Systems and methods for applying tissue-piercing fasteners
Systems and methods introduce a tissue fastener applier to apply tissue-piercing fasteners to a prosthesis sequentially along a path established by the directing device that, between fastener applications, is manipulated into orientation with different desired fastening sites, until a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are placed, one-at-a-time, in the prosthesis.
1 . A method comprising
providing a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners,
providing a tissue fastener applier,
providing a directing device, and
introducing the tissue fastener applier to apply single tissue-piercing fasteners to a prosthesis in a body organ sequentially along a path established by the directing device that, between fastener applications, is manipulated into orientation with different desired fastening sites, until a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are placed, one-at-a-time, in the prosthesis.
2 . A method according to claim 1
wherein at least one of the tissue-piercing fasteners comprises a helical tissue-piercing fastener.
3 . A method according to claim 1
wherein at least one of the tissue-piercing fasteners comprises a fastener that pierces tissue in response to rotation, and
wherein the tissue fastener applier includes a rotary driver.
4 . A method according to claim 1
wherein the plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are introduced in a circumferentially spaced-apart pattern at the different desired fastening sites in the prosthesis.
5 . A method according to claim 1
wherein the directing device includes a deflectable distal region.
6 . A method according to claim 1
wherein the directing device includes a passage accommodating the fastener applier.
7 . A method according to claim 6
wherein the passage comprises an interior lumen.
8 . A method according to claim 1
further including, between fastener applications, reloading a single tissue-piercing fastener in the tissue fastener applier.
9 . A method according to claim 1
further including, between fastener applications, reloading a single tissue-piercing fastener in the tissue fastener applier at a remote access location.
10 . A method according to claim 1
wherein the tissue fastener applier carries the plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners.
11 . A method comprising
providing a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners,
providing a tissue fastener applier,
providing a directing device, and
introducing the tissue fastener applier to apply single tissue-piercing fasteners in a body organ sequentially along a path established by the directing device that, between fastener applications, is manipulated into orientation with different desired fastening sites, until a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are placed, one-at-a-time, in the body organ.
12 . A method according to claim 11
wherein at least one of the tissue-piercing fasteners comprises a helical tissue-piercing fastener.
13 . A method according to claim 11
wherein at least one of the tissue-piercing fasteners comprises a fastener that pierces tissue in response to rotation, and
wherein the tissue fastener applier includes a rotary driver.
14 . A method according to claim 11
wherein the plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are introduced in a circumferentially spaced-apart pattern at the different desired fastening sites in the prosthesis.
15 . A method according to claim 11
wherein the directing device includes a deflectable distal region.
16 . A method according to claim 11
wherein the directing device includes a passage accommodating the fastener applier.
17 . A method according to claim 16
wherein the passage comprises an interior lumen.
18 . A method according to claim 11
further including, between fastener applications, reloading a single tissue-piercing fastener in the tissue fastener applier.
19 . A method according to claim 11
further including, between fastener applications, reloading a single tissue-piercing fastener in the tissue fastener applier at a remote access location.
20 . A method according to claim 11
wherein the tissue fastener applier carries the plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners.
21 . A system comprising:
an intraluminal directing device sized and configured for introduction from a remote access site to a location within a body organ, the intraluminal directing device including a deflectable distal region sized and configured for manipulation to orient the distal region with respect to a range of different desired fastening sites within a body organ, and
an intraluminal fastener applier sized and configured to be introduced and withdrawn along the intraluminal directing device, the intraluminal fastener applier including a driven component sized and configured (i) to receive a single tissue-piercing fastener at the remote access site outside the intraluminal directing device, (ii) to be operated, after introduction of the intraluminal fastener applier along the intraluminal directing device to one of the desired fastening sites, to introduce the single tissue-piercing fastener into tissue at the desired one of the fastening sites, and (iii) to receive at the remote access site, after withdrawal of the intraluminal fastener applier along the intraluminal directing device, another single tissue piercing fastener, the intraluminal fastener applier accommodating (ii) and (iii) repeatedly, in concert with manipulation of the deflectable distal region of the intraluminal directing device with respect to a range of different desired fastening sites, until a desired plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are introduced into tissue at different desired fastening sites within the body organ.
22 . A system according to claim 21
wherein the tissue-piercing fastener comprises a helical tissue-piercing fastener.
23 . A system comprising
an intraluminal directing device sized and configured for introduction from a remote access site to a location within a body organ, the intraluminal directing device including a deflectable distal region sized and configured for manipulation to orient the distal region with respect different desired fastening sites within the body organ, and
an intraluminal fastener applier sized and configured to be introduced along the intraluminal directing device, the intraluminal fastener applier including a driven component sized and configured to be operated, after introduction of the intraluminal fastener applier along the intraluminal directing device, to introduce a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners into tissue one-at-a-time to desired fastening sites in concert with manipulation of the deflectable distal region of the intraluminal directing device to different desired fastening sites, until a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are introduced into tissue at different desired fastening sites within the body organ.
24 . A system according to claim 23
wherein at least one of the plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners comprises a helical tissue-piercing fastener.