JP-2022510697-A5 -

Dates

Publication Date

20221212

Application Date

20191204

Description

This specification describes and illustrates an endoscopic tissue access system for deploying one or more suture anchors, embodiments of suture anchors, and embodiments of a method for deploying one or more anchors, fixing tissue, and reconstructing tissue. Although specific embodiments of the present invention are described, the present invention is not intended to be limited to specific embodiments, as the scope of the present invention is as broad as that of the art and the specification is intended to be read as similarly. It is particularly intended that the aspects of various embodiments can be combined with one another. For example, multiple barbs on a coil of one of several anchors can be provided for any of several anchors. Furthermore, the term “suture” is intended to encompass any suitable tether that can connect to and tighten multiple anchors together, and is not intended to be limiting, as it may include materials that are not typically considered “suture” materials. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that further modifications to the provided invention can be made without departing from the technical scope of the claims. Furthermore, this invention also includes the following inventions. A first aspect of the present invention is: In an endoscopic deployment system for placing suture anchors in mammalian tissues, The aforementioned endoscope deployment system, An elongated, flexible delivery member having a proximal region, an intermediate region, and a distal region, and a proximal end and a distal end, An elongated shaft member having a proximal end and a distal end, A handle connected to the proximal end of the shaft member, the handle rotating the distal end of the shaft member by the rotation of the proximal end of the shaft member, A coupling assembly having an engaging post, which is fixedly connected to the distal region of the delivery member, A suture anchor having a proximal end and a distal end, A tubular receiver having a central longitudinal axis, The coil member located at the distal end, The tubular receiver is equipped with a rotatable suture eyelet, The delivery member has a first operable configuration and a second operable configuration, In the first operable configuration, the suture anchor is releasably connected to the coupling assembly, thereby connecting the engaging post to the tubular receiver, and the rotation of the distal end of the shaft member causes the coil member of the suture anchor to engage with the tissue when the suture anchor is in contact with the tissue. In the second operable configuration, the suture anchor is detached from the suture anchor, and the delivery member is operable between the first operable configuration and the second operable configuration, in which case the endoscope deployment system is configured. A second aspect of the present invention is: The endoscope deployment system in a first embodiment is operable to rotate the proximal end of the shaft member so as to cause rotation of the distal end of the shaft member. A third aspect of the present invention is: The aforementioned handle, i) A stationary member forming a longitudinal slot, ii) A movable member that can be displaced longitudinally across the stationary member, and having a drive unit located within the slot, iii) A worm gear rotatably mounted within the slot, the worm gear having a proximal end and a distal end, the drive unit of the movable member having a bore having an opening that closely accommodates the worm gear, and the worm gear is rotated to rotate the shaft member when the movable member is displaced across the stationary member, in a first embodiment of an endoscope deployment system. A fourth aspect of the present invention is: The endoscope deployment system in the first embodiment further comprises a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, the sheath extending over the shaft member such that the distal end of the sheath is positioned proximal to the suture anchor, and the handle is operable to move the sheath distally across the shaft member to disengage the suture anchor from the engagement post. A fifth aspect of the present invention is: The endoscope deployment system further comprises a suture anchor release surface located proximal to the suture anchor, and the handle is operable to move distally so as to bring the suture anchor release surface into contact with the proximal surface of the suture anchor, thereby disengaging the suture anchor from the engagement post, in a first embodiment of the endoscope deployment system. A sixth aspect of the present invention is: The handle is operated to move the suture anchor release surface by operating a spring release or by spirally advancing the coupler to which the suture anchor release surface is connected, in a fifth embodiment of the endoscope deployment system. A seventh aspect of the present invention is: The first embodiment of the endoscope deployment system is s