Sphincter assist device and method of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10603199-B2
Application number	US-201715595624-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 15, 2017
Priority date	May 15, 2017
Publication date	Mar 31, 2020
Grant date	Mar 31, 2020

Abstract

A sphincter assist device includes a plurality of interconnected and adjacent links which define a ring. Each link includes a body section and a latch cam. The body section includes a first set of side beams and a first set of snap arms. The latch cam includes a post extending from the body section and a cam disposed at an end portion of the post. The cam is engagable with the first set of snap arms of an adjacent link. Translation of the cam displaces the first set of snap arms and the first set of side beams to transition the sphincter assist device between open and closed configurations. The first set of snap arms, in combination with the first set of side beams, exert a positive non-linear force profile on the cam, thus defining a non-linear force profile of the sphincter assist device between the open and closed configurations.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sphincter assist device, comprising:
a plurality of interconnected and adjacent links defining a ring, each link includes:
a body section including a first set of side beams and a first set of snap arms; and
a latch cam including a post extending from the body section and a cam disposed at an end portion of the post, the cam engagable with the first set of snap arms of an adjacent link of the plurality of links, translation of the cam displaces the first set of snap arms and the first set of side beams to transition the sphincter assist device between an open configuration and a closed configuration,

wherein the first set of snap arms, in combination with the first set of side beams, exert a positive non-linear force on the cam thus defining a non-linear force profile during the transition of the sphincter assist device between the open and closed configurations.

2. The sphincter assist device of claim 1 , wherein the first set of side beams and the first set of snap arms bias the ring radially inward.

3. The sphincter assist device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the links of the plurality of links further includes a male snap fit protrusion, and at least one of the links of the plurality of links further includes a female snap fit recess, the protrusion engageable with the recess.

4. The sphincter assist device of claim 1 , further comprising a protective sheath enclosing the plurality of links.

5. The sphincter assist device of claim 1 , further including a first hinge coupling each respective first side beam of the first set of side beams and a respective first snap arm of the first set of snap arms.

6. The sphincter assist device of claim 5 , wherein the first hinge is a living hinge.

7. The sphincter assist device of claim 1 , wherein the body section of the link further includes a second set of side beams and a second set of snap arms, the cam configured to engage the second set of snap arms of an adjacent link, translation of the cam displaces the second set of snap arms and the second set of side beams, the second set of snap arms, in combination with the second set of side beams, exert a negative non-linear force profile on the cam.

8. The sphincter assist device of claim 7 , wherein the second set of side beams and the second set of snap arms bias the ring radially outward.

9. The sphincter assist device of claim 7 , wherein the body section of the link further including a second hinge coupling each respective second side beam of the second set of side beams and a respective second snap arm of the second set of snap arms.

10. The sphincter assist device of claim 9 , wherein the second hinge is a living hinge.

11. A link for use in a sphincter assist device, the link comprising:
a body section including a first set of side beams and a first set of snap arms; and
a latch cam including a post extending from the body section and a cam disposed at an end portion of the post, the cam configured to engage the first set of snap arms of a second link, translation of the cam displaces the first set of snap arms and the first set of side beams to transition the link between an open configuration and a closed configuration,
wherein the first set of snap arms, in combination with the first set of side beams, exert a positive non-linear force profile on the cam thus defining a non-linear force profile during the transition of the link between the open and closed configurations.

12. The link of claim 11 , further comprising a protective sheath configured to enclose the link.

13. The link of claim 11 , further comprising a male snap fit protrusion or a female snap fit recess disposed on the body section.

14. The link of claim 11 , wherein the body section further includes a first hinge coupling each respective first side beam of the first set of side beams and a respective first snap arm of the first set of snap arms.

15. The link of claim 14 , wherein the first hinge is a living hinge.

16. The link of claim 11 , wherein the body section further includes a second set of side beams and a second set of snap arms, the cam configured to engage the second set of snap arms of a second link, translation of the cam displaces the second set of snap arms and the second set of side beams, displacement thereof exerting a negative non-linear force profile on the cam.

17. The link of claim 16 , wherein the body section further includes a second hinge coupling each respective second side beam of the second set of side beams and a respective second snap arm of the second set of snap arms.

18. The link of claim 17 , wherein the second hinge is a living hinge.

Assignees

• Covidien Lp

Inventors

• Kappus John J
• Sartor Joe D
• Hammerland Iii John A
• Heard David N

Classifications

• A61F2/0036 Primary

  implantable (A61F2/0018 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61F2240/002

  Designing or making customized prostheses · CPC title

• A61F2/0022

  placed deep in the body opening (occluding blood vessels by internal devices A61B17/12022) · CPC title

• A61F2250/006

  modular · CPC title

• A61B17/12009

  Implements for ligaturing other than by clamps or clips, e.g. using a loop with a slip knot · CPC title