
sheath.
[0129] FIG. 98 is a perspective view of the distal portion of the
delivery delivery shaft assembly of FIG. 97 (with the outer sheath
not shown) illustrating a proximal stop secured to the delivery
sheath.
[0130] FIG. 99 is perspective view of the distal portion of the
deployment shaft assembly of FIG. 97 with the retainer spring
engaged in a distal slot of the outer sheath and with a surgical
coil being deployed from a distal end of the delivery sheath
through a distal loop of the attachment member.
[0131] FIG. 100 illustrates a distal portion of the deployment
shaft assembly of FIG. 99 with the assembly retracted proximally
from the attachment member such that the retainer spring is no
longer engaged with the distal slot.
[0132] FIG. 101 shows the surgical coil deployed about target
tissue (not shown) and deployed about and encircling a distal loop
of the attachment member.
[0133] FIG. 102 is a perspective view of a distal portion of a
deployment shaft assembly configured for delivery of a plurality of
surgical coils.
[0134] FIGS. 103 and 104 are perspective views of the deployment
shaft assembly of FIG. 102 with an outer sheath of the assembly
retracted proximally with respect to the delivery sheath housing,
allowing three flexing loop wires of the attachment to expand
radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the deployment shaft
assembly.
[0135] FIG. 105 is a perspective view of the deployment shaft
assembly of FIG. 104 with three surgical coils deployed about the
respective flexing loop wires.
[0136] FIG. 106 is an end view of the deployment shaft assembly in
a state of deployment shown in FIG. 102.
[0137] FIG. 107 is an end view of the deployment shaft assembly in
a state of deployment shown in FIG. 105.
[0138] FIG. 108 is a perspective view of the attachment member
wherein the three flexing loop wires are respectively secured to
three surgical coils within tissue (not shown) and an attachment
line is secured to and extending proximally from the attachment
housing.
[0139] FIG. 109 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion 109 in
FIG. 108.
[0140] FIG. 110 is a top view of a deployment device having a
deflecting delivery sheath in a deployment shaft assembly.
[0141] FIG. 111 is an elevational view in partial section of the
delvery system of FIG. 110 taken along lines 111-111 of FIG.
110.
[0142] FIG. 112 is an enlarged view in partial section of the
encircled portion 112 of FIG. 111 illustrating a finger grip, pin
and slot arrangment of the delivery device.
[0143] FIG. 113 is an elevational view of the delivery device of
FIG. 110.
[0144] FIG. 114 is a perspective view of the delivery device of
FIG. 113 wherein the sliding finger grip is positioned distally and
a distal end portion of a deflecting delivery sheath is extending
from a distal end of the deployment shaft assembly with a distal
port of the deflecting delivery sheath being directed radially away
from a longitudinal axis of the deployment shaft assembly and being
radially displaced from same.
[0145] FIG. 115 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion 115 of
FIG. 114.
[0146] FIG. 116 is a perspective view of the delivery device of
FIG. 114 wherein a thumb ring is in an advanced distal position and
a surgical coil is being deployed from a distal end of the
deflecting delivery sheath.
[0147] FIG. 117 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 117 of
FIG. 116 illustrating a surgical coil being deployed from a distal
end of the deflecting delivery sheath.
[0148] FIG. 118 is a perspective view of of the delivery device
with the thumb ring fully advanced distally.
[0149] FIG. 119 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 119
illustrating a surgical coil being deployed from a distal end of
the deflecting delivery sheath.
[0150] FIG. 120 is a perspective view of the delivery device with
the thumb ring retracted proximally after deployment of the
surgical coil as show in FIG. 118.
[0151] FIG. 121 is an enlarged view of encircled portion 121 of
FIG. 120 illustrating the surgical coil fully deployed in adjacent
tissue (not shown).
[0152] FIG. 122 is a schematic view in partial section of tissue
with a distal portion of a mammatome biopsy device disposed within
a lesion of the tissue with a distal portion of a delivery sheath
extending radially from a lateral aperture in the mammatome and a
surgical marking coil being deployed from the distal portion of the
delivery sheath into the lesion.
[0153] FIG. 123 is a perspective view of a distal portion of a
mammatome bipsy device with a lateral aperture with a distal
portion of a delivery sheath extending radially from the lateral
aperture in the mammatome and a surgical marking coil being
deployed from the distal portion of the delivery sheath into the
lesion.
[0154] FIG. 124 is a perspective view of a deployment pattern for
surgical coil markers illustrating a plurality of surgical coil
markers deployed at a distal extremity and several radially
extended positions which can serve to define the boundaries of a
suspect tissue mass for imaging by medical imaging methods.
[0155] FIG. 125 is an elevational view of the deployment pattern
for surgical coil markers of FIG. 124 illustrating a plurality of
surgical coil markers deployed at a distal extremity, proximal
extremity and radially extended positions which can serve to define
the boundaries of a suspect tissue mass for imaging by medical
imaging methods.
[0156] FIG. 126 is a top view of an embodiment of a surgical coil
shape forming jig.
[0157] FIG. 127 is a transverse cross sectional view of the shape
forming jig of FIG. 126 taken along lines 127-127 of FIG. 126.
[0158] FIG. 128 is top view of the shape forming jig of FIG. 126
with a portion of metallic ribbon material inserted into the
jig.
[0159] FIG. 129 is a transverse cross sectional view of the jig and
metalic ribbon material of FIG. 128 taken along lines 128-128 of
FIG. 127.
[0160] FIG. 130 is a perspective view of the jig of FIG. 129
illustrating removal of the metallic ribbon material after shape
setting of the ribbon material.
[0161] FIG. 131 is a perspective view of a punch and die configured
to cut the shape formed metallic ribbon shown if FIG. 130, which is
shown disposed within the die, to length and form a sharp distal
tip and wedged proximal end of a surgical coil.
[0162] FIG. 132 is an elevational view in partial section of the
punch and die shown if FIG. 130, with a non-shape formed portion of
the metallic ribbon disposed within the die.
[0163] FIG. 133 is a perspective view of the punch and die of FIG.
131 with the punch partially inserted into the die adjacent the
shape formed portion of the metallic ribbon material which has been
pulled into the die to align the shape formed portion with the die
cavities.
[0164] FIG. 135 is a bottom view of the punch and die of FIG. 134
with the shape formed portion of the metallic ribbon material
aligned with the die cavities.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0165] Embodiments of surgical coils are disclosed which can secure
tissue along a significant length and do so with a minimal tendency
to repuncture the tissue being secured. Embodiments of the present
device also place surgical coils that complete a full circular path
and, can be used as sutures to attach tissue, implant devices and
surgical support materials in addition to being made small in
profile in order to make a wide range of non-invasive surgical
procedures possible.
[0166] Suturing and suture line placement are necessary aspects of
most surgical procedures. Embodiments of the current device provide
devices and methods for placing sutures and suture lines in
confined spaces. Suture anchors can be used to mount suture to bone
for subsequent attachment of ligaments, tendons, or other tissue.
Some known suture anchors are inserted into pre-drilled holes in
the bone, while others are "self-tapping" and are threaded into the
bone through the bone surface. In either case, ridges, which extend
outwardly from the exterior surface of the suture anchor facilitate
retention of the anchor in the bone tissue.
[0167] Anchors of this type typically use up a large surface area
relative to the size of the suture and so the number of anchors
that can be used in any single location of placement is limited due
to the confined surgical space at the site of installation. Another
limitation of these known anchors is that they only can only be
reliably used when the full length of the anchor is embedded in
bone. Embodiments of the current invention provide devices and
methods for reliable bone anchoring sutures that require minimal
bone surface disruption space and skill to install and can also be
reliably attached to thin cross sections of bone.
[0168] It is desirable and often necessary to perform procedures
for detecting, sampling, and testing lesions and other
abnormalities in the tissue of humans particularly in the diagnosis
and treatment of patients with cancerous tumors, pre-malignant
condition and other diseases or disorders. It can be of
considerable benefit in many circumstances to be able to
permanently mark the location or margins of such a lesion prior to
or immediately after removing a sample of the tissue for testing.
Marking tissue of a lesion prior to removal helps to ensure that
the entire lesion is excised, if desired. Alternatively, a lesion
is inadvertently removed in its entirety, marking the biopsy site
immediately after the procedure would enable reestablishment of its
location for future identification.
[0169] Known tissue marking devices and methods typically attach a
micro-staple device to an internal wall of a cavity of a biopsy
site, these types of staples, clips or open medical screws can be
easily dislodged in some circumstances, and, as such, can be
unreliable in accurately defining a target site. In addition, they
generally have sharp exposed points that can be a hazard to a
surgeon who subsequently has to remove the marked area. A marker
with sharp exposed points can puncture or tear a surgical glove
along with the surgeon's skin. As a result, both physician and
patient are at risk of transmitted immunodeficiency virus or
hepatitis, as well as other high risk contagions. Embodiments of
the present invention provide reliable marking methods and markers
with little or no exposed sharp points.
[0170] In addition, in some clinical settings identification and
localization of a suspect mass is performed by a radiologist who,
using current methods, places a localization wire or "Kopan's"
wires into the breast of a patient to define and locate the tissue
mass to be removed. A hollow needle, containing the localization
wire, is inserted into the breast under local anesthesia. The
localization wire is inserted while the breast is under compression
during the imaging procedure, until the distal end of the
localization wire passes through the suspect mass. The localization
wire is anchored distally beyond the mass by means such as a barb
or hook at the distal end of the wire.
[0171] The needle is then removed from the body, leaving the wire
in place and extending from the body as a marker for the surgeon.
However, this type of known localization wire can move relative to
the lesion when the breast is released from compression.
Specifically, the distal end of the wire often migrates and thus
shifts position with respect to the targeted tissue mass. This may
lead to inaccurate placement of the incision for the biopsy, with
the result that either an excess of tissue outside of the target
tissue mass is removed, or less than all of the target tissue mass
is removed. In addition, the wire is sometimes inadvertently
severed, or pulled out during surgery.
[0172] In addition, there is frequently a day or two time delay
between placement of the localization wire and surgical removal of
the suspect tissue mass so the patent may have to tolerate a
localization wire protruding from the breast during this time
period. Embodiments of the present invention provide devices and
methods for reliable tissue anchoring that will not migrate from a
target tissue mass, and can include a flexible attachment line for
a surgeon to follow to the target lesion and which can be left in
place and not inconvenience a patient excessively while waiting for
surgery.
[0173] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a surgical coil 10 deployed
across a cut 12 in a portion of tissue 14 serving to hold the cut
in the tissue portion closed. The surgical coil 10 is shown in more
detail in the perspective views of FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein an
elongate element 16 having a ribbon-like configuration is coiled
upon itself with a significant amount of overlap or circumferential
overlap of adjacent portions of the elongate element 16. In some
embodiments of the surgical coil 10, the overlapped portions of
elongate element 16 are tightly coiled and in contact with each
other. A wedge shaped tissue penetrating distal tip 18 is
configured on a distal end 20 of an elongate element 16 of the
surgical coil 10. A wedge shaped recess 22 is formed into a
proximal end 24 of the elongate element 16 of the surgical coil
10.
[0174] FIGS. 4 and 5 demonstrate circumferential overlap of coil
embodiments. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a surgical coil 26
having about 90 degrees of circumferential overlap. The
circumferential overlap is delineated by the angle formed between a
line 28 drawn from an axis 30 of the surgical coil 26 to a first
end 32 of an elongate element 34, and a line 36 drawn from the axis
30 to a second end 38 of the elongate element 34, inclusive of full
rotational angles, i.e., 360 degrees for each full rotation of
overlap of the elongate element 34 of the surgical coil 26. FIG. 5
illustrates a surgical coil 40 having about 360 degrees of
circumferential ovelap.
[0175] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a surgical coil 42 having
substantially no circumferential overlap wherein the proximal end
44 of an elongate element 46 of the surgical coil 42 directly
engages a distal end 48 of the elongate element 46 of the surgical
coil 42 in a smooth and continuous circular configuration. Such a
configuration may be useful as a surgical coil marker where the
surgical coil 42 is not likely to be subjected to high stress
loads.
[0176] FIGS. 8-11 illustrate two additional embodiments of surgical
coils. FIG. 8 is a side or elevational view of a surgical coil 50
having about 360 degrees of circumferential overlap. A transverse
cross sectional view of the surgical coil 50 of FIG. 8 can be seen
in FIG. 10 which shows a transverse cross section of the elongate
element 52 of the surgical coil 50. As can be seen from both FIG.
8, and FIG. 10, a junction between overlapped adjacent portions of
the elongate element 52 are in close contact, forming a tightly
wound surgical coil 50. FIGS. 9 and 11 illustrate similar views of
a surgical coil 56 having a circumferential overlap of about 700
degrees to about 740 degrees. FIGS. 8 and 10 illustrate surgical
coil 50 having a circumferential overlap of about 360 degrees,
however, similar and useful embodiments may have a circumferential
overlap of at least about 300 degrees. Other surgical coil 50
embodiments may have a circumferential overlap of about 300 to
about 420 degrees, more specifically, about 340 to about 380
degrees. Still other embodiments of surgical coils 50 may have a
circumferential overlap of about 350 degrees to about 750
degrees.
[0177] FIGS. 12-14 show three different embodiments of surgical
coils having element axes forming differing angles with respect to
an axis of the respective surgical coils. FIG. 15 illustrates a
transverse cross sectional view of the surgical coil 58 of FIG. 12
with an element axis 60 that forms an angle of about 90 degrees
with an axis 62 of the surgical coil 58. The element axis line 60
is formed by a line extending through a longitudinal axis 64 of the
elongate element 66 of the surgical coil 58 on each side of the
section shown in FIG. 15. In FIG. 15, such a line 60 is shown
making an angle of about 90 degrees with the coil axis 62.
[0178] FIG. 16 illustrates a transverse cross sectional view of the
surgical coil 68 of FIG. 13 with an element axis 70 that forms an
angle of about 45 degrees with an axis 72 of the surgical coil 68.
Such a surgical coil 68 has a somewhat conical configuration
overall. FIG. 14 shows a surgical coil 74 embodiment wound similar
to a tightly wound coil spring having an element axis that is
substantially parallel to an axis (not shown) of the coil 74, or
put another way, forming a zero angle with an axis of the coil.
Such a coil would have a substantially cylindrical
configuration.
[0179] FIGS. 17-19 illustrate various embodiments of elongate
elements of surgical coils in a straightened configuration. FIG. 17
shows an elongate element 76 having a wedge shaped trocar-like
tissue cutting distal tip 78 and a wedge shaped recess 80 at a
proximal end 82. FIG. 18 shows an elongate element 84 having a
plurality of axially consecutive longitudinal slots 86 cut into the
elongate element 84. Such slots 86 can be formed into one surface
88 of the elongate element 84, or may extend completely through the
elongate element 84. Such slots or cavities 86 may be used to hold
image contrast materials such as radiopaque materials or materials
that can be readily imaged by ultrasonic imaging, MRI imaging or
any other suitable imaging technique. The slots or cavities 86
could also be used to hold bioactive agents such as antibiotic
agents, growth factors, anti-inflammatory agents and the like. The
cavities 86 can have configurations other than the slots 86 shown,
which are merely illustrative. The cavities 86 and any material
disposed within them may also be covered with a gas or liquid
permeable membrane (not shown) which may be used to regulate the
rate of delivery or elution of the agents.
[0180] FIG. 20 is a transverse cross sectional view of the elongate
element 76 of FIG. 19. The elongate element 76 has a major
transverse dimension 90 and a minor transverse dimension 92 and has
a substantially oval configuration overall, but with a somewhat
flattened top surface 94 and bottom surface 96. In some embodiments
of elongate elements 76, a length of the major transverse dimension
90 may be at least about 2 times a length of the minor transverse
dimension 92, in other embodiments at least 3 times the length of
the minor transverse dimension 92. In still other embodiments, the
major transverse dimension of the elongate element 76 may have a
length of about 2 to about 8 times the length of the minor
transverse dimension 92, specifically, about 3 to about 6 time the
length of the minor transverse dimension 92. FIGS. 21-23 illustrate
transverse cross sections of other embodiments of elongate
elements. FIG. 21 shows a transverse cross section of an elongate
element 98 having a substantially round cross section, FIG. 22
illustrates an elongate element 100 with a substantially
rectangular transverse cross section, and FIG. 23 illustrates a
transverse cross section of an elongate element 102 similar to that
of the elongate element 76 of FIG. 20, but with a longitudinal
cavity or lumen 104 extending through the elongate element 102. The
lumen 104 of elongate element 102 may be used as a cavity for image
contrast materials or bioactive agents as discussed above and may
have one or more openings (not shown) that may optionally be
covered with permeable membranes (not shown).
[0181] FIGS. 23A-23D illustrate two embodiments of surgical coils
which have elongate elements that interlock when deployed. FIG. 23A
shows a surgical coil 106 having approximately 360 degrees of
circumferential overlap and a curved elongate element 108 with an
interlocking cross sectional configuration. FIG. 23B is a
transverse cross sectional view of the surgical coil 106 of FIG.
23A which illustrates the curved elongate element 108. The elongate
element 108 has a concave inner surface 110 which interlocks
laterally with a convex outer surface 112 when the inner surface
110 and outer surface 112 are in a tightly coiled configuration as
shown in FIG. 23B. FIG. 23C illustrates an embodiment of a surgical
coil 114 with an elongate element 116 having an interlocking
configuration. FIG. 23D is a transverse cross sectional view of the
surgical coil 114 of FIG. 23C which shows a raised ridge 118
extending longitudinally on a first surface 120 of the elongate
element 116 which is configured to mate and interlock with a
groove. 122 extending longitudinally along a second surface 124 of
the elongate element 116. An interlocking engagement between the
raised ridge 118 and groove 122 can be seen in FIG. 23D where two
adjacent overlapped portions of the elongate element 116 are in
contact with each other.
[0182] FIG. 24 shows an elongate element 126 partially deployed and
formed into a surgical coil 130 about an axis 132 of the surgical
coil 130. A proximal portion of the elongate element 128 is in a
substantially straightened configuration as may be the case inside
a delivery sheath of a delivery system (not shown). In some
embodiments, a series of elongate elements may be loaded into a
delivery sheath which constrains the elongate elements 126 into a
substantially straightened configuration for deployment.
[0183] Surgical coils 10 intended for placement in tissue can be
fabricated with a distal point to facilitate tissue penetration
when the coil 10 is ejected or deployed from the delivery device.
After deployment, embodiments of the surgical coil 10 assume a
self-forming coiled shape. In doing so the surgical coil 10 creates
full circumferential path through adjacent tissue that the coil 10
traps itself within. In a deployed configuration, both ends of an
elongate element 16 of the surgical coil 10 can be in contact with
each other in overlapped portions as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As
such, movement of the surgical coil 10 is limited to rotation of
the coil 10 about its own axis because the tissue captured within
the axis of the surgical coil prevents tranlation of the surgical
coil 10 through tissue.
[0184] In some applications surgical coils 10 are required to
support a pulling force from another component to which it has been
secured. Such other components may be referred to as attachments
throughout this document. These attachments can include sutures and
can be easily joined to the coil 10 as part of the surgical coil
deployment process as discussed in more detail below.
[0185] Surgical coils 10 may be configured so that any pointed or
sharp ends 18 do not protrude away from and are encased within the
surgical coil 10. Surgical coils 10 with this feature are shown
generally in FIGS. 2, 14, 23A and 23C. This feature can help to
protect medical staff from accidentally sticking themselves on
sharp edges when palpating a tissue mass having a surgical coil 10
disposed therein during or after surgical removal of the tissue
mass. This feature also prevents the surgical coil 10 from opening
up if it rotates by not allowing an end of an elongate element 16
of a surgical coil 10 to core another path and deviate from the
original target site.
[0186] Surgical coils 10 can be made from a variety of materials
including those that exhibit either great elasticity or shape
memory properties. Suitable materials for fabrication include but
are not limited to nickel titanium alloys (Nitinol), stainless
steel, Elgiloy, MP35N or other high strength biocompatible
materials. The cross section profile of the elongate element 16 of
the surgical coils 10 illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-22
may be oval or round but can be any other suitable shape.
[0187] Various clinical applications or indications can require a
specific surgical coil configuration. The number of rotations or
amount of circumferential overlap that the surgical coil 10 will
have can be dependant on whether or not it has to support any load,
such as a tensile load, from an attachment, and, if so, the amount
of load the surgical coil 10 is required to support and the
strength of tissue surrounding the surgical coil 10.
[0188] Surgical coils 10 can vary significantly in the various
dimensions and configurations, depending on the intended use. One
embodiment of a surgical coil has 50 an outside diameter 134, see
FIG. 8, from about 0.060" to about 0.300", and a transverse
dimension of about 0.002" to about 0.040". The number coil
rotations for one embodiment can range from about 1 to about 5,
which corresponds to a circumferential overlap of about 0 to about
1,440 degrees. The circumferential overlap of surgical coil
embodiments creates a complete circular structure that is enclosed
an prevents attachments, such as sutures and marking devices from
pulling out or slipping out of the ring-like structure of the
surgical coils. Surgical coils having no circumferential ovelap
could allow attachments to slip or pull through the joint between
ends of the structure is a force is applied to the attachment. In
addition, the size and stregth of a surgical coil can be dependent
on the type of tissue within which it is being deployed. For
example, in strong fibrous tissue, such as muscle or tendon, a
small surgical coil can be used. However, for soft tissue
deployment, a larger surgical coil which encompasses or encircles a
larger amount of tissue may be necessary in order to adequately
anchor or fix the surgical coil in the tissue.
[0189] In some embodiments, it is desirable that the inside
diameter 135 of the surgical coil 50 (see FIG. 8 ) be as small as
possible. The smaller the inside diameter 135 for a given surgical
coil 50, generally the higher the pull or tensile force it can
withstand before opening up or otherwise mechanically failing. In
addition, pull force performance may be substantially increased by
adding more revolutions of coiled material and increasing the
overall coil thickness (stacking the coils). The surgical coil 56
configuration shown in FIG. 9 with an additional wind or
720.degree. of circumferential overlap can have an increase in pull
force performance of approx 50% in comparison to the configuration
of the surgical coil 50 shown in FIG. 8.
[0190] Many variations of surgical coil wind geometries are are
contemplated, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-14. In addition to
variations in surgical coil wind geometries, embodiments are shown
that add slots 86 to the surgical elongate element 84 as shown in
FIG. 18 (the surgical coil is shown here flattened out to clearly
show the slots) and or use a hollow structure, a cross section of
which is illustrated in FIG. 23. These slotted or hollow features
could be used as reservoirs for drugs and the surgical coil used
for site-specific drug delivery. The slots 86 shown in FIG. 18 may
also make the device more visible with ultrasound imaging systems
and the like. The surgical coil 10 embodiments of FIGS. 1-11 have a
"V" groove at the proximal end of the surgical coils 10 which may
be used for embodiments of delivery methods.
[0191] Surgical coils 10 may be used as tissue markers with a small
dimensional configuration. One embodiment of a surgical coil marker
42 can have an outer diameter of about 0.060" to about 0.100". In
addition, if a surgical 42 coil is to be used as a marker and will
not be subjected to significant stresses, the surgical coil marker
can have a low number of coil rotations or small to non-existant
amount of circumferential overlap. Surgical coil markers 42 used to
identify specific target areas within tissue are generally not
required to carry any load and need only to be large enough to be
detected by suitable medical imaging devices. Surgical coils 10
used as soft tissue or bone anchors may be larger than surgical
coil markers, with some embodiments having an outer diameter of
about 0.100" to about 0.300". Such surgical coils can have 2 or
more coil rotations, i.e., 360 degrees or more of circumferential
overlap, and can be attached to a second component or attachment
member if desired. Such a surgical coil anchor may be used to
anchor itself at a specific target tissue area and support the
joined attachment.
[0192] Surgical coils 10 used for suturing and stapling
applications may have a wide range of dimensions and
configurations. Such embodiments may have to keep a wound closed so
circumferential overlap is required to support the load between two
sections of tissue being held together. The outer diameter of some
embodiments can be from about 0.06 inch to about 0.30 inch.
Circumferential overlap of at least about 90 degrees may be
suitable for these applications. A surgical coil 10 for these
indications may perform both the function of suturing and stapling,
and so, can be considered a hybrid device. Metallic suture
materials are often desirable in applications where a permanent
suture is required because they generally produce low tissue
reactivity. However, metallic sutures are rarely used due to
difficulty in tying reliable knots and cutting the metallic
material. A surgical coil 10 used for suturing eliminates the need
to tie a knot or cut the material and provides full circular
fixation of tissue within the surgical coil.
[0193] FIGS. 25-45 illustrate an embodiment of a delivery device
138 and methods of using the delivery device 138 for deployment of
surgical coils 140. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an embodiment
of a delivery device 138 having an elongate delivery sheath 142
with a proximal end 144 a distal end and a delivery actuator 148
secured to the proximal end 144 of the delivery sheath 142. As
shown in FIG. 34A, an embodiment of the delivery sheath can have a
sharpened distal end with an angle indicated by arrow 143, of about
15 to about 30 degrees. The delivery sheath is an elongate hollow
tube having a sharpened distal tip 150 shown in FIG. 27. The
delivery sheath 142 has an interior lumen 152, shown in FIG. 34,
which is configured to constrain an elongate element 154 of a
surgical coil 140 and allow the constrained elongate element 154 to
be advanced through the lumen 152 of the delivery sheath 142 to a
deployment site. For the configuration shown, the delivery sheath
142 can be made from any suitable high strength metal, composite or
polymer.
[0194] Suitable metals include stainless steel, Nitinol, MP35N and
the like. The delivery actuator 148 has an elongate cylindrically
shaped body portion 156 with a proximal flange 158 and a distal
flange 160. The body portion 156 has an internal bore 162 that is
sized to accept a cylindrical actuator 164 in sliding relation to
the body portion 156. A thumb ring 166 is disposed at a proximal
end 168 of the cylindrical actuator 164 to facilitate the grip of
an operator of the delivery device 138. The body portion 156 and
cylindrical actuator 164 can be made from a variety of suitable
medical grade materials, including metals, composites and polymers.
Specifically, polymers such as ABS plastic, PVC, polycarbonate and
the like may be used.
[0195] Referring to FIG. 33, a limit pin 170 is secured to the body
portion 156 and slidingly engages a slot 172 in the cylindrical
actuator 164 that is configured to limit the relative travel
between the cylindrical actuator 164 and the body portion156. An
advancing ribbon 174 is coiled in a compartment 176 adjacent the
thumb ring 166 and has a distal end 178 which extends into a
proximal end 180 of the delivery sheath 142 and contacts a proximal
end 182 of an elongate element 184 disposed in the delivery sheath
142 ready for deployment, as shown in FIG. 40. Referring to FIGS.
32 and 35, a first or distal ratchet member 186 having a bias
member, such as spring 188, is fixed relative to the body portion
156 with regard to relative axial movement and is configured to
translate in a radial direction under force of the spring 188 in
order for the first ratchet member 186 to releasably engage the
advancing ribbon 174 and prevent proximal translation of the
advancing ribbon 174. The advancing ribbon 174 has a series of
notches 190 which are configured to releasably engage the first
ratchet member 186. A second ratchet member 192 having a bias
member, such as spring 194, is disposed on the cylindrical actuator
164 proximally of the first ratchet member 186. The second ratchet
member 192 is configured to engage the advancing ribbon 174
similarly to the first ratchet member 186 and moves axially with
the cylindrical actuator 165 while the slot 196 within which the
second ratchet member 192 is disposed allows radial motion.
[0196] When the cylindrical actuator 164 is advanced distally, the
second ratchet member 192 engages one of the notches 190 in the
advancing ribbon 174 and translates the advancing ribbon 174
forward in a distal direction until the limit pin 170 engages a
proximal end 198 of the limit slot 172 of the cylindrical actuator
164. At this point, the first ratchet member 186 engages another
notch 190 in the advancing ribbon 174 and prevents proximal
translation of the advancing ribbon 174. Referring to FIG. 40,
during the distal advancement of the advancing ribbon 174, the
distal end 178 of the advancing ribbon 174 pushes against a
proximal end 182 of the proximal most elongate element 184 loaded
within the lumen 152 of the delivery sheath 142 and advances the
proximal most elongate element 184 which then translates the distal
motion to a distal most elongate element 200. The distal
translation movement deploys the distal most elongate element 200
during the advancement cycle as shown in FIGS. 42-44. Thereafter,
the cylindrical actuator 164 can then be proximally retracted and
the delivery device 138 is then ready to begin another surgical
coil deployment cycle.
[0197] For the delivery device 138, a feature to enable elongate
elements 184 to be deployed that may be important is the ability of
elongate elements 184 to push against each other axially without
compromising the sharp distal tip of the elongate element 184
pushing on an elongate element ahead of it. In FIG. 39, a first
elongate 202 element has a distal tip 204 engaged with a proximal
end 206 of a second elongate element 208. In the embodiments shown,
a wedge shaped recess 210 of the second elongate element 208 has a
wedge recess angle that is less than a wedge angle of the sharpened
distal tip 204 of the first elongate element 202. Such a
configuration serves to protect the sharpened distal tip 204 of the
first elongate element 202 from being dulled due to contact with
the proximal end 206 of the second elongate element 208. The amount
of force to move an elongate element through a delivery sheath can
be significant because of the frictional force generated by the
elongate element pushing against the constraining force of the
delivery sheath.
[0198] A surgical coil 140 being deployed from a distal end 146 of
the delivery sheath 142 as shown in FIGS. 42-44 can be a
self-forming member, wherein the elongate element 154 returns to a
coiled configuration, that is the configuration in a relaxed state,
as the elongate element 154 exits the distal end 146 of the
delivery sheath 142 and the constraint of the delivery sheath 142
is removed. Alternatively, the distal end 146 of the delivery
sheath 142 may include, or be disposed adjacent, a coil forming
member 212 which strains an elongate element into a coiled
configuration as it is deployed through the delivery sheath 142, as
can be seen in FIGS. 41B-41C. In this embodiment, an elongate
element 214 has a substantially straight or non-coiled
configuration in a relaxed state without any constraints thereon.
As the elongate element 214 is pushed out of the delivery sheath
216, it passes through or by a coil forming member 212 which
permanently strains the material of the elongate element 214 which
then assumes a coiled configuration outside the delivery sheath 216
as shown in FIG. 41C. For the embodiment of FIGS. 41-41C, the coil
forming member 212 is a bent portion of a distal section 218 of the
delivery sheath 216, however, any other suitable arrangement could
be used. The coil forming member 212 can also serve to add
directional capability that is suitable for directing the
deployment direction of a surgical coil having a transverse cross
sectional configuration which is substantially round.
[0199] FIG. 45 illustrates a variety of deployment methods and
configuratoins that could be used with the delivery device 138 and
similar devices discussed herein. The delivery device 138 has the
capability to serially deliver a plurality of surgical coils in a
variety of configurations with respect to a tissue surface. A
surgical coil 220 is shown deployed in an inner surface 222 of a
patient's chest cavity 224 with a portion of the surgical coil 220
exposed. The surgical coil 220 has been delivered by a delivery
sheath 226 introduced through a cannula member 228. Another
surgical coil 230 is shown disposed beneath the inner surface 222
of the chest cavity 224 with no portion of the surgical coil 230
exposed. The surgical coil 230 having been deployed by a delivery
sheath 226 having a sharpened tissue penetrating distal tip 232
which has penetrated an anterior wall 234 of the chest cavity 224
and been advanced into and beneath the inner surface 222 of a
posterior wall 236 of the chest cavity 224. Finally, another
surgical coil 238 has been deployed in the anterior wall 234 of the
chest cavity 224 by inserting a sharpened delivery sheath 226
through the anterior chest wall portion 234 and deploying the
surgical coil 238 from within the chest wall. A portion of the
surgical coil is exposed above the inner surface 222 of the chest
cavity 224.
[0200] Embodiments of delivery devices 138 and 240 shown in FIGS.
25 and 46 may use low profile delivery sheaths in the form of
hollow needles with sharpened distal ends to deliver surgical coils
to the target site. The delivery sheath 142 is a straight tube with
a distal tissue penetrating point 150, as shown in FIG. 29, and is
stiffer than a surgical coil 140 to be delivered therethrough. The
geometry of the distal point of the delivery sheath 142 can be
important in some embodiments. The distal point 150 needs to
easlily penetrate tissue while also providing clearance for the
surgical coil 140 as it is being delivered without substantial
restriction to assume the relaxed geometry of the surgical coil
140. For some delivery sheath 142 embodiments, the distal point can
have an angle of about 25 degrees. As seen in FIG. 34A and the
discussion thereof, other angles can also be used. Delivery sheaths
142 may have an internal profile that can slidably receive an
elongate element 154 of surgical coils 140 along their full length,
as shown in FIG. 34, and will straighten them out into a
substantially straight configuration in doing so. Surgical coils
140 can be pre-loaded into the delivery sheath 142 prior to use.
The maximum number of surgical coils 140 that a delivery sheath 142
can accommodate is limited by its length, however, some
applications may require only a single surgical coil 140 be used.
In a delivery device 138 having a multiple coil 140 configuration,
surgical coils 140 can be stacked end to end within the delivery
sheath 142. A surgical coil 140 configuration to preserve a
sharpness of a tissue penetrating point of an elongate element 154
of a surgical coil 140 from damage by a proximal end of an adjacent
elongate element of a surgical coil 140 is shown in FIGS. 38 and
39.
[0201] The delivery device 138 configuration shown in FIGS. 33-40
uses a ratchet system with a moving ratchet member 192 and a fixed
spring ratchet member 186. When the thumb ring 186 is moved
distally the moving ratchet teeth (FIG. 35) grip in the notches 190
of the advancing ribbon and move it also. The fixed spring ratchet
186 at this time slides up and over the notches 190 of the
advancing ribbon 174 (the wave profile spring compresses to
facilitate this). When the thumb ring 166 is returned to the
proximal position the moving ratchet 192 slides over the advancing
ribbon 174 while the fixed spring ratchet 186 stops any motion of
the advancing ribbon 174. The distance of travel of the thumb ring
166 equals the length of a surgical coil 140 so that each time the
thumb ring 166 is fully depressed a surgical coil 140 is ejected
from the device 138. The advancing ribbon 174 has a profile that is
slidably fits the sheath 142 and can be advanced the full length of
the delivery sheath 142.
[0202] In one embodiment of use, the distal end 146 of the delivery
sheath 142 is placed at a target site, a thumb ring 166 of the
cylindrical actuator 164 is then moved distally as shown in FIG. 26
which pushes an advancing ribbon 174 (see FIGS. 35 and 57) which in
turn pushes the most proximal surgical coil 174 which then ejects
the most distal surgical coil 200 a from the device 138 as shown in
FIG. 27. Drawings of two configurations of this device 138 and 240
are provided. FIGS. 33-40 show a configuration that will eject or
deploy only the number of surgical coils 140 that are pre-loaded
into the delivery sheath 142. FIGS. 46-57 show a configuration that
houses surgical coils 242 in a cassette 244 and therefore the
number of coils 242 can be delivered is limited only by the number
of coils 242 the cassette 244 can accommodate.
[0203] There are varieties of techniques that can be employed with
these low profile delivery devices 138 and 240 to access target
sites. The delivery sheath 142 can be used in the same manner as a
hypodermic needle is for drug delivery (direct incision).
Alternatively they can be placed within the working channel of an
endoscope or cannula. All methods allow the physician to completely
or partially implant a coil in tissue at an anterior or posterior
location. Some illustrations of delivery techniques are shown in
FIG. 45. Fully implanted coils 230 are typically used for tissue
marking or site specific drug delivery with drug coated or
impregnated coils 220 and 238, partially implanted coils can be
used to attach suture lines for procedures such as bladder neck
suspension or to create a group of purse string sutures. Coils can
be delivered so that they interlock in linear or radial patterns to
create palpable masses or linked as group for strong tissue anchor
point. Embodiments can also be used to suture in place devices or
components such as pacemakers, pacemaker leads, catheters or tissue
supporting surgical materials such as Gore-Tex or hernia patch
materials. An example of this use is illustrated in FIG. 58.
[0204] The delivery device 240 configuration shown in FIGS. 46-57
uses a surgical coil cassette 244 to store a plurality of elongate
elements 246 of surgical coils 242. The surgical coil cassette 244
fits into a slot 248 in the delivery actuator 250, as shown in FIG.
47. An advancing ribbon 252 is slidingly disposed within an
advancing ribbon guide 275. An advancing shuttle 273 is coupled to
a cylindrical actuator 254 with the thumb ring 256 and moves in
direct relationship with it. The cassette 244 has multiple slots
258 that accommodate surgical coils 242. The coils 242 are
positioned so that the distal end 260 and proximal ends 262 extend
into the side grooves 264 of the cassette 244 as shown in FIGS. 54,
55, and 57. Springs 266 shown in FIG. 46, surround spring posts 267
and are in compression and bias the cassette 244 away from the
delivery actuator 250, in doing so the ends of the surgical coil
242 are forced to contact the stops 268, as shown in FIG. 57, and
in alignment with the lumen of the delivery sheath 270 and
advancing ribbon 252. When the thumb ring 256 is moved distally,
the cylindrical actuator 254 is advanced distally which in turn
advances an advancing shuttle 273. The axial motion of the
cylindrical actuator 254 is limited by a limit pin 271 which is
secured to the delivery actuator and and engages a slot 271A in the
cylindrical actuator. The advancing shuttle, the axial movement of
which is shown by arrow 277, engages a slot or slots in the
advancing ribbon 252, as shown in FIGS. 57C-57D, and pushes a
surgical coil 272 out of the cassette 244 and into the delivery
sheath 270. When the thumb rings 256 is returned to the proximal
position and the advancing ribbon 252 has been pulled out of the
cassette 244 another surgical coil will be brought into contact
with the stops 268. This procedure is repeated until the first coil
242 that was pushed out of the cassette 244 is aligned with the
distal tip 274 of the delivery sheath 270. The device 240 can then
be used to deliver surgical coils 242 to the target site and each
full depression of the thumb ring 256 will eject a surgical coil
242.
[0205] The drawings shown illustrate an oval cross section of the
surgical coils 242 and delivery sheath 270 however, surgical coils
242 made from materials with a round cross-sections that are
deployed via a round cross-sections delivery needles can also be
used. Surgical coils 242 having a circular cross-section have the
disadvantage in that they are not self aligning, however an
alignment feature can be provided to ensure that as the surgical
coil it is deployed from the delivery sheath 270, it is correctly
orientated. If a self-coring tip (also known as hubber tip as shown
in FIG. 41) or slots 276 are provided longitudinally along the axis
at the distal end of the delivery sheath the coil when it contacts
this alignment feature 276 will take the path of least resistance
and orient itself.
[0206] Delivery devices can be configured to deliver a plurality of
surgical coils 10 simultaneously and in a variety of deployment
patterns or configurations. Examples can include radial, linear,
radial interlocking, linear interlocking, back to back in the same
delivery tube, i.e., 2 surgical coils deployed together in opposite
directions or back to front in the same delivery sheath, i.e., 2
coils deployed together in the same direction.
[0207] In one modality of deployment, FIG. 58 shows a vascular
access port 278 secured to a portion of chest muscle 280 by four
deployed surgical coils 282. FIGS. 59-62 show the distal end 284 of
a delivery device 286 that has 8 delivery sheaths 288 that deploy 8
surgical coils 290 simultaneously to suture an artificial heart
valve 292 to the annulus of the atrium 294. The method of use may
follow the sequence of the figures, wherein, in FIG. 60 the
delivery device 286 is positioned with the delivery sheaths 288
disposed within tissue 294 adjacent the heart valve 292. In FIG.
61, the surgical coils 290 are being deployed from the distal ports
(not shown) of the 8 delivery sheaths 288. In FIG. 62, the delivery
device has been proximally retracted, and the heart valve 292
secured to the heart tissue 294 by the surgical coils 290.
[0208] FIGS. 63-68 show another embodiment of a delivery device 296
and method where the distal end 298 of the delivery device 296 can
deploy two surgical coils 300 simultaneously from opposing sides of
a tissue cut 302 and can be used as a stapling or suturing device
for the closure of tissue incisions or cuts. The method of use can
follow the sequence of FIGS. 65-68. FIG. 63 shows a distal portion
304 of a deployment shaft assembly 306 wherein the distal ends of a
first delivery sheath 312 and a second delivery sheath 314 are
disposed within and radially constrained by an outer sheath 316.
FIG. 64 shows the deployment shaft assembly 306 with the outer
sheath 316 proximally retracted and the distal ends 308 and 310 of
the delivery sheaths 312 and 314 in a radially expanded and relaxed
state.
[0209] The deployment shaft assembly 306 is then advanced towards
target tissue, such as tissue which has a cut therein. The
sharpened distal tips 308 and 310 of the first and second delivery
sheaths 312 and 314 are then forced into tissue on opposite sides
of the cut and the outer sheath 316 then advanced distally. This
motion of the outer sheath 316 reasserts the radial constraint on
the distal ends 308 and 310 of the delivery sheaths 312 and 314 and
pulls both the distal ends 308 and 310 of the delivery sheaths 312
and 314 and the tissue on opposite sides of the cut closer together
as shown in FIG. 66. A first surgical coil 300 and a second
surgical coil 301 are then deployed from first and second distal
ports 318 and 320 of the delivery sheaths 312 and 314 into the
tissue as shown in FIG. 67, with the cut in the tissue being
permanently closed at the end of the procedure as shown in FIG. 68.
The delivery device 296 has a low profile that facilitates
placement through an endoscope, cannula or a confined space. A
portion of the coils 300 and 301 are shown exposed on the external
surface of the tissue, however, the coils 300 and 301 can be placed
deeper and remain completely implanted in the tissue.
[0210] FIGS. 69-75 show another embodiment of a delivery device
where a distal end of the delivery device can deploy a radial
pattern of surgical coils that are not on a specific or fixed
radius. The delivery device 322 is a low profile catheter that can
be readily passed through a natural body track or channel, e.g.,
artery, vein, GI tract, urethra etc. A distal portion 324 of the
delivery device 322 is configured to be expanded as necessary for a
given indication. An expansion member 326, such as an expandable
balloon can be used to expand a distal portion of the delivery
sheaths 328 of the delivery device 322. A balloon expansion method
is shown which allows the delivery device to accommodate anatomical
and device size variations.
[0211] FIGS. 69-75 show how the delivery device 322 may be used to
attach the leg of a stent or stent-graft 330 that may be used to
treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The method of use may
follow the sequence of the figures. This delivery device 322 is
not, however, limited to the AAA application only. For example, the
delivery device 322 could also be used to attach vascular grafts to
artery walls or place a radial pattern of coils in the GI tract of
a patient that could subsequently be used to make a purse string
suture prior to cutting away a portion of the patient's colon.
[0212] In FIG. 70, the delivery device 322 is shown being advanced
into a AAA stent 330 over a guidewire 332. The balloon at the
distal end 334 of the delivery device 322, which is disposed within
the circumferential configuration of delivery sheaths 328, is then
expanded which forces the distal ends of the delivery sheaths 328
against an inside surface 336 of the AAA stent 330 as shown in
FIGS. 71, 72 and 73. The AAA stent can be positioned within a
patient's artery or other vessel either before or after the balloon
326 is expanded. Once positioned, surgical coils 338 are deployed
from distal ports 340 of the delivery sheaths 328 as shown in FIG.
74 and the surgical coils 338 then penetrate the material of the
AAA stent 330 and the adjacent tissue of the body vessel 342 as
shown in FIG. 75. The surgical coils 338 deployed may penetrate the
wall of the vessel 342 completely, or may be embedded in the wall
of the vessel 342 and not break an outside surface 343 of the
vessel 342.
[0213] FIGS. 76-78 show another embodiment of a delivery device 344
where a distal end of delivery device 344 can deploy a linear
pattern of surgical coils 348 simultaneously from opposing
directions and may be used as a stapling or suturing device for the
closure of tissue incisions or cuts. The method of use for the
delivery device 344 may follow the sequence of the FIGS. 76-78. The
delivery device 344 could be used for rapid closure of cuts or
wounds. FIGS. 76-78 show a portion of the surgical coils 348
exposed on an external surface 350 of the tissue, however, the
surgical coils 348 can also be placed deeper in the tissue 352 and
remain completely implanted beneath a surface of the tissue 352. In
FIG. 76 a delivery sheath housing 354 securing 8 delivery sheaths
356 in fixed relation is disposed adjacent a portion of tissue 352
having a cut in the surface thereof. FIG. 77 shows the sharpened
distal tips 358 of the delivery sheaths 356 penetrating the tissue
352 with the surgical coils 348 being deployed from distal ports
360 of the delivery sheaths 356. FIG. 78 shows the cut in the
tissue 352 secured in a closed position by the 8 surgical coils
348. Note that the configuration of the delivery sheath housing 354
could include an arrangement similar to that of FIG. 63 with an
outer sheath 316 that could be activated to squeeze the cut of the
tissue 352 closed by advancing same over radially expanded distal
portions of the delivery sheaths 356. One alternative of this
method is to use manual closure of the wound or cut 352 during
deployment of the surgical coils 348.
[0214] Embodiments of devices and methods are also contemplated for
attaching items to surgical coils in conjunction with a the coil
deployment process. Some of the items that can be attached to a
surgical coil 10 during deployment include, but are not limited to,
suture lines, anchor lines, electrical leads & catheters. These
attachments can be attached at the surface of tissue or implanted
in tissue at any depth when the coils are placed or deployed as
shown in FIG. 45.
[0215] FIGS. 79-91 show devices for and methods of making an
attachment to a variety of tissue types by use of a surgical coil
as an anchor member. The delivery device 362 shown in FIGS. 79-109
can have features similar or identical to features of the delivery
device 138 shown in FIGS. 25-41C. The delivery device 362 shown in
FIG. 79 has a deployment shaft assembly 364, a delivery actuator
housing 366, a delivery sheath actuator 368 slidingly engaged with
the delivery actuator housing 366 and a cylindrical actuator 370
slidingly engaged with the delivery sheath actuator 368. Such a
delivery device 362 may be used for deployment of a surgical coil
attachment 372, where the attachment 372 (for example, a length of
flexible suture) may be enclosed within alignment tubes 374
disposed within an outer sheath 376 of the deployment shaft
assembly 364. The suture 372 can be fed through a side port 378 of
the delivery actuator housing 364 of the delivery device 362 as
shown in FIG. 80. The side port 378 feeds into a deployment shaft
assembly 364 where it may be placed alongside a surgical coil
delivery sheath 380 within an outer sheath 376 of a deployment
shaft assembly 364.
[0216] FIG. 82 illustrates a stop 382 which is used to control a
distal position of distal ends 384 of the alignment tubes 374,
which in turn determines the distal position of an attachment loop
386 of the suture 372, relative to a distal port 388 of the
surgical coil delivery sheath 380 (see FIG. 83). A distal portion
of the alignment tubes 374 may have a pre-bend or other bias
towards an outward radial direction and upward direction that is
constrained by an inside surface 390 of the outer sheath 376. The
bias of the alignment tubes may be configured to position the
attachment loop 386 at or near the center of a surgical coil being
deployed from the delivery sheath. The deployment shaft assembly
364 may be advanced to a target site while the components at a
distal end of the deployment shaft assembly 364 of the delivery
device 362 are positioned as shown in FIG. 83. The target site may
be accessed by a variety of methods, such as those shown in FIG.
45, as well as others. A sharpened distal tip 394 of the outer
sheath 376 of the deployment shaft assembly 364 may be used to
penetrate soft tissue in order to access the target site.
[0217] When the target site has been accessed, the outer sheath 376
is moved proximally as shown in FIG. 85 and the distal ends 384 of
the alignment tubes 374 are then exposed and released from a
constrained state. An incision that the outer sheath 376 made prior
to being moved proximally allows the alignment tubes 374 to spread
as shown in FIG. 86. An elongate element 396 of a surgical coil 398
is then deployed from a distal port 388 of the delivery sheath 380
and captures the attachment loop 386 of the suture as shown in FIG.
88. The delivery device 362 can then be removed, and in doing so,
the suture is allowed to pull out of the alignment tubes and is
left attached to the surgical coil 398 as shown in FIG. 89. This
method provides a means to place and anchor suture lines 372 in
tissue at difficult to access or confined places at any desired
depth.
[0218] FIGS. 90 and 91 show another embodiment of a delivery device
400 where a single leg attachment line 402 with a fixed attachment
loop 404 at a distal end thereof, is attached by a similar method
but without the need for the alignment tubes 374 of the delivery
device 362 shown in FIGS. 79-89 above. The attachment loop 404 may
be made of a stiff material (e.g. metals, such as stainless steel
or high strength polymers or composites) which ensures that an
opening is provided for a surgical coil 408 to pass through during
deployment of the surgical coil 408 and thereby be captured. When
the delivery device 400 is proximally retracted or removed, the
attachment line 402 is allowed to pull through the outer sheath 410
and remain attached to the surgical coil 408. A proximal portion
412 of the attachment 402 can be made of a variety of materials and
have a variety of configurations e.g. stainless steel, flexible or
stiff plastic, suture material, single or multi filament stand, and
the like.
[0219] Referring to FIGS. 92-95, a surgical coil anchor 414 can be
used in applications such as anchoring ligaments or tendons, when
performing soft tissue surgical reconstruction, ruptured tendons,
or torn ligaments, and other indications in which a surgeon wants
to reconstruct or repair connective tissue with respect to the bone
tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical coil anchor 414 is placed
through a pre-drilled pilot hole 416 disposed in bone tissue 418 of
a patient, having a diameter much smaller than an outer diameter of
the surgical coil anchor 414 as shown in FIGS. 92-95. The
deployment shaft assembly 364 of the delivery device 362 is
subsequently introduced into the pilot hole 416 and the surgical
coil anchor 414 is deployed therein along with a suitable
attachment member 372 into the bone 418. A ligament or tendon may
then be sutured and anchored to the bone tissue 418 using the
anchor attachment 414. The anchor attachment 414 can be a piece of
suture, wire or the like.
[0220] A bone-drilling device (not shown) can be used that permits
the drill to adjust its approach angle while maintaining the same
entry point at the bone surface 420. Multiple passes of the drill
can be made into the bone at the same entry point 418 at varying
angles to produce a small round profile hole 416 at the surface 420
of the bone 418 tapering to an incrementally larger oval profile
hole or cavity 422 beneath the surface 420 of the bone tissue 418
as seen in FIG. 93. The round entry hole 416 is made large enough
to accept a distal end 392 of a delivery device 362 while part of
the oval profile cavity 422 beneath the surface 420 of the bone
tissue 418 is made large enough to accommodate a surgical coil
anchor 414.
[0221] Alternatively a straight pilot hole 424 can be drilled
through a thin section of bone tissue 418 and into the bone marrow
426 as shown in FIG. 94. Thereafter, the delivery device 362 can be
introduced through the pilot hole 424 into the marrow 426 and the
surgical coil anchor 414 deployed along with an attachment member
372 into the bone marrow 426.
[0222] Yet another embodiment of a delivery device installs an
attachment member from a distal end of the delivery-device as shown
in FIGS. 96-101. This method allows shorter attachment members 428
to be used, which can optionally be dispensed from a cassette for
sterility and convenience if required. The delivery device 362 used
for the deployment shaft assembly 430 shown in FIGS. 96-101 can be
the same or similar to the delivery device 362 discussed above and
shown in FIGS. 79-91. An outer sheath 432 of the deployment shaft
assembly 430 has a proximal slot 434 and a distal slot 436 which
are configured to engage a retainer spring 438 of the attachment
member 428. The attachment member 428 is relatively short in axial
length and has an attachment loop 440 at the distal end.
[0223] The attachment member 442 is loaded into a distal port 444
of the outer sheath 432 until a proximal end of the attachment
member 442 rests against a stop 448 which is fixed to an outside
surface 450 of a delivery sheath 452 disposed within the outer
sheath 432 at which point the retainer spring 438 also engages the
proximal slot 434 in the outer sheath 432. The deployment shaft
assembly 430 is then advanced to a target site, and the outer
sheath 432 retracted relative to the attachment member 428 and
delivery sheath 452 until the retainer spring 438 on the attachment
member 428 engages the distal slot 436 of the outer sheath 432 as
shown in FIG. 99. A surgical coil 454 is then deployed from a
distal port 456 of the delivery sheath 452 through the attachment
loop 440 of the attachment member 428 as shown in FIG. 99. The
deployment shaft asssembly 430 is thereafter retracted proximally
leaving the attachment member 428 secured to the tissue at the
target site or captured by bone tissue 418 if deployed in a cavity
422 formed in bone tissue 418, or the like as shown in FIGS. 100
and 101.
[0224] Referring to FIGS. 102-109, another embodiment of a delivery
device 458 uses an attachment member 460 that can be joined to
multiple surgical coils 462 simultaneously. The delivery device 458
can be used to anchor an attachment member 460 to a target tissue
site and allow a surgeon to locate and excise a pathologically
suspect tissue mass or other tissue of interest. The attachment
member has three resilient attachment loops 459 disposed adjacent
distal ports of three respective delivery sheaths 461. When the
attachment loops 459 are constrained within an outer sheath 463,
they assume a constrained first outer diameter as illustrated in
FIG. 106. When released from the constraint of the outer sheath
463, as shown in FIG. 107, the attachment loops then assume a
relaxed state having a greater outer diameter, greater than an
outer diameter of the outer sheath 463 in some embodiments. The
attachment loops are then positioned at or near the center of
surgical coils 462 which can then be deployed from the delivery
sheaths 461 as shown in FIGS. 105 and 107. Once deployed, the
surgical coils 462 will not migrate from the target site. This can
be important for certain indications, specifically in breast biopsy
procedures where the breast may be compressed during placement of
the surgical coils 462. This, movement of the surgical coils 462 is
prevented when compression is released from at the breast at the
completion of the imaging procedure, or if the attachment leg 464
is inadvertently shifted after the procedure. The attachment leg
464 that extends out of the patient's body can be flexible, making
it more tolerable for a patient awaiting surgery.
[0225] FIGS. 110-125 show an embodiment of a deflecting delivery
device 466. The delivery device 466 may have features that are the
same as or similar to those of the delivery devices 138 and 362
discussed above. The method of deployment may follow the sequence
in FIGS. 114-121. The delivery device 466 is similar to the low
profile single coil needle delivery devices 138 and 362 shown in
FIGS. 25 and 46 with the addition of a surgical coil delivery
sheath 468 having a preformed curve 470 at a distal end 472 thereof
as shown in FIG. 115. The coil delivery sheath 468 can be made from
materials that exhibit either great elasticity or shape memory
properties. Suitable materials for fabrication of the coil delivery
tube include, but are not limited to, nickel titanium alloys
(Nitinol), stainless steel, elgiloy, and MP35N.
[0226] The delivery device 466 also has an additional outer sheath
474 that has a close sliding fit with the delivery sheath 468. This
outer sheath 474 can be moved relative to the delivery sheath 468
by repositioning the finger grip 476 shown in FIGS. 110-113. When
the finger grip 476 is in the proximal position the deflecting
delivery sheath 468 will be completely covered and straightened by
the outer sheath 474. In this position the device 466 can be used
in the same manner as the low profile single coil delivery devices
138 and 240. When the finger grip 476 is moved distally, however,
the delivery sheath 468 exits a distal end of the outer sheath 474
and is allowed to assume its natural relaxed shape or configuration
as shown in FIG. 115. Subsequently, the shape of the delivery
sheath 468 will redirect the placement of any surgical coils 478
ejected or deployed relative to the centerline axis of the delivery
device 466.
[0227] One clinical application that would benefit from this
embodiment of the delivery device 466 is the marking of biopsy
sites and tissue masses. One method of clinical use is illustrated
in FIGS. 122 and 123. A mammatome 480 is a device frequently used
to biopsy breast abnormalities. Part of the procedure often entails
placing one or more markers 478 in wall of a biopsy cavity 482.
Previously used designs of these markers 478 frequently are
dislodged from the placement site by the cut out or lateral
aperture 484 of the mammatome device 480. In order to prevent this,
the deflecting delivery device 466 may place the markers 478 in the
tissue 486 around the target tissue 482 of the biopsy site not
within the target tissue. Thus, the marker or markers 478 will not
be dislodged during the biopsy procedure. This method provides
assurance that the marker or markers 478 remain fixed after
deployment.
[0228] Another method of deploying markers 478 is shown in FIGS.
124 and 125 where a delivery device 466 is placed in a
pathologically suspect tissue mass 488. It is often desirable to be
able to accurately mark the location prior to surgery to ensure
that the suspect mass 488 is totally excised. It has become common
practice when dealing with breast cancer to remove not only the
suspect mass 488 but also a 1 cm margin surrounding the suspect
mass 488. FIGS. 124 and 125 show the deflecting delivery device 466
being used to place surgical coils 478 at this margin boundary 490.
Using a single insertion entry site for the delivery device 466,
multiple surgical coils 478 can be deployed within a lesion or
target tissue 488. The delivery device 466 can be used with the
delivery sheath 468 undeflected to mark the anterior and posterior
boundary 490, by simply keeping the outer sheath 474 in a distal
position as shown in FIG. 113.
[0229] The deflecting delivery sheath 468 can then be advanced and
a surgical coil 478 placed at both boundaries as shown in FIGS. 124
and 125. The deflection of the delivery sheath 468 is correctly
sized in this embodiment to ensure that the surgical coil 478 is
position 1 cm off the centerline 500 as shown in FIG. 125. After
deployment of a surgical coil 478, the delivery sheath 468 is
retracted, the delivery device 466 is rotated, once again the
delivery sheath 468 is advanced and another surgical coil 478
deployed at a new location. This process is repeated as many times
as is necessary to correctly identify the perimeter 490 of the
suspect target tissue mass 488. The maximum deflection angle shown
in FIGS. 110-125 is approximately 90 degrees, however, the amount
of deflection can be increased or decreased for this or other
embodiments.
[0230] Refering to FIGS. 126-135, an embodiment of a method and
tools for manufacturing surgical coils are illustrated. FIGS.
126-130 illustrate a shape forming jig 502 for shape setting a
piece of ribbon material 504, such as metallic Nitinol ribbon
material, into a coil configuration. The jig 502 has a cylindrical
cavity 506 with an inside diameter that defines an outside diameter
of a coil produced by the jig 502. An access slot 508 communicates
from the cylindrical cavity 506 to an outer wall 510 of the jig
body 502. Both the cylindrical cavity 506 and the access slot 508
are open at a top surface 512 of the jig 502 to facilitate removal
of the heat set ribbon 504, as shown in FIG. 130. A post member 514
is positioned in the center of the cylindrical cavity 506 which is
cylindrically shaped and together with the cylindrical cavity 506
of the jig 502 body forms a circular slot 516 in communication with
the access slot 508.
[0231] The access slot 508 meets the circular slot 516 in a
tangential orientation which allows a piece of metallic ribbon 504
to be inserted from outside the jig 502, through the access slot
508 and into the circular slot 516 as shown in FIG. 128. As the
ribbon material enters the circular slot 504, it begins to follow
the curvature of the cylindrical cavity 506 and is bounded radially
by an inside surface 518 of the cylindrical cavity 506 and an
outside surface 520 of the post member 514. The metallic ribbon 504
is forced into the circular slot 516 until a desired amount of
circumferential overlap is formed in the coil configuration of the
ribbon material 504. The entire jig 502 and metallic ribbon 504 may
then be placed within a heat source so as to heat treat the Nitinol
ribbon material 504 to take a set in the coiled configuration and
assume the desired mechanical properties for a surgical coil
522.
[0232] In some embodiments of surgical coils 522, it is desired
that the material of the surgical coil have superelastic
properties. Heat treatment parameters that can be used include
subjecting the coiled ribbon material 504 in the jig 502 to a
temperature of about 400 to about 500 degrees C. for several
minutes. More specifically, subjecting the ribbon material 504 to a
temperature of about 480 to about 500 degrees C. for about 1 to
about 5 minutes. One embodiment of an alloy that can be used for
this process includes a Nitinol alloy having about 55.7 to about
55.9 composition by weight nickel, with the remainder or balance
being tin. Another Nitinol alloy that is suitable includes an alloy
having about 55.5 to about 55.7 composition by weight nickel, with
the balance being tin. Such compositions may undergo cold working
processes prior to the heat treatment discussed above.
[0233] Once the metallic ribbon material 504 has been heat treated
and removed from the jig 502, it can then be inserted into a
constraint slot 524 of a punch 526 and die 528 as shown in FIGS.
131-135, which is configured to cut the shape-formed ribbon 504, or
elongate element 530 to length and produce a proximal end 532 and
distal end 534 having a desired configuration. FIG. 131 illustrates
the metal punch member 526 and a metal die member 528 which can be
manufactured from any appropriate material, such as tool steel or
the like. The punch member 526 has a first punch element 536 and a
second punch element 538. The first punch element 536 is configured
to cut the ribbon material 504 into a sharp wedge tipped
configuration in order to form the sharp pointed, tissue
penetrating wedge shaped distal tip 540 of an elongate element 530
as discussed above. The second punch element 538 is configured to
cut a wedge shaped "V" in the ribbon material 504 in order to
produce the wedge shaped proximal end 542 of an elongate element
530, also as discussed above.
[0234] Once the punch 526 and die 528 has been activated and the
proximal and distal ends 532 and 534 respectively of a shape formed
elongate element 530 are formed, the elongate element 530 can then
be forced from the constraint slot 524 of the punch 526 and die 528
with another piece of ribbon 504 or the like. It may be desireable
to load the newly formed elongate element 530 of a surgical coil
directly into another constraining device configured for storage or
sterilization of the elongate element 530.
[0235] The apparatus and methods of the present invention may be
embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit
or essential characteristics. Embodiments can be combined to create
other embodiments for example combining the deflecting delivery
system embodiment with the attachment embodiment to create a
defecting attachment coil delivery device. The described
embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as
illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it is not intended
that the invention be limited, except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *