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Visceral anastomotic device and method of using sameRelated Patent Categories: Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, Or Aids And Accessories Therefor, Arterial Prosthesis (i.e., Blood Vessel), Absorbable In Natural TissueVisceral anastomotic device and method of using same description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050261761, Visceral anastomotic device and method of using same. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/563,839, filed May 4, 2000, which is a non-provisional of provisional application Ser. No. 60/132,692, filed May 4, 1999, which applications are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The procedure of choice to correct or relieve blocked or diseased luminal viscera of the body, such as the bowel, bile duct, ureter, and blood vessels in the medical field involves ligation and surgical anastomosis. Typically, a blocked or restricted luminal viscus, or a lesion or tumor on the viscus wall, is repaired whereby the abnormal portion is removed forming a break in the lumen. The break is then repaired by rejoining the two healthy luminal portions. Commonly, this was done by the surgeon with hand stitches or surgical staples. This procedure is performed on numerous tubular organs of the body, including the intestines and bowel, the bile duct, ureter, fallopian tubes, and blood vessels. These previous methods proved time consuming and required a great amount of skill and effort on the part of the surgeon. Additionally, this hand method is quite invasive as it cannot be satisfactorily done through laparoscopic techniques. [0004] To simplify the task of reconnecting the severed lumens, known as anastomosis, there have been various attempts to utilize stents comprised of a biocompatible material inside the lumen to serve as a structure upon which to staple the two luminal stumps together. Such stents are typically of a general hollow cylindrical shape, and made from a rigid biocompatible material which will dissolve and absorb safely into the body after the anastomosis is complete. [0005] 2. Prior Art [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,744 issued to Khouri relates to the use of such stent devices in the anastomosis of blood vessels. The stent is comprised of a material which is biocompatible and can be converted by heat into a liquid which is completely and safely miscible in blood. [0007] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,141,516 and 5,549,122, both issued to Detweiler, relate to a two-piece intraluminal stent for vessel anastomosis. The pieces are designed to interfit together such that a piece is placed inside the end of each vessel stump such that the stumps can be then locked together by joining the stent pieces. The vessel's stump ends are then permanently joined with a glue-like biocompatible sealant. The stent pieces are comprised of a dissolvable, biocompatible material, such as a crystallized saccharide, such that stent completely dissolves within several hours after anastomosis. [0008] Additionally, attempts have been made in the art to utilize transient biocompatible stents comprised of polyglycolic acid, or "PGA," in the shape of rigid hollow cylinders. Schmidt, R. A., "Experimental Technique for (Laparoscopic) Bowel Anastomosis: Transient Enduluminally Stented Anastomosis (TESA)," Surgical Laparoscopy & Endoscopy, 7(4):281-284 (1997). The opposing vessel stumps are fit over the PGA stent and permanently joined using sutures or surgical staples. Also known is the BAR, or Biofragmentable Anastomotic Ring, which was used clinically very briefly, due to its awkwardness and difficulty in using. [0009] The above mentioned attempts have been unsuccessful in providing an adequately simplified method for anastomosis. The above methods still require a great deal of effort in their use, and their designs make them quite restrictive when used in tight quarters such as during laparoscopic procedures. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved method and device for mammalian anastomosis. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The invention relates to a method for mammalian anastomosis. More specifically, the invention relates to anastomosis of luminal viscera using an improved biocompatible and bio-absorbable stent. [0011] The stent used in the present invention is comprised of a biocompatible material, such as polyglycolic acid ("PGA"), in the form of a semi-rigid tubular structure. Means are provided integral to the stent's construction whereby it is given flexibility without compromising its strength and therefore its ability to serve as an effective frame for anastomosis. Therefore, the surgeon is provided with a flexible stent which allows the luminal stumps to be more easily reconnected by the use of sutures, surgical staples, biocompatible sealants, or other known techniques. The advantages of such a stent are especially apparent when the anastomosis is performed by laparoscopic techniques. [0012] A stent of the present invention, and the accompanying method of its use, can be employed in the anastomosis of various hollow organs including the intestines, bowel, bile duct, ureter, and fallopian tubes. The outside diameter and thickness of the stent can be varied such that it can provide sufficient structural strength and hold the stumps of the luminal viscus snugly in place without increasing the difficulty in manipulating the stent. [0013] These and further aspects of the invention, as well as the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will best be understood when read in conjunction with reference to the figures. While the preferred embodiments of the invention are hereafter disclosed, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific arrangements and instrumentalities described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the biocompatible stent according to the present invention; [0015] FIG. 2 is an axial cross-sectioned view of one embodiment of the biocompatible stent according to the present invention; and [0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention showing a completed visceral anastomosis employing a biocompatible stent of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several figures, there is depicted a biocompatible and dissolvable stent 1 of the present invention for use in the anastomosis of a mammalian luminal viscus 7. A particularly applicable use of the present invention is for anastomosis of the bowel. [0018] A stent in accordance with the present invention is comprised of a biocompatible material which safely dissolves in the body after a short period of time. The material must have sufficient strength and lasting power to allow the surgeon enough time to complete the anastomosis, but preferably of a material that will also completely and safely dissolve into the body after a short period of time thereafter. Furthermore, the material must also be soft enough to allow easy penetration by sutures or surgical staples. A particularly suitable biocompatible material for use in the invention is comprised of PGA. [0019] As made apparent by FIGS. 1 and 2, the stent preferably has a generally tubular or hollow cylindrical shape defined by the stent wall 6. This shape is advantageous because it provides a relatively large support surface upon which to rejoin the luminal stumps of the hollow viscus. This prevents the viscus from collapsing upon itself during reconnection. The anastomosis is more easily performed, and the repair remains intact while reducing risks of complications due to edema of the tissue. The stent's hollow structure allows it to lend support to the interior of the luminal viscus during surgery and for a short period afterward during healing. This interior support provided by the stent keeps the lumen from becoming blocked or restricted, thus allowing the organ to more quickly resume its normal functions. This in turn speeds the recovery of the patient. Continue reading about Visceral anastomotic device and method of using same... Full patent description for Visceral anastomotic device and method of using same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Visceral anastomotic device and method of using same patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Visceral anastomotic device and method of using same or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Medical devices and methods of making the same Next Patent Application: Medical devices to prevent or inhibit restenosis Industry Class: Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Visceral anastomotic device and method of using same patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12182 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , pbckp |
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