US20040049224A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Target tissue localization assembly and method
Assignee: Artemis Medical Inc
•
Filing: 2002-08-05
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2022-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A target tissue localization assembly includes a radially expandable tissue anchor connected to the distal ends of an anchor assembly and an elongated anchor actuator element. A lock, engageable between the actuator element and the placement element, may be used to prevent collapse of the anchor from its radially expanded state. A sheath may be slidably mounted over the anchor assembly. The sheath and the anchor assembly may be configured to permit the sheath to move in a proximal direction, relative to the anchor assembly, past a chosen location while preventing the sheath from moving past the chosen location in a distal direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Buehlmann
- 👤 Robert Laird
- 👤 William Dubrul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B18/148; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B2017/1205; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22061; A61B2017/2212; A61B2017/2215; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00601; A61B2018/1475; A61B2090/3904; A61B2090/3908; A61B90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
1 . A target tissue localization assembly comprising: an anchor assembly comprising: an elongated placement element having a placement element distal end and a placement element proximal end; an elongated anchor actuator element having an actuator element distal end and an actuator element proximal end, extending along the placement element, the actuator element distal end movable relative to the placement element distal end; and a radially expandable tissue anchor operably coupleable to the placement and anchor actuator elements, movable from a radially contracted condition to a radially expanded, deployed condition when the distal ends are moved relative to one another from a first state to a second state; and a lock engageable between the actuator element and the placement element when the anchor is in the deployed condition to at least temporarily prevent collapse of the anchor by preventing movement of the distal ends back to the first state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
1 . A target tissue localization assembly comprising: an anchor assembly comprising: an elongated placement element having a placement element distal end and a placement element proximal end; an elongated anchor actuator element having an actuator element distal end and an actuator element proximal end, extending along the placement element, the actuator element distal end movable relative to the placement element distal end; and a radially expandable tissue anchor operably coupleable to the placement and anchor actuator elements, movable from a radially contracted condition to a radially expanded, deployed condition when the distal ends are moved relative to one another from a first state to a second state; and a lock engageable between the actuator element and the placement element when the anchor is in the deployed condition to at least temporarily prevent collapse of the anchor by preventing movement of the distal ends back to the first state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
2 . The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the anchor is connected to the distal ends of the placement and anchor actuator elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
3 . The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a sheath slidably mounted over the anchor assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
4 . The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the placement element comprises a hollow shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
5 . The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the placement element is stiff.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
6 . The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the anchor actuator element comprises a wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
7 . The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the anchor comprises a tubular mesh tissue anchor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
8 . The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the anchor is an axially collapsible, radially expandable anchor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
9 . The assembly according to claim 8 wherein the anchor is movable from the radially contracted condition to the radially expanded, deployed condition when the distal ends are moved towards one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
10 . The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising the sheath assembly, said sheath assembly comprising: a sheath, having proximal and distal ends, slidably mounted over the anchor assembly; and a hub mounted to the proximal end of the sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
116 words
11 . The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising: a sheath slidably mounted over the anchor assembly; a chosen one of the placement element and the sheath comprising a surface interruption at a first location along said chosen one; the other of the placement element and the sheath comprising a surface interruption engagement element at a second position along said other; and the surface interruption element and the surface interruption engagement element being configured to (a) permit the surface interruption engagement element to move past the surface interruption in a first direction but (b) not permit the surface interruption engagement element to move past the surface interruption in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
12 . The assembly according to claim 11 wherein said sheath comprises a hub, said surface interruption comprises a shoulder defined by a groove formed in the placement element, and said surface interruption engagement element comprises a clip carried by the hub, said clip comprising a spring finger which frictionally engages said placement element and permits the hub to move in a proximal direction past said shoulder while preventing the hub from moving past the shoulder in a distal direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
13 . The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the lock has a first surface and the placement element has a second surface, the first surface movable to a stable engagement position contacting the second surface when the anchor is in the deployed condition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
14 . The assembly according to claim 13 wherein said placement element defines an axis and the first and second surfaces engage along a plane at an acute angle to said axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
15 . The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a handle housing the lock.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
16 . The assembly according to claim 15 wherein said handle is removable, thereby exposing the lock, when the anchor is in the deployed condition and the first and second surfaces are engaged.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
17 . The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said anchor is effectively fully radially expanded when in the deployed condition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
18 . The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a protective cover, having a hollow cover interior, removably covering the placement element proximal end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
19 . The assembly according to claim 18 wherein the placement element comprises a hollow tubular placement element and the protective cover has a fluid coupling so to permit fluid to be introduced through the fluid coupling, through the hollow cover interior and through the hollow tubular placement element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
173 words
20 . A target tissue localization assembly comprising: an elongated placement element having a placement element distal end and a placement element proximal end; an elongated anchor actuator element having an actuator element distal end and an actuator element proximal end, extending along the placement element, the actuator element distal end movable relative to the placement element distal end; a radially expandable tissue anchor having a distal anchor portion connected to the distal end of the anchor actuator element and a proximal anchor portion, at least a portion of the anchor positionable at an extended position relative to the distal end of the placement element; a movement-limiting element engageable between the placement element and the proximal anchor portion when at said extended position so to at least hinder proximal movement of the proximal anchor portion when said actuator element is pulled proximally to permit radial expansion of the anchor to a deployed condition; and locking means for at least temporarily preventing collapse of the anchor when the anchor is in the deployed condition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
173 words
20 . A target tissue localization assembly comprising: an elongated placement element having a placement element distal end and a placement element proximal end; an elongated anchor actuator element having an actuator element distal end and an actuator element proximal end, extending along the placement element, the actuator element distal end movable relative to the placement element distal end; a radially expandable tissue anchor having a distal anchor portion connected to the distal end of the anchor actuator element and a proximal anchor portion, at least a portion of the anchor positionable at an extended position relative to the distal end of the placement element; a movement-limiting element engageable between the placement element and the proximal anchor portion when at said extended position so to at least hinder proximal movement of the proximal anchor portion when said actuator element is pulled proximally to permit radial expansion of the anchor to a deployed condition; and locking means for at least temporarily preventing collapse of the anchor when the anchor is in the deployed condition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
21 . The assembly according to claim 20 wherein the placement element comprises a stiff hollow shaft, said stiff hollow shaft constituting an introducer sheath.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
22 . The assembly according to claim 20 wherein the movement-limiting element is engageable between the distal end of the placement element and the proximal anchor portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
23 . The assembly according to claim 20 wherein the anchor actuator element comprises a flexible wire.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
24 . The assembly according to claim 20 wherein the anchor comprises an inner surface at said proximal anchor portion and the locking means comprises an element which frictionally engages the inner surface when the anchor is in the deployed condition.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
25 . The assembly according to claim 20 wherein said movement-limiting element extends radially outwardly and longitudinally proximally from the proximal anchor portion so to engage the placement element distal end.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
26 . The assembly according to claim 20 further comprising a protective cover, having a hollow cover interior, removably covering a proximal end of the placement element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
27 . The assembly according to claim 26 wherein the placement element comprises a hollow tubular placement element and the protective cover has a fluid coupling so to permit fluid to be introduced through the fluid coupling, through the hollow cover interior and through the hollow tubular placement element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
28 . The assembly according to claim 20 wherein the anchor actuator element comprises a wire.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
29 . The assembly according to claim 28 wherein the wire comprises a flexible twisted wire.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
30 . The assembly according to claim 20 wherein the anchor comprises a tubular mesh tissue anchor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
31 . The assembly according to claim 20 wherein the anchor is an axially collapsible, radially expandable anchor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
32 . The assembly according to claim 31 wherein the anchor is movable from a radially contracted condition to a radially expanded, deployed condition when the distal and proximal anchor portions are moved towards one another.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
33 . A target tissue localization assembly comprising: anchor assembly means for locating a tissue anchor at a target site and selectively expanding the anchor from a radially contracted state to a radially expanded state; and locking means for at least temporarily preventing the anchor from moving from the radially expanded state to the radially contracted state.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
57 words
33 . A target tissue localization assembly comprising: anchor assembly means for locating a tissue anchor at a target site and selectively expanding the anchor from a radially contracted state to a radially expanded state; and locking means for at least temporarily preventing the anchor from moving from the radially expanded state to the radially contracted state.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
131 words
34 . A method for localizing target tissue at a target site of a patient comprising: percutaneously positioning a tip of an anchor assembly at or near a target site of a patient, the anchor assembly comprising; an elongated placement element; an elongated anchor actuator element extending along the placement element; and a radially expandable tissue anchor operably coupled to the placement and anchor actuator elements; placing the anchor in a radially expanded condition by moving at least portions of the anchor actuator and placement elements relative to one another in a first direction; and at least temporarily preventing movement of said portions of the anchor actuator and placement elements relative to one another in a second direction opposite said first direction thereby maintaining the anchor in the radially expanded condition.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
131 words
34 . A method for localizing target tissue at a target site of a patient comprising: percutaneously positioning a tip of an anchor assembly at or near a target site of a patient, the anchor assembly comprising; an elongated placement element; an elongated anchor actuator element extending along the placement element; and a radially expandable tissue anchor operably coupled to the placement and anchor actuator elements; placing the anchor in a radially expanded condition by moving at least portions of the anchor actuator and placement elements relative to one another in a first direction; and at least temporarily preventing movement of said portions of the anchor actuator and placement elements relative to one another in a second direction opposite said first direction thereby maintaining the anchor in the radially expanded condition.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
35 . The method according to claim 34 wherein the tip positioning step is carried out at a target site within a breast of a patient.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
74 words
36 . The method according to claim 34 wherein the placing step is carried out by: positioning the tip at the target site; moving the anchor assembly in a distal direction so to position the tip at a first distal position; expanding the anchor to its radially expanded condition; and said moving and expanding steps carried out so that the radially expanded anchor is at the target site when in its radially expanded condition.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
64 words
37 . The method according to claim 34 wherein the placing step comprises grasping a handle, the handle engaging a proximal portion of the actuator element, pushing the handle and the actuator element therewith in a distal direction to a distal position, and then pulling the handle and the actuator element therewith in a proximal direction from the distal position to a proximal position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
38 . The method according to claim 37 further comprising separating the handle from the anchor assembly.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
39 . The method according to claim 34 wherein the tip positioning step takes place with the anchor assembly slidably housed within a sheath assembly.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
39 words
40 . The method according to claim 39 further comprising: maintaining the sheath assembly at a fixed position relative to the patient following the positioning step; and preventing proximal movement of the placement element relative to the sheath assembly.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
41 . The method according to claim 34 wherein said sheath is moved proximally when moved in said first direction and said sheath is move distally when moved in said second direction.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
179 words
42 . A target tissue localization assembly comprising: an anchor assembly comprising: an elongated placement element; an elongated anchor actuator element extending along the placement element; and a radially expandable tissue anchor operably coupleable to the placement and anchor actuator elements so to move from a radially contracted condition to a radially expanded condition when at least portions of the anchor actuator element and the placement element are moved relative to one another; a sheath slidably mounted over the anchor assembly; a chosen one of the placement element and the sheath comprising a surface interruption at a first location along said chosen one; the other of the placement element and the sheath comprising a surface interruption engagement element at a second position along said other; and the surface interruption element and the surface interruption engagement element being configured to (a) permit the surface interruption engagement element to move past the surface interruption in a first direction but (b) not permit the surface interruption engagement element to move past the surface interruption in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
179 words
42 . A target tissue localization assembly comprising: an anchor assembly comprising: an elongated placement element; an elongated anchor actuator element extending along the placement element; and a radially expandable tissue anchor operably coupleable to the placement and anchor actuator elements so to move from a radially contracted condition to a radially expanded condition when at least portions of the anchor actuator element and the placement element are moved relative to one another; a sheath slidably mounted over the anchor assembly; a chosen one of the placement element and the sheath comprising a surface interruption at a first location along said chosen one; the other of the placement element and the sheath comprising a surface interruption engagement element at a second position along said other; and the surface interruption element and the surface interruption engagement element being configured to (a) permit the surface interruption engagement element to move past the surface interruption in a first direction but (b) not permit the surface interruption engagement element to move past the surface interruption in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
80 words
43 . The assembly according to claim 42 wherein said sheath comprises a hub, said surface interruption comprises a shoulder defined by a groove formed in the placement element, and said surface interruption engagement element comprises a clip carried by the hub, said clip comprising a spring finger which frictionally engages said placement element and permits the hub to move in a proximal direction past said shoulder while preventing the hub from moving past the shoulder in a distal direction.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
44 . The assembly according to claim 42 wherein the placement and anchor actuation elements have distal ends, and the anchor is connected to the distal ends of the placement and anchor actuator elements.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
45 . The assembly according to claim 42 wherein the placement element comprises a hollow shaft.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
46 . The assembly according to claim 42 wherein the placement element is stiff.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
47 . The assembly according to claim 42 wherein the anchor actuator element comprises a wire.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
48 . The assembly according to claim 42 wherein the anchor comprises a tubular mesh tissue anchor.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
49 . The assembly according to claim 42 wherein the anchor is an axially collapsible, radially expandable anchor.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
42 words
50 . The assembly according to claim 49 wherein the placement and anchor actuator elements have distal ends, and the anchor is movable from the radially contracted condition to the radially expanded condition when the distal ends are moved towards one another.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
51 . The assembly according to claim 42 wherein said anchor is effectively fully radially expanded when in the deployed condition.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
52 . The assembly according to claim 42 further comprising a protective cover, having a hollow cover interior, removably covering a proximal end of the placement element.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
49 words
53 . The assembly according to claim 52 wherein the placement element comprises a hollow tubular placement element and the protective cover has a fluid coupling so to permit fluid to be introduced through the fluid coupling, through the hollow cover interior and through the hollow tubular placement element.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
91 words
54 . A target tissue localization assembly comprising: anchor assembly means for locating a tissue anchor at a target site and selectively expanding the anchor from a radially contracted state to a radially expanded state; sheath means slidably mounted over the anchor assembly means; and means for (a) permitting a first location along the sheath means to move in a first direction past a second location along the anchor assembly means while (b) preventing the first location from moving past the second location in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
91 words
54 . A target tissue localization assembly comprising: anchor assembly means for locating a tissue anchor at a target site and selectively expanding the anchor from a radially contracted state to a radially expanded state; sheath means slidably mounted over the anchor assembly means; and means for (a) permitting a first location along the sheath means to move in a first direction past a second location along the anchor assembly means while (b) preventing the first location from moving past the second location in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
153 words
55 . A method for localizing target tissue at a target site of a patient comprising: percutaneously positioning a tip of an anchor assembly, slidably housed within a sheath assembly, at a target position relative to a target site of a patient, the anchor assembly comprising; an elongated placement element; an elongated anchor actuator element extending along the placement element, said anchor actuator element comprising the tip; and a radially expandable tissue anchor connected to the placement and anchor actuator elements; maintaining the sheath assembly at a fixed position relative to the patient following the positioning step; sliding the placement element distally within the sheath assembly from a first position to a second position; preventing proximal movement of the placement element relative to the sheath assembly from the second position to the first position; and placing the anchor in a radially expanded condition by moving the anchor assembly relative to the placement element.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
153 words
55 . A method for localizing target tissue at a target site of a patient comprising: percutaneously positioning a tip of an anchor assembly, slidably housed within a sheath assembly, at a target position relative to a target site of a patient, the anchor assembly comprising; an elongated placement element; an elongated anchor actuator element extending along the placement element, said anchor actuator element comprising the tip; and a radially expandable tissue anchor connected to the placement and anchor actuator elements; maintaining the sheath assembly at a fixed position relative to the patient following the positioning step; sliding the placement element distally within the sheath assembly from a first position to a second position; preventing proximal movement of the placement element relative to the sheath assembly from the second position to the first position; and placing the anchor in a radially expanded condition by moving the anchor assembly relative to the placement element.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
56 . The method according to claim 55 wherein the tip positioning step is carried out at a target site within a breast of a patient.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
74 words
57 . The method according to claim 55 wherein the placing step is carried out by: positioning the tip at the target site; moving the anchor assembly in a distal direction so to position the tip at a first distal position; expanding the anchor to its radially expanded condition; and said moving and expanding steps carried out so that the radially expanded anchor is at the target site when in its radially expanded condition.
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