FIXATION DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENGAGING TISSUE
The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.
1 . A fixation device for engaging tissue comprising:
a pair of fixation elements each having a first end, a free end opposite the first end, an engagement surface therebetween for engaging the tissue and wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements are bioabsorbable.
2 . The fixation device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise a polymer.
3 . The fixation device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise a metal.
4 . The fixation device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise a metal alloy.
5 . The fixation device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise stainless steel.
6 . The fixation device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise a cobalt-chromium alloy.
7 . The fixation device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise nickel-titanium.
8 . The fixation device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise titanium.
9 . The fixation device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise tantalum.
10 . The fixation device of claim 1 , further comprising a covering disposed on at least a portion of the fixation device.
11 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the covering comprises a surface that enhances grasping of the tissue.
12 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the covering comprises a surface that promotes tissue ingrowth.
13 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the covering comprises a porous surface.
14 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the covering comprises a contoured surface.
15 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the covering comprises a smooth surface adapted to prevent cellular adhesion.
16 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the covering further comprises a bioabsorbable material.
17 . The fixation device of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of proximal elements having frictional accessories.
18 . The fixation device of claim 17 , further comprising a covering disposed on at least a portion of the proximal elements.
19 . The fixation device of claim 18 , wherein the frictional accessories protrude through the covering.
20 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the covering further comprises a coating disposed on at least a portion of the fixation device.
21 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the coating comprises a polymer.
22 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the coating is sprayed onto at least a portion of the fixation device.
23 . The fixation device of claim 20 , wherein the coating is dipped onto at least a portion of the fixation device.
24 . The fixation device of claim 20 , wherein the coating comprises a polymer.
25 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the covering comprises a fabric.
26 . The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein the covering comprises a therapeutic agent.
27 . The fixation device of claim 26 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an anti-thrombosis agent.
28 . The fixation device of claim 26 , wherein the therapeutic agent is adapted to be released from the covering.
29 . The fixation device of claim 1 , further comprising an actuation mechanism coupled to the fixation elements adapted to move the fixation elements between a closed position and an inverted position.
30 . The fixation device of claim 29 , wherein the fixation elements are further moveable to an open position between the closed position and the inverted position.
31 . A fixation device for engaging tissue comprising:
a pair of fixation elements each having a first end, a free end opposite the first end, an engagement surface therebetween for engaging the tissue;
a pair of proximal elements each having a first side and a second side and at least one frictional accessory disposed on at least one of said sides for engaging tissue; and
wherein at least a portion of the fixation device is bioabsorbable.
32 . The fixation device of claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise a polymer.
33 . The fixation device of claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise a metal.
34 . The fixation device of claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise a metal-alloy.
35 . The fixation device of claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise stainless steel.
36 . The fixation device of claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise a cobalt-chromium alloy.
37 . The fixation device of claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise nickel-titanium.
38 . The fixation device of claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise titanium.
39 . The fixation device of claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of the fixation elements further comprise tantalum.
40 . The fixation device of claim 31 , further comprising a covering disposed on at least a portion of the fixation device.
41 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the covering comprises a surface that enhances grasping of the tissue.
42 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the covering comprises a surface that promotes tissue ingrowth.
43 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the covering comprises a porous surface.
44 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the covering comprises a contoured surface.
45 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the covering comprises a smooth surface adapted to prevent cellular adhesion.
46 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the covering further comprises a bioabsorbable material.
47 . The fixation device of claim 40 , further comprising a covering disposed on at least a portion of the proximal elements.
48 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the at least one frictional accessory protrudes through the covering.
49 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the covering further comprises a coating disposed on at least a portion of the fixation device.
50 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the coating comprises a polymer.
51 . The fixation device of claim 50 , wherein the coating is sprayed onto at least a portion of the fixation device.
52 . The fixation device of claim 50 , wherein the coating is dipped onto at least a portion of the fixation device.
53 . The fixation device of claim 49 , wherein the coating comprises a polymer.
54 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the covering comprises a fabric.
55 . The fixation device of claim 40 , wherein the covering comprises a therapeutic agent.
56 . The fixation device of claim 55 , wherein the therapeutic agent is adapted to be released from the covering.
57 . The fixation device of claim 55 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an anti-thrombosis agent.
58 . The fixation device of claim 31 , further comprising an actuation mechanism coupled to the fixation elements adapted to move the fixation elements between a closed position and an inverted position.
59 . The fixation device of claim 58 , wherein the fixation elements are further moveable to an open position between the closed position and the inverted position.