US 12,064,099 B2
Delivery and assessment aids for implants
Brendan S. Buchanan, Flagstaff, AZ (US); Benjamin I. Espen, Flagstaff, AZ (US); Reed A. Houge, Flagstaff, AZ (US); Allan B. Dietz, Chatfield, MN (US); William A. Faubion, Jr., Rochester, MN (US); and Eric J. Dozois, Rochester, MN (US)
Assigned to W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US); and Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, MN (US)
Filed by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US); and Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, MN (US)
Filed on Sep. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/482,101.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/082,233, filed on Sep. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0086502 A1, Mar. 23, 2023
Prior Publication US 2023/0404558 A9, Dec. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/0057 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/00004 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00477 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00641 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00646 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A treatment system for treating an anal fistula comprising:
an implant configured for treating an anal fistula having a leading portion and a trailing portion, the trailing portion having an enlarged outer profile relative to the leading portion;
an insert that is resiliently deflectable, the insert extending between a tip portion and a control portion, with a body portion located between the tip portion and the control portion, the tip portion and the body portion combining to define an insert length of the insert, the tip portion of the insert being configured to be coupled to the leading portion of the implant;
a guide tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the insert being receivable in the proximal end, the guide tube further having an internal lumen, the guide tube being configured to permit passage of the tip portion and the body portion of the insert through the guide tube, the guide tube having a guide tube length that is less than the insert length; and
a tensioning element configured to be coupled to the tip portion of the insert and the leading portion of the implant and extending therebetween, such that the implant is retractable into the distal end of the guide tube using the insert with the leading portion of the implant received within the guide tube and the enlarged outer profile of the implant abutted to the distal end of the guide tube.