US5997552A — Meniscal fastener applying device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 141 words

An anvilless fastener applying device, comprising: a handle mechanism; an elongated body portion extending from the handle mechanism having a proximal end and a distal end; a series of fasteners supported within the elongated body portion in tip-to-tail fashion, each fastener having a pair of legs joined by a flexible connecting member; a firing bar having first and second tabs extending from a distal end thereof, the firing bar being operatively connected to the handle mechanism and being movable to move the first and second tabs into engagement with the legs of a distal-most fastener of the series of fasteners to eject the distal-most fastener from the distal end of the elongated body portion into tissue; and the elongated body portion including a support casing having a cylindrical proximal cross-section tapering to a distal cross-section having planar top and bottom surfaces.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 141 words

An anvilless fastener applying device, comprising: a handle mechanism; an elongated body portion extending from the handle mechanism having a proximal end and a distal end; a series of fasteners supported within the elongated body portion in tip-to-tail fashion, each fastener having a pair of legs joined by a flexible connecting member; a firing bar having first and second tabs extending from a distal end thereof, the firing bar being operatively connected to the handle mechanism and being movable to move the first and second tabs into engagement with the legs of a distal-most fastener of the series of fasteners to eject the distal-most fastener from the distal end of the elongated body portion into tissue; and the elongated body portion including a support casing having a cylindrical proximal cross-section tapering to a distal cross-section having planar top and bottom surfaces.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

A device according to claim 1 wherein the support casing is constructed from stainless steel.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 37 words

A device according to claim 1 wherein the distal end of the elongated body portion includes a tapered distal face positioned to engage tissue, the tapered distal face extending through the distal end of the support casing.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 49 words

A device according to claim 1 further comprising a fastener supply mechanism including a follower member positioned proximal of the proximal-most fastener of the series of fasteners and a biasing member biasing the follower member into engagement with the proximal most fastener to advance the series of fasteners distally.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 67 words

A device according to claim 4 wherein the elongated body portion includes first and second longitudinal tracks extending through the length of the elongated body portion, the first and second tracks being separated by an elongated cover plate, and wherein the fastener supply mechanism and the series of fasteners are movably positioned within the first track and the firing bar is movably positioned within the second track.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 50 words

A device according to claim 5 wherein the distal end of the elongated body portion adjacent the first track includes a ramp surface, the ramp surface merging the first and second tracks into a single merged track having a longitudinal axis aligned with a longitudinal axis of the second track.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 52 words

A device according to claim 6 further comprising a retainer member secured in the distal end of the body portion and being movable from a first position retaining the distal-most fastener at least partially within the merged track to a second position permitting the distal-most fastener to travel from the merged track.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 41 words

A device according to claim 7 further comprising a leaf spring positioned adjacent the ramp surface, the leaf spring being movable from a first position obstructing fastener movement over the ramp surface to a second position spaced from the ramp surface.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 127 words

A fastener applying device, comprising: a handle mechanism; an elongated body portion extending from the handle mechanism having a proximal end and a distal end; a series of fasteners supported within the elongated body portion in tip-to-tail fashion, each fastener having a pair of legs joined by a flexible connecting member; a firing bar operatively connected to the handle mechanism and being movable to engage a distal-most fastener of the series of fasteners and eject the distal-most fastener from the distal end of the elongated body portion; at least one barb extending distally from the distal end of the elongated body portion; and the elongated body portion including a support casing having a cylindrical proximal cross-section tapering to a distal cross-section having planar top and bottom surfaces.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 127 words

A fastener applying device, comprising: a handle mechanism; an elongated body portion extending from the handle mechanism having a proximal end and a distal end; a series of fasteners supported within the elongated body portion in tip-to-tail fashion, each fastener having a pair of legs joined by a flexible connecting member; a firing bar operatively connected to the handle mechanism and being movable to engage a distal-most fastener of the series of fasteners and eject the distal-most fastener from the distal end of the elongated body portion; at least one barb extending distally from the distal end of the elongated body portion; and the elongated body portion including a support casing having a cylindrical proximal cross-section tapering to a distal cross-section having planar top and bottom surfaces.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 117 words

An anvilless fastener applying device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated body portion extending from the handle assembly, the elongated body portion having a distal face positioned to engage body tissue; a series of fasteners supported in tip-to-tail fashion along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion each fastener having a pair of legs connected by a flexible connecting member; a firing bar operatively connected to the handle assembly and being movable to engage a distal-most fastener of the series of fasteners and eject the distal-most fastener from the distal end of the elongated body portion adjacent the distal face; and wherein the distal face of the elongated body portion positioned to engage tissue is tapered.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 117 words

An anvilless fastener applying device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated body portion extending from the handle assembly, the elongated body portion having a distal face positioned to engage body tissue; a series of fasteners supported in tip-to-tail fashion along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion each fastener having a pair of legs connected by a flexible connecting member; a firing bar operatively connected to the handle assembly and being movable to engage a distal-most fastener of the series of fasteners and eject the distal-most fastener from the distal end of the elongated body portion adjacent the distal face; and wherein the distal face of the elongated body portion positioned to engage tissue is tapered.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 31 words

A device according to claim 10 wherein the elongated body portion comprises a support casing having a cylindrical proximal cross-section tapering to a distal cross-section having planar top and bottom surfaces.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

A device according to claim 10 further comprising at least one barb extending distally from the distal end of the device.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 28 words

A device according to claim 12 wherein the at least one barb includes two barbs, wherein the barbs are positioned on opposite sides of the elongated body portion.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 58 words

A device according to claim 11 wherein the elongated body portion further includes an inner housing positioned within the support casing, the inner housing having a distal end extending through a distal end of the support casing, and wherein the tapered distal face of the elongated body portion is formed on the distal end of the inner housing.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 108 words

A fastener applying device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated body portion extending from the handle assembly; a series of fasteners supported in tip-to-tail fashion along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion, each fastener including a first and a second anchor member interconnected by a flexible member; a firing bar operatively connected to the handle assembly and being movable to engage the first and second anchor members of a distal-most fastener of the series of fasteners and eject the distal-most fastener from the elongated body portion; and at least one barb fixedly positioned on a distal end of the elongated body portion and extending distally therefrom.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 108 words

A fastener applying device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated body portion extending from the handle assembly; a series of fasteners supported in tip-to-tail fashion along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion, each fastener including a first and a second anchor member interconnected by a flexible member; a firing bar operatively connected to the handle assembly and being movable to engage the first and second anchor members of a distal-most fastener of the series of fasteners and eject the distal-most fastener from the elongated body portion; and at least one barb fixedly positioned on a distal end of the elongated body portion and extending distally therefrom.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

A device according to claim 15 wherein the at least one barb includes two barbs, the barbs being spaced on opposite sides of the elongated body portion.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 128 words

A method for repairing meniscal tears in a human joint comprising: providing a fastener applying device having a handle mechanism, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle mechanism and including a tapered distal face, a series of fasteners supported within the body portion, and at least one barb fixedly positioned on the distal end of the elongated body portion and extending distally therefrom; inserting the elongated body portion into a human joint adjacent to a tear in meniscal tissue; positioning the device relative to side walls of the tear using the at least one barb and positioning the tapered distal face against the meniscus tissue; and actuating the fastener applying device to eject a fastener from the elongated body portion into the tissue adjacent the tear.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 128 words

A method for repairing meniscal tears in a human joint comprising: providing a fastener applying device having a handle mechanism, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle mechanism and including a tapered distal face, a series of fasteners supported within the body portion, and at least one barb fixedly positioned on the distal end of the elongated body portion and extending distally therefrom; inserting the elongated body portion into a human joint adjacent to a tear in meniscal tissue; positioning the device relative to side walls of the tear using the at least one barb and positioning the tapered distal face against the meniscus tissue; and actuating the fastener applying device to eject a fastener from the elongated body portion into the tissue adjacent the tear.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 58 words

A method according to claim 17, wherein each fastener of the series of fasteners includes a pair of legs joined together by a flexible member and further including the step of positioning the fastener device to eject the fastener such that each leg passes through the walls of the tear and remains embedded in tissue behind the tear.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 175 words

A method for repairing meniscal tears in a human joint comprising: providing an anvilless fastener applying device having a handle mechanism, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle mechanism, a series of fasteners supported within the body portion in tip-to-tail fashion, each fastener having a pair of legs joined by a flexible connecting member, at least one barb extending from the distal end of the elongated body portion, fastener locator indicia on the distal end of the elongated body portion identifying the point of ejection of the fasteners from the device, and a firing bar operatively connected to the handle mechanism to eject a distal-most fastener of the series of fasteners upon actuation of the handle mechanism; inserting the elongated body portion into a human joint adjacent to tissue requiring repair; positioning the device relative to the tissue within the joint to a desired position using the at least one barb and the fastener locator indicia; and actuating the handle mechanism to eject a fastener from the elongated body portion into the tissue.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 175 words

A method for repairing meniscal tears in a human joint comprising: providing an anvilless fastener applying device having a handle mechanism, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle mechanism, a series of fasteners supported within the body portion in tip-to-tail fashion, each fastener having a pair of legs joined by a flexible connecting member, at least one barb extending from the distal end of the elongated body portion, fastener locator indicia on the distal end of the elongated body portion identifying the point of ejection of the fasteners from the device, and a firing bar operatively connected to the handle mechanism to eject a distal-most fastener of the series of fasteners upon actuation of the handle mechanism; inserting the elongated body portion into a human joint adjacent to tissue requiring repair; positioning the device relative to the tissue within the joint to a desired position using the at least one barb and the fastener locator indicia; and actuating the handle mechanism to eject a fastener from the elongated body portion into the tissue.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 97 words

An anvilless fastener applying device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly; a series of fasteners supported in tip-to-tail fashion along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion, each fastener having a first and a second anchor member connected together by a suture member; and a firing bar operatively connected to the handle assembly and being movable to engage a distalmost fastener of the series of fasteners and eject the distalmost fastener from the distal end of the elongated body portion to simultaneously advance the first and second anchor.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 97 words

An anvilless fastener applying device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly; a series of fasteners supported in tip-to-tail fashion along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion, each fastener having a first and a second anchor member connected together by a suture member; and a firing bar operatively connected to the handle assembly and being movable to engage a distalmost fastener of the series of fasteners and eject the distalmost fastener from the distal end of the elongated body portion to simultaneously advance the first and second anchor.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 29 words

An anvilless fastener applying device according to claim 20 wherein each of the anchor members includes a proximal end, the suture joining the proximal ends of the anchor members.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 47 words

An anvilless fastener applying device according to claim 21 wherein the proximal end of each of the anchor members includes a notch, the notch being positioned to receive the distal end of one of the anchor members of a proximally positioned fastener in the series of fasteners.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-12-06	2003-06-07	2003-12-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-12-06	2007-06-07	2007-12-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-12-06	2011-06-07	2011-12-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Meniscal fastener applying device

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