Mechanical tissue coupling system, applicator therefor and method of use thereof

Abstract

A mechanical tissue coupling system that includes a first side tissue grasping assembly, a second side tissue grasping assembly and a joining assembly. The joining assembly is structurally configured to join the first side tissue grasping assembly to the second side tissue grasping assembly. An applicator is likewise disclosed as is a method of using the system and the applicator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mechanical tissue coupling system comprising:
 a first side tissue grasping assembly;   a second side tissue grasping assembly; and   a joining assembly structurally configured to join the first side tissue grasping assembly to the second side tissue grasping assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 1  wherein the first side tissue grasping assembly further comprises:
 an elongated body having an inner end and an outer end; 
 a jaw coupling disposed on the elongated body; and 
 a plurality of gripping structures extending outwardly from the elongated body. 
 
     
     
         3 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 2  wherein the jaw coupling comprises an elongated slot extending between the inner end and the outer end of the elongated body. 
     
     
         4 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 3  wherein each of the plurality of gripping structures include an upstand structure that terminates in a tip. 
     
     
         5 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 4  wherein at least a portion of the gripping structure comprises an overhang portion that extends beyond the footprint of the elongated body. 
     
     
         6 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 5  wherein the tip is part of the overhang portion. 
     
     
         7 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of gripping structures are equally spaced relative to each other while being offset and not centered relative to the elongated body. 
     
     
         8 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 1  wherein the first side tissue grasping assembly and the second side tissue grasping assembly are substantially identical, and are one of dissolvable and non-disolvable within a body of a patient. 
     
     
         9 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 1  wherein the joining assembly further comprises at least one first mating structure disposed on the first side tissue grasping assembly and at least one second mating structure disposed on the second side tissue grasping assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 9  wherein the first mating structure comprises a bore extending into the elongated body, with the second mating structure comprising a tab extendable into the bore and engageable with the bore a locked engagement. 
     
     
         11 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 10  wherein the first mating structure and the second mating structure define at least two locking positions, varying the space between the first side tissue grasping assembly and the second side tissue grasping assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 11  wherein the first mating structure includes a retaining ledge and the second mating structure comprises an outer flange and an inner flange spaced apart from the outer flange, the outer flange engageable with the retaining ledge to define a first locked position and the inner flange engageable with the retaining ledge to define a second locked position. 
     
     
         13 . The mechanical tissue coupling system of  claim 9  wherein the first side tissue grasping assembly includes at least one first mating structure and at least one second mating structure, and wherein the second side tissue grasping assembly includes at least one first mating structure and at least one second mating structure, the at least one first mating structure of the first side tissue grasping assembly engageable with the at least one second mating structure of the second side tissue grasping assembly and the at least one second mating structure of the first side tissue grasping assembly engageable with the at least one first mating structure of the second side grasping assembly. 
     
     
         14 . An applicator structurally configured to apply a mechanical tissue coupling system, the applicator comprising:
 forceps defining a first opposing jaw and a second opposing jaw, the first opposing jaw attached to a first opposing shank and the second opposing jaw attached to a second opposing shank and pivotably coupled by a lock;   a first grasping element retainer disposed on the first opposing jaw, the first grasping element retainer structurally configured to allow slidable engagement of a tissue grasping assembly therealong; and   a second grasping element retainer disposed on the second opposing jaw, the second grasping element retainer structurally configured to allow slidable engagement of a tissue grasping assembly therealong.   
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 14  further comprising: a disengaging assembly having an actuator pivotably coupled to the first opposing shank, with a plunger slidably movable along the first opposing jaw, and a connecting rod extending between the actuator and the plunger, such that, pivoting of the actuator slidably moves the plunger along the first opposing jaw toward or away from a distal end of the first opposing jaw. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 15  wherein the first grasping element retainer further includes a mating structure extending along the first opposing jaw and the second grasping element retainer further includes a mating structure extending along the second opposing jaw. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 16  wherein the first grasping element retainer further includes an outer support extending along the first opposing jaw and positioned outboard of the mating structure extending along the first opposing jaw; and the second grasping element retainer further includes an outer support extending along the second opposing jaw and positioned outboard of the mating structure extending along the second opposing jaw. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 16  wherein the plunger slidably moves along the mating structure extending along the first opposing jaw. 
     
     
         19 . A combination mechanical tissue coupling system and applicator, wherein the mechanical tissue coupling system comprises:
 a first side tissue grasping assembly;   a second side tissue grasping assembly; and   a joining assembly structurally configured to join the first side tissue grasping assembly to the second side tissue grasping assembly, and,   the applicator comprises:   forceps defining a first opposing jaw and a second opposing jaw, the first opposing jaw attached to a first opposing shank and the second opposing jaw attached to a second opposing shank and pivotably coupled by a lock;   a first grasping element retainer disposed on the first opposing jaw, the first grasping element retainer structurally configured to allow slidable engagement of the first side tissue grasping assembly therealong; and   a second grasping element retainer disposed on the second opposing jaw, the second grasping element retainer structurally configured to allow slidable engagement of the second side tissue grasping assembly therealong.   
     
     
         20 . A method of coupling tissue with a mechanical tissue coupling system comprising the steps of:
 slidably attaching a first side tissue grasping assembly to a first grasping element retainer on a first opposing jaw of forceps;   slidably attaching a second side tissue grasping assembly to a second grasping element retainer on a second opposing jaw of forceps;   separating the first opposing jaw from the second opposing jaw;   placing tissue to be coupled between the first side tissue grasping assembly and the second side tissue grasping assembly;   engaging the tissue with gripping structures of each of the first side tissue grasping assembly and the second side tissue grasping assembly;   directing the first opposing jaw toward the second opposing jaw;   joining the first side tissue grasping assembly to the second side tissue grasping assembly in locked engagement; and   releasing the first side tissue grasping assembly and the second side tissue grasping assembly from the first opposing jaw and the second opposing jaw.