US 11,771,421 B2
Systems, devices, and related methods for fastening tissue
Paul Smith, Smithfield, RI (US); Gary Jordan, Litchfield, NH (US); Nathan Cummings, Worcester, MA (US); Ryan Wales, Northborough, MA (US); and Douglas Melanson, Natick, MA (US)
Assigned to Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc., Maple Grove, MN (US)
Filed by Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc., Maple Grove, MN (US)
Filed on Jul. 9, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/924,609.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/872,481, filed on Jul. 10, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0007736 A1, Jan. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/0686 (2013.01) [A61B 17/00234 (2013.01); A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00296 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An endoscopic tissue fastening device, comprising:
a shaft that terminates in a distal end face of the shaft;
a tissue fastening assembly, having a fastening head with a first arm and a second arm rotatably coupled to the first arm, wherein each of the first arm and the second arm includes a respective proximal end and a respective distal end, and wherein the first arm includes a staple cartridge; and
a stabilizing means movably coupled to the staple cartridge of the tissue fastening assembly;
wherein, in a first, flexible configuration of the tissue fastening assembly, the stabilizing means permits bending of the staple cartridge at a joint of the staple cartridge between the proximal end and the distal end of the first arm, and wherein, in a second, stabilized configuration of the tissue fastening assembly, the stabilizing means spans the joint of the staple cartridge so as to prevent bending of the staple cartridge at the joint.