Microanchors for anchoring devices to body tissues

Abstract

Tissue anchoring devices in the form of microanchors that partially penetrate tissue, thereby avoiding full thickness penetration of the tissue, yet are secure enough to enable reliable device fixation and easy removal of the device.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implantable device comprising:
 a body configured to be implanted in a body lumen of a patient; and   a microanchor including,
 a first portion attached to the body, 
 a second portion having at least one tissue engagement member configured to penetrate tissue of a wall of a body lumen by less than or equal to 1 mm and greater than 0 mm, and 
 a reversibly deformable and recoverable segment located between said first portion and the second portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the m icroanchor is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the m icroanchor is formed of nitinol. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the reversibly deformable and recoverable segment defines an “S” shape. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the m icroanchor includes a loop engaged with the body of the implantable device. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of microanchors attached to the body. 
     
     
         7 . An endoluminal anchoring element comprising:
 a proximal portion adapted for attachment to an endoluminal device;   a distal portion adapted for attachment to a wall of a body lumen; and   a reversibly deformable and recoverable segment between said proximal and distal portions providing strain relief between the proximal and distal portions of the anchoring element.   
     
     
         8 . The endoluminal anchoring element of  claim 7 , wherein the proximal portion comprises a loop adapted to engage with the endoluminal device. 
     
     
         9 . The endoluminal anchoring element of  claim 7 , wherein the distal portion is configured to penetrate tissue of a wall of a body lumen by about 1 mm. 
     
     
         10 . A microanchor configured to be implanted in a body of a patient, the microanchor com prising:
 a first portion configured to be attached to an implantable device;   a second portion having a tissue engagement member; and   a reversibly deformable and recoverable segment located between said first portion and second portion, the reversibly deformable and recoverable segment defining a substantially “S” shape for providing strain relief that absorbs external forces between the device and the wall of the body lumen, and   wherein the first portion includes a loop engaged with the device.   
     
     
         11 . A microanchor according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first portion, the second portion, and the reversibly deformable and recoverable segment is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         12 . A microanchor according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first portion, the second portion, and the reversibly deformable and recoverable segment is formed of nitinol. 
     
     
         13 . A microanchor according to  claim 10 , wherein the tissue engagement member is adapted to penetrate tissue by 1 mm or less. 
     
     
         14 . An endoluminal anchoring element comprising:
 a proximal end adapted for attachment to an endolumenal device;   a distal end adapted for attachment to a wall of a body lumen; and   a reversibly deformable and recoverable segment between said proximal and distal ends,   wherein the reversibly deformable and recoverable segment comprises a substantially “S” shape for providing strain relief that absorbs external forces between the endolumenal device and the wall of the body lumen, and   wherein the proximal end comprises a loop engaged with the endolumenal device, and the endolumenal anchoring elements are attached in randomly to the endolumenal device.   
     
     
         15 . An implantable medical device system comprising:
 an implantable device configured to be anchored within a body lumen;   a plurality of microanchors for fixating the implantable device within the body lumen, the microanchors being mounted around a portion of the implantable device, each of the microanchors including,
 a first portion attached to the implantable device; 
 a second portion having a tissue engagement member for insertion into a wall of the body lumen; 
 a reversibly deformable and recoverable segment located between the first portion and the second portion of the microanchor; 
 wherein the reversibly deformable and recoverable segment is substantially “S” shaped and the “S” shaped, reversibly deformable and recoverable segment is configured to stretch or lengthen to absorb a force applied to the first portion. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said microanchors are formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the microanchors are formed of nitinol. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first portion encircles a portion of the implantable deice.