Filing Information

Inventor(s)	Albert K. Chin · Frank T. Watkins ·
Assignee(s)	CHIN ALBERT K · WATKINS FRANK T · ORIGIN MEDSYSTEMS INC ·  View assignee updates
Attorney/Agent(s)	Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe ·
Primary Examiner	Stephen C. Pellegrino ·
Assistant Examiner	Jeffrey A. Schmidt ·
Application Number	US8025912
Filing date	03/03/1993
Issue date	01/25/1994
Predicted expiration date	11/22/2011
U.S. Classifications	606/148  · 606/139  ·
International Classifications	A61B 1700  ·
Kind Code	A
International Classifications	606103;139;144;148;110-113;228;233 ·
Related U.S. Application Data	This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/796,722 filed Nov. 22, 1991, now abandoned.

Patent Family

Abstract

An improved endoscopic ligature provided with a loop support means for stabilizing the shape, position and orientation of a suture loop. The stabilized loop is impervious to surface tension forces created by body fluids and will not close on itself or stick to moist surfaces. When the loop is cinched closed it dislodges from the support. The loop support is made of a flexible material with shape memory and has an unstressed width greater than that of the trocar cannula. The loop support is collapsible to allow the instrument to be inserted and withdrawn through the cannula.

Independent Claims | See all claims (21)

1. 1. An instrument for ligation through an endoscopic trocar cannula comprising:an elongated suture support having an intracorporeal end, and extracorporeal end and a first longitudinal axis;a suture having an intracorporeal end and an extracorporeal end, said suture extending along and supported by said elongated suture support, said suture having a cinchable loop at the intracorporeal end thereof;a first adjustable elongated loop support mounted at the intracorporeal end of said elongated suture support, said first loop support having a second central longitudinal axis, said first loop support having a first elongated retaining groove with a third central longitudinal axis, a substantial portion of said loop being removably engageable in said first retaining groove, whereby said first loop support controls and stabilizes said loop when engaged therewith; andcontrol means located at the extracorporeal end of said elongated suture support for selectively moving said first loop support between a first state and a second state, said second longitudinal axis being more closely aligned with said first longitudinal axis in said first state than in said second state, said third longitudinal axis paralleling said second longitudinal axis in said second state, and said second longitudinal axis being noncolinear with said first longitudinal axis in said second state.
2. 12. An instrument for ligation through an endoscopic trocar cannula comprising:an elongated suture support having an intracorporeal end, an extracorporeal end and a first longitudinal axis;a suture having an intracorporeal end and an extracorporeal end, said suture extending along and supported by said elongated suture support, said suture having a cinchable loop at said intracorporeal end thereof, a first point on said loop being removably engageable near said intracorporeal end of said suture support;a first adjustable elongated loop support prong having a second longitudinal axis, a first distal end, and a first proximal end, and being mounted near said first proximal end to said intracorporeal end of said suture support, said loop being removably engageable to said first support prong at a second point near said first distal end thereof and a third point between said first distal and proximal ends thereof, whereby said first support prong controls and stabilizes said loop when engaged therewith; andcontrol means located at said extracorporeal end of said suture support for selectively moving said first support prong between a first state and a second state, said second longitudinal axis being more closely aligned with said first longitudinal axis in said first state than in said second state, and said second longitudinal axis being noncolinear with said first longitudinal axis in said second state.
3. 19. An instrument for ligation through an endoscopic trocar cannula comprising:(a) an elongated suture support having an intracorporeal end and extracorporeal end;(b) a suture having an intracorporeal end and an extracorporeal end, said suture extending along and supported by said elongated suture support, said suture having a cinchable loop at the intracorporeal end thereof with a longitudinal bore therethrough;(c) an implantable support wire extending through said longitudinal bore for controlling and stabilizing said loop; and(d) a control means located at the extracorporeal end of said elongated suture support for selectively moving said loop between a collapsed state and an open state.