US 11,911,035 B2
Force modulating tissue bridges, associated tools, kits, and methods
Felmont F. Eaves, Atlanta, GA (US); David O. Kazmer, Georgetown, MA (US); Gary W. Knight, Lebanon, OH (US); Timothy G. Dietz, Reading, MA (US); and William Eugene Clem, Bozeman, MT (US)
Assigned to Brijjit Medical, Inc., Marietta, GA (US)
Filed by Brijjit Medical, Inc., Marietta, GA (US)
Filed on Jun. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/354,199.
Application 17/354,199 is a continuation of application No. 16/242,064, filed on Jan. 8, 2019, granted, now 11,051,815.
Application 16/242,064 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2017/057569, filed on Oct. 20, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/411,023, filed on Oct. 21, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0307751 A1, Oct. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/08 (2006.01); A61B 17/10 (2006.01); A61B 50/20 (2016.01); A61B 50/22 (2016.01); A61B 50/30 (2016.01); A61B 50/33 (2016.01); A61B 90/53 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 50/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/085 (2013.01) [A61B 17/083 (2013.01); A61B 17/10 (2013.01); A61B 17/105 (2013.01); A61B 50/20 (2016.02); A61B 50/22 (2016.02); A61B 50/30 (2016.02); A61B 50/33 (2016.02); A61B 90/53 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00862 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00884 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00893 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00907 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00951 (2013.01); A61B 2017/081 (2013.01); A61B 2050/0065 (2016.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tool configured for being used to manipulate a medical article, the tool comprising:
first and second parts that are spaced apart from one another and each configured to releasably engage a medical article;
a bearing surface positioned between, and distant from each of, the first and second parts, wherein the bearing surface is configured to engage the medical article while the first and second parts are engaged to the medical article;
a reconfigurable linkage connecting the bearing surface and the first and second parts to one another; and
levers extending from proximate the linkage,
wherein the tool is configured so that at least portions of the first and second parts are moved away from one another in response to at least portions of the levers being moved toward one another,
the first part comprises a first catch part configured to releasably attach to the medical article,
the second part comprises a second catch part configured to releasably attach to the medical article,
each of the first and second catch parts comprises a shank and a protrusion extending outwardly from the shank, and
the protrusions face away from one another.