US 12,121,228 B2
Expandable tissue engagement apparatus and method
Theodore C. Lamson, Pleasanton, CA (US); Theodore Bender, San Anselmo, CA (US); Jolene Cutts, San Francisco, CA (US); Robert M. George, San Jose, CA (US); Jennifer Kiyoi, Pleasanton, CA (US); Daniel Merrick, Dublin, CA (US); Ailee Pham, Milpitas, CA (US); Maheshwara Rao, Oakland, CA (US); Christopher Zaler, Los Gatos, CA (US); Curtis Yarra, Oakland, CA (US); and Kevin Alexander Lessard, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to Teleflex Life Sciences LLC, Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by Teleflex Life Sciences LLC, Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Mar. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/188,942.
Application 18/188,942 is a continuation of application No. 16/577,013, filed on Sep. 20, 2019, granted, now 11,672,520.
Application 16/577,013 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/067229, filed on Dec. 21, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/610,184, filed on Dec. 23, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0225720 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/02 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/04 (2006.01); A61B 17/22 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61M 29/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/0218 (2013.01) [A61B 17/3478 (2013.01); A61M 29/00 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00274 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00858 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00951 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0409 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22072 (2013.01); A61B 2090/0811 (2016.02); A61M 2210/166 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, comprising:
inserting an introducer sheath longitudinally through a urethra of a subject until at least a distal portion of the introducer sheath is positioned within a prostatic urethra;
visualizing the prostatic urethra using a cystoscope; and
advancing an elongate delivery device through the introducer sheath until at least a distal portion of the elongate delivery device extends beyond a distal opening of the introducer sheath and into a bladder, wherein the distal portion of the elongate delivery device delivers an expandable implant comprising connected curved portions that form a closed looped structure configured to engage and manipulate a prostate gland when expanded outside the introducer sheath, wherein the curved portions are biased away from a midline defined by a longitudinal axis of the elongate delivery device such that the curved portions are compressed toward the midline when positioned within the introducer sheath and expand away from the midline when positioned outside the introducer sheath.