US5445167A — Methods of applying surgical chips and suture tie…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 183 words

A method of suturing bodily tissue, comprising the steps of: engaging the bodily tissue with at least one distal end of a suture tie device comprised of at least two generally opposed leg members, each of the leg members being comprised of a proximal portion and a distal portion having a tissue engaging portion terminating at a distal end; displacing one of the leg member distal ends relative to the other so as to position the distal ends adjacent to one another to position the bodily tissue between the leg member distal ends; displacing the proximal portion of one of the leg members relative to the proximal portion of the opposed leg member to attain a generally superposed orientation, thereby forming a selectively tensionable suture loop between the adjacent leg member distal ends and the generally superposed leg member proximal portions; and tensioning the suture loop to a user selected level of tissue tension, whereby relative displacement of the leg member proximal portions is accomplished by displacing a locking/tying member along at least one of the leg members toward the adjacently-positioned distal ends.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 183 words

A method of suturing bodily tissue, comprising the steps of: engaging the bodily tissue with at least one distal end of a suture tie device comprised of at least two generally opposed leg members, each of the leg members being comprised of a proximal portion and a distal portion having a tissue engaging portion terminating at a distal end; displacing one of the leg member distal ends relative to the other so as to position the distal ends adjacent to one another to position the bodily tissue between the leg member distal ends; displacing the proximal portion of one of the leg members relative to the proximal portion of the opposed leg member to attain a generally superposed orientation, thereby forming a selectively tensionable suture loop between the adjacent leg member distal ends and the generally superposed leg member proximal portions; and tensioning the suture loop to a user selected level of tissue tension, whereby relative displacement of the leg member proximal portions is accomplished by displacing a locking/tying member along at least one of the leg members toward the adjacently-positioned distal ends.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 57 words

A method according to claim 1 wherein the locking/tying member and the proximal portion along which the locking/tying member is displaceable are provided with coupling means comprising a plurality of mutually engageable engaging members, the method further comprising the step of selectively disengaging the plurality of mutually engageable engaging members to effect displacement of the locking/tying member.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of re-engaging the mutually engageable engaging members to inhibit movement of the locking/tying member in at least a single predetermined direction of movement.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method according to claim 3, wherein re-engagement of the mutually engageable engaging members inhibits movement of the locking/tying member in a proximal direction.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method according to claim 2, wherein re-engagement of the mutually engageable engaging members inhibits movement of the locking/tying member in both a proximal and a distal direction.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of severing a section of the proximal portion of at least one of the leg members following suture loop formation.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of removing the severed section of the suture tie device.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of interlocking the distal ends of the opposed leg members.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of tensioning the suture loop is accomplished by progressively engaging mutually engageable engaging members mounted to each of the opposed leg members.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of suture loop tensioning is accomplished by progressively inserting one leg member into a channel formed in the opposed leg member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of engaging mutually engageable retaining members provided along the channel and the leg member inserted in the channel to retain the leg member within the channel.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of penetrating the bodily tissue with at least one of the distal ends of the opposed leg members.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 40 words

A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of positioning the distal ends of the leg members within a suture tie device applicator having a cradle and penetrating the tissue to be sutured thereby with the applicator cradle.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 152 words

A method for constricting the diameter of a generally tubular member within the body of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the tubular member between at least two generally opposed leg members of a suture tie device, each of the leg members comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating at a distal end; urging the distal ends of the generally opposed leg members toward one another so as to form a generally closed suture loop between the distal ends and the proximal portions of the respective leg members; progressively displacing the proximal portion of one of the leg members relative to the proximal portion of the opposed leg member so as to attain a generally superposed orientation of leg members, thereby reducing the size of the suture loop; and adjusting the size of the suture loop to obtain the desired level of constriction of the tubular member.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 152 words

A method for constricting the diameter of a generally tubular member within the body of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the tubular member between at least two generally opposed leg members of a suture tie device, each of the leg members comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating at a distal end; urging the distal ends of the generally opposed leg members toward one another so as to form a generally closed suture loop between the distal ends and the proximal portions of the respective leg members; progressively displacing the proximal portion of one of the leg members relative to the proximal portion of the opposed leg member so as to attain a generally superposed orientation of leg members, thereby reducing the size of the suture loop; and adjusting the size of the suture loop to obtain the desired level of constriction of the tubular member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method according to claim 14, wherein the distal ends of the leg members are interlockingly engaged with one another.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method according to claim 14, wherein the distal ends of the leg members are extended past one another in close proximity to one another.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 37 words

A method according to claim 14, wherein progressive displacement of the proximal portions of the leg members relative to one another is accomplished by displacing a locking/tying member distally along at least one of the leg members.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of severing a section of the proximal portion of the leg members following suture loop formation.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method according to claim 14, wherein the size of the suture loop is adjusted so as to substantially close off an interior passageway defined by the tubular member.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 37 words

A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of progressive superposition of the leg members is accomplished by progressively inserting one of the leg members into a channel formed in the other of the leg members.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 150 words

A method for reducing the size of a tissue aperture, the method comprising the steps of: engaging the tissue surrounding the aperture with at least two generally opposed legs of a suture tie device, each of the legs being comprised of a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating at a distal end; urging the distal ends of the generally opposed leg members toward one another so as to form a generally closed suture loop between the distal ends and the proximal portions of the respective leg members; progressively displacing the proximal portion of one of the opposed leg members relative to the proximal portion of the opposed leg member so as to attain a generally superposed orientation of leg members, thereby reducing the size of the suture loop; and adjusting the size of the suture loop to obtain the desired level of reduction in the size of the aperture.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 150 words

A method for reducing the size of a tissue aperture, the method comprising the steps of: engaging the tissue surrounding the aperture with at least two generally opposed legs of a suture tie device, each of the legs being comprised of a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating at a distal end; urging the distal ends of the generally opposed leg members toward one another so as to form a generally closed suture loop between the distal ends and the proximal portions of the respective leg members; progressively displacing the proximal portion of one of the opposed leg members relative to the proximal portion of the opposed leg member so as to attain a generally superposed orientation of leg members, thereby reducing the size of the suture loop; and adjusting the size of the suture loop to obtain the desired level of reduction in the size of the aperture.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method according to claim 21, wherein the distal ends of the leg members are interlockingly engaged with one another.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method according to claim 21, wherein the distal ends of the leg members are extended past one another in close proximity to one another.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method according to claim 21, wherein the progressive displacement of the proximal portions of the leg members relative to one another is accomplished by displacing a locking/tying member distally along at least one of the leg members.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of severing a section of the proximal portion of the leg members following suture loop formation.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method according to claim 21, wherein the size of the suture loop is adjusted to substantially close the tissue aperture.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 155 words

A method for applying surgical clips to bodily tissue of a patient during an endoscopic procedure, comprising the steps of: introducing a surgical clip applicator to an internal surgical field through an endoscopic passage, the surgical clip applicator having a distal end carrying a pair of opposed jaw members and a plurality of surgical clips loaded in series within the applicator and movable to be received in the jaw members; positioning a first one of the surgical clips in the pair of opposed jaw members; positioning the opposed jaw members adjacent bodily tissue to be clipped; applying the first surgical clip to the bodily tissue; positioning a second one of the surgical clips in the pair of opposed jaw members without withdrawing the surgical clip applicator from the surgical field through the endoscopic passage; positioning the opposed jaw members adjacent bodily tissue to be clipped; and applying the second surgical clip to the bodily tissue.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 155 words

A method for applying surgical clips to bodily tissue of a patient during an endoscopic procedure, comprising the steps of: introducing a surgical clip applicator to an internal surgical field through an endoscopic passage, the surgical clip applicator having a distal end carrying a pair of opposed jaw members and a plurality of surgical clips loaded in series within the applicator and movable to be received in the jaw members; positioning a first one of the surgical clips in the pair of opposed jaw members; positioning the opposed jaw members adjacent bodily tissue to be clipped; applying the first surgical clip to the bodily tissue; positioning a second one of the surgical clips in the pair of opposed jaw members without withdrawing the surgical clip applicator from the surgical field through the endoscopic passage; positioning the opposed jaw members adjacent bodily tissue to be clipped; and applying the second surgical clip to the bodily tissue.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 47 words

The method of claim 27, wherein said step of positioning the second surgical clip in the pair of opposed jaw members includes advancing the second surgical clip to the pair of opposed jaw members as the first surgical clip is being released from the opposed jaw members.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 27, wherein said applying steps include displacing the opposed jaw members toward one another to effect clip closure.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-08-28	1999-02-27	1999-08-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-08-28	2003-02-27	2003-08-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-08-28	2007-02-27	2007-08-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Methods of applying surgical chips and suture tie devices to bodily tissue during endoscopic procedures

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