| 摘要 |
A closure element applying medical device for repairing a fistula is described. The closure element applying medical device can be configured for repairing any type of fistula that provides an abnormal channel from one body part to another body part (e.g., organ to organ, organ to vessel, and/or vessel to vessel). Examples of fistulas that can be repaired with the present invention include anorectal fistulas, enteroenteral fistulas, enterocutaneous fistulas, vesicovaginal fistulas, arteriovenous fistulas, perilymph fistulas, rectovaginal fistulas, ureterocolon fistulas, and the like. The medical device can include a closure element, a shaft, a carrier assembly, and controller systems. The medical device can also include a locator assembly. Additionally, the closure element applying medical device can include endoscope components so as to function also as an endoscope. |
| 主权项 |
1. A tissue closure system for engaging with tissue within or adjacent to a fistula to close and repair the fistula, the tissue closure system comprising:
a tissue closure element comprising:
an elongate body portion, the elongate body portion including an inflection portion;a first tissue-grabbing member joined to the elongate body portion;a second tissue-grabbing member joined to the elongate body portion and disposed opposite the first tissue-grabbing member; andwherein the first and second tissue-grabbing members move about the inflection portion as the tissue closure element moves from an expanded configuration toward a closed configuration, wherein at least a portion of the first tissue-grabbing member overlaps a portion of the elongate body portion when the tissue closure element moves from the expanded configuration toward the closed configuration, wherein the tissue closure element is substantially “S”-shaped in the expanded configuration and moves toward an “8”-shape as it moves toward the closed configuration, such that the first and second tissue-grabbing members move toward the elongate body as the tissue closure element moves from the expanded configuration toward the closed configuration; a carrier assembly having a garage for retaining the tissue closure element, said carrier assembly having a flexible portion being selectively controlled to bend to direct the tissue closure element toward tissue within or near the fistula, the flexible portion selectively controllable to bend to an angle of at least about 45 degrees; a carrier assembly controller system operatively coupled to the flexible portion of the carrier assembly for controlling the delivery of the carrier assembly to the fistula; and a closure element deployment controller system operatively coupled to the carrier assembly for deploying the tissue closure element to the tissue to repair the fistula, the tissue closure element disposed within the garage and oriented such that both the first and second tissue grabbing members are both oriented toward the tissue. |
