IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,166,978
Granted Patent B2
US 8,166,978 · App. 11/867,582 · Granted May 1, 2012

Methods and systems for manipulating tissue

Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,166,978
App. No.
11/867,582
Granted
May 1, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Endoluminal treatment devices and methods are provided. Generally, the devices and methods can allow an endoluminal device to be introduced into a lumen of a patient and engage a wall of lumen with an implant device, which can be a drug delivery device or medical device. In one embodiment, an endoluminal treatment method is provided that includes forming an incision in body tissue, attaching first and second pledgets to the body tissue near the incision, attaching a manipulation line to body tissue near the incision by attaching a first free end of the manipulation line to the first pledget, introducing a surgical tool through the incision in the body tissue, attaching a second free end of the manipulation line to the surgical tool such that the manipulation line extends between the first pledget and the surgical tool, and manipulating the surgical tool to perform a medical treatment procedure.

Claims (23)

1. A method of manipulating a surgical tool, comprising:

forming an incision in body tissue;

attaching first and second pledgets to the body tissue near the incision, a suture connecting the first and second pledgets such that a length of the suture extends between the first and second pledgets and is disposed within the body tissue;

attaching a manipulation line to body tissue near the incision by attaching a first free end of the manipulation line to the first pledget;

introducing the surgical tool through the incision in the body tissue;

attaching a second free end of the manipulation line to the surgical tool such that the manipulation line extends between the first pledget and the surgical tool;

manipulating the surgical tool to perform a medical treatment procedure;

attaching third and fourth pledgets to the body tissue near the incision, a second suture connecting the third and fourth pledgets such that a length of the second suture extends between the third and fourth pledgets and is disposed within the body tissue;

attaching a second manipulation line to body tissue near the incision by attaching a first free end of the second manipulation line to the third pledget; and

attaching a second free end of the second manipulation line to the surgical tool such that the second manipulation line extends between the third pledget and the surgical tool.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the manipulation line provides a cantilever for the surgical tool.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the manipulation line at least partially supports the surgical tool.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional manipulation line.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the manipulation line and the at least one additional manipulation line are evenly distributed around the surgical tool.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying tension, pressure, or torque to the manipulation line.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the manipulation line is configured to withstand application of the tension, pressure, or torque.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the suture and the manipulation line are separate strands.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

attaching fifth and sixth pledgets to the body tissue near the incision, a third suture connecting the fifth and sixth pledgets such that a length of the third suture extends between the fifth and sixth pledgets and is disposed within the body tissue;

attaching a third manipulation line to body tissue near the incision by attaching a first free end of the third manipulation line to the fifth pledget; and

attaching a second free end of the third manipulation line to the surgical tool such that the third manipulation line extends between the fifth pledget and the surgical tool.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein attaching the first, second, and third manipulation lines to the surgical tool comprises looping each of the first, second, and third manipulation lines around a circumference of the tool.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein attaching a first free end of the manipulation line to the first pledget comprises directly attaching the manipulation line to the first pledget such that the manipulation line is not in direct contact with the second pledget.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2010
From: NDO SURGICAL, INC.
To: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 024411/0991 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 12, 2007
From: LAUFER, MICHAEL; BROMANDER, THOMAS; CRUZ, AMOS
To: NDO SURGICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 020236/0078 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60849414 · Oct 4, 2006
Related Publication 20080243144A1 · Oct 2, 2008