Granted Patent B2

US 12,636,173 · App. 17/986,570 · Granted May 26, 2026

Inventors: Kevin M. Falco (Chelmsford, MA); Jeffrey L. Barnes (Medford, MA); Aaron M. Burke (Andover, MN); Carolyn M. Krasniak (Melrose, MA); Nathaniel Van Tran (Lakeville, MN); Nathaniel Zenz-Olson (Ham Lake, MN); Justin A. Callaway (Goffstown, NH); Cori G. Pierce (Salem, NH); Jessica M. Grabinsky (Melrose, MA); Rachel Sophia Keen (Andover, MA)

Assignees: Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG; Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited

A61F2/9517A61B17/1285

Abstract

Claims (35)

1 . A fixation member delivery system, the fixation member delivery system comprising:

an outer shaft, the outer shaft including a lumen, a proximal end region, a distal end region, a longitudinal axis, and an opening positioned at a distal end thereof;

a handle coupled to the proximal end region of the outer shaft, the handle including an actuation mechanism;

a plurality of fixation members arranged sequentially along the longitudinal axis and lying within a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis; and

an actuation assembly positioned within the lumen of the outer shaft and coupled to the handle, the actuation assembly including:

a first elongate member including a first plurality of engagement members disposed along the first elongate member, wherein each of the first plurality of engagement members includes an angled portion and an engagement portion extending distally from the angled portion, wherein the angled portion extends at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the entire engagement portion lies within the plane, and wherein the engagement portion includes a distal end region configured to engage a proximal end of one of the fixation members; and

a second elongate member including a second plurality of engagement members disposed along the second elongate member;

wherein the first elongate member is actuatable in a proximal-to-distal direction relative to the outer shaft via actuation of the actuation mechanism to distally advance the plurality of fixation members in unison;

wherein the second elongate member is held stationary as the first elongate member is actuated;

wherein cyclical actuation of the actuation assembly is configured to incrementally move the fixation members distally to deploy each of the plurality of fixation members in sequence.

2 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate members extend parallel to and are positioned on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis and parallel therewith.

3 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 2 , wherein a portion of each of the first plurality of engagement members extend inward toward the longitudinal axis.

4 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 3 , wherein a portion of each of the second plurality of engagement members extend inward toward the longitudinal axis.

5 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the first elongate member is configured to proximally retract after actuating in a proximal-to-distal direction, and wherein the first plurality of engagement members is configured to flex away from the longitudinal axis as the first elongate member is proximally retracted.

6 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 5 , wherein the second plurality of engagement members is configured to flex away from the longitudinal axis.

7 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 6 , wherein the second elongate member prevents the plurality of fixation members from moving within the lumen of the outer shaft while the first elongate member is retracted proximally.

8 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fixation members are spaced away from one another along the longitudinal axis.

9 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fixation members are staples having a first anchor portion having a pointed distal tip, a second anchor portion having a pointed distal tip, and a bridge extending between proximal ends of the first and second anchor portions.

10 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes a lever and a linkage.

11 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 10 , wherein the linkage is coupled to a deployment member.

12 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 11 , wherein the deployment member is fixedly coupled to the first elongate member.

13 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 1 , further comprising an access sheath extending along a portion of the outer shaft.

14 . The fixation member delivery system of claim 13 , wherein the access sheath includes a longitudinal slot extending along an entire length of the access sheath.

15 . A fixation member delivery system, comprising:

an outer shaft, the outer shaft including a lumen, a proximal end region, a distal end region, a longitudinal axis and an opening positioned at a distal end thereof;

a handle coupled to the proximal end region of the outer shaft, the handle including an actuation mechanism;

a plurality of fixation members arranged sequentially along the longitudinal axis;

an access sheath extending along a portion of the outer shaft; and

an actuation assembly positioned within the lumen of the outer shaft and coupled to the handle, the actuation assembly including:

a first elongate member including a first plurality of engagement members disposed along the first elongate member with a distal end of each engagement member of the first elongate member in engagement with a proximal end of one of the fixation members; and

a second elongate member including a second plurality of engagement members disposed along the second elongate member;

wherein the first elongate member is actuatable in a proximal-to-distal direction relative to the outer shaft via actuation of the actuation mechanism to distally advance the plurality of fixation members in unison;

wherein the second elongate member is held stationary as the first elongate member is actuated;

wherein cyclical actuation of the actuation assembly is configured to incrementally move the fixation members distally to deploy each of the plurality of fixation members in sequence;

wherein a proximal end region of the access sheath includes a finger loop to grasp in order to separate the access sheath from the outer shaft.

Assignments (4)

Continuity (6)

References Cited (72)