Symbiosis Corporation

Syntheon, LLC

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Id, LLC

Michael Sean McBrayer

Juergen Andrew Kortenbach

Charles R Slater

Saul Gottlieb

Kevin W Smith

Robert Sixto

Jurgen A Kortenbach

Thomas O Bales, Jr

Matthew A Palmer

Derek Dee Deville

Barry N Gellman

Ghaleb A Sater

Mark L Adams

William Joseph Shaw

Vincent A Turturro

Peter K Kratsch

Robert B Devries

Joel F Giurtino

William H Stahley

Alan Weisenborn

F Anthony Headley, Jr

Jeffrey Michael Wendlandt

Otto E Anderhub

Jeff Wendlandt

The invention in certain aspects relates to a surgical fastener for fastening tissue segments having tissue surfaces. The fastener includes a first fastener member having a base and a piercing element connected to the base for piercing the tissue segments to be fastened, a second fastener member having an opening for receiving and retaining the piercing element of the first fastener member such that the tissue segments to be fastened are retained between the first and second fastening members, and means for promoting adhesion between the tissue surfaces. The invention also relates to related methods and devices for promoting adhesion of tissue segments and preventing fastener migration, especially in an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of GERD.

Tissue fastening devices and processes that promote tissue adhesion

A surgical instrument for applying sutures to tissue includes a needle deployment mechanism and a catch mechanism. In some embodiments, the needle deployment mechanism employs a linear path. Alternatively, it can employ a curved needle. The surgical instrument may include a rotatable head, a bend, and/or a malleable elongated body member formable into various shapes.

Endoscopic suture systems

A retrofitting, inductive-battery-charging device for use with a surgical sterilization device, comprising an inductive charging assembly and an inductively powered battery-charging platform that is sterilizable inside a surgical sterilization device and is operable to charge at least one rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument when the rechargeable battery is placed at the platform. The inductive charging assembly comprises an inductive-power-supply sub-assembly electrically connected to a power supply and is operable to supply power inductively over a distance at least equal to a width of a wall of the surgical sterilization device, and an inductive-power-receiver sub-assembly that is sterilizable inside the surgical sterilization device and electrically coupled to the platform. The inductive-power-receiver sub-assembly is operable to supply charging power to the platform for charging the at least one rechargeable battery when placed at the platform, and to inductively receive electrical power from the inductive-power-supply sub-assembly at least over the distance.

Inductive battery charging device for use with a surgical sterilizer

A method for simultaneously surgically sterilizing and charging a battery, which comprises providing an inductively powered battery charger inside a selectively sealable surgical sterilization enclosure of a surgical sterilization device. The surgical sterilization device is operable to surgically sterilize at least one rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument placed therewithin. The charger has an inductive power receiver sub-assembly operable to receive power inductively and to supply charging power to the at least one rechargeable battery. The at least one rechargeable battery is electrically charged while being surgically sterilized by supplying power inductively from a power supply positioned outside the surgical sterilization enclosure to the inductive power receiver sub-assembly through the surgical sterilization enclosure.

Method for battery surgical sterilization while charging

A device for sterilizing and charging a battery of a surgical instrument, comprising a surgical sterilization device that has a sealable sterilization enclosure and is operable to surgically sterilize a rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument when the battery is sealed in the sterilization enclosure. An inductively powered battery-charging platform is also disposed inside the sterilization enclosure and has a charger that conductively charges the battery when the battery is placed at the charger. A power receiver sub-assembly that is electrically coupled to the charger receives electrical power inductively from a power supply that is disposed outside the sterilization enclosure. Thus, the battery is charged without breaching the sealed sterilization enclosure and simultaneously while the battery is being sterilized.

Surgical sterilizer with integrated battery charging device

A medical method includes sliding two substantially straight unconnected arms over a fold of body tissue such that a first arm contacts a first portion of the fold and a second arm contacts a second portion. Then, each arm is bent completely through the fold such that both of the arms compress the portions of the fold into contact with each other. Another method includes releasably coupling first and second substantially linear arms to a bridge, each of the arms having a substantially straight sliding portion and a bendable piercing portion. The arms are slid over opposing sides of two body tissue layers, the first arm sliding over the first layer and the second over the second layer. While the sliding portions of the arms remain substantially straight, each piercing portion is bent completely through the adjacent layer and halfway through the other layer to compress the two layers together.

Methods for the endoluminal treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Methods of the invention include delivering a grasper, a clip applier, and an endoscope transorally to the site of fundoplication; grasping the fundus with the grasper (or similar device, e.g. corkscrew) and pulling it into the jaws of the clip applier; closing the jaws of the clip applier over the fundus and applying a clip to the fundus.

Methods for endoluminal treatment

A flexible clip applier includes a ratchet mechanism adapted to locate a clip pusher to a known location after deployment of a distalmost clip. In addition, the clip applier includes a flexible housing into which a train of clips may be chambered. The flexible housing is constrained from elongation when subject to tensile forces. In accord with another aspect of the invention, the jaw assembly is adapted to have relatively high mechanical leverage which facilitates tissue compression prior to application of a clip.

Surgical jaw assembly with increased mechanical advantage

A surgical tool attaches to the distal end of an endoscope and provides a rotatable treating element. According to one embodiment of the invention, the treating element is a pair of jaws provided with cautery capability. According to an aspect of the invention, the treating element is capable of multiple movements from a first closed position, to an open position, to a second closed position and back to the first closed position via a single controller with a single linear movement.

Methods and apparatus for the treatment of gastric ulcers

A surgical instrument includes an end effector having a clevis and first and second jaws mutually rotatable between open and closed positions. The jaws are proximally directed and laterally displaced relative to a longitudinal axis of a control shaft of the instrument. The jaws hold first and second parts of a fastener, respectively. The first part includes a base having upstanding tissue piercing posts, and the second part includes another base defining apertures for receiving the posts, as well as a portion movable relative to the second base. When the upstanding posts are inserted into the apertures, the movable portion can be moved into a second configuration to lock the parts of the fastener together. The instrument is adapted to move the second part into the second configuration. A method for using the apparatus and fastener are also provided.

Instrument for applying a surgical fastener particularly for the transoral treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

A surgical system includes an endoscope, a pair of end effectors provided on the outside of the distal end of a endoscope (&ldquo;on-scope&rdquo;), in which one end effector is rotatable or otherwise movable relative to the second end effector and in which such movement is effected via controls elements which do not extend through a lumen of the endoscope, and another instrument extending through the lumen of the endoscope (&ldquo;through-scope&rdquo;), and which preferably also has a pair of end effectors. The on-scope device may be clamping jaws, needle passers, clip appliers, cautery devices, staplers, and releasable hemoclips, among other end devices. The through-scope end effectors may be graspers and clip appliers, among other end effectors.

Methods and apparatus for on-endoscope instruments having end effectors and combinations of on-endoscope and through-endoscope instruments

An endoscopic needle assembly has an inner tube formed from a close-wound coil of wire surrounded by a sheath, an outer tube surrounding the inner tube such that the inner tube can move longitudinally relative to the outer tube, a needle joined to a distal end of the inner tube, and a two piece handle having a first handle piece attaching to the inner tube and a second handle piece attaching to the outer tube. A safety shield, formed from a plurality of hinged petals, is built onto the distal end of the outer tube to protect an endoscope from inadvertent penetration by the needle.

Endoscopic needle

Methods and apparatus for delivering a medical instrument over the exterior of an endoscope while the endoscope is installed in the patient's body allow the use of instruments which are too large to fit through the lumena of an endoscope. Furthermore, the invention allows the elimination of working lumena in an endoscope thereby minimizing the likelihood of contamination.

Growing community of inventors

Miami, FL, United States of America

Michael Sean McBrayer