Surgical fastener with predetermined resorption rate

{
  "publication_number": "US2011282401A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Surgical fastener with predetermined resorption rate",
  "abstract": "A resorbable screw fastener and a method of firing with an applicator capable of applying a surgical fastener to tissue in order to form tissue connection to secure objects to tissue, the fastener including a body portion having a helical thread, a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion. The resorbable screw fastener is 100% resorbed in vivo during a period of time ranging from about 14 days to about one year after implantation.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A screw fastener, comprising: a body portion defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, the body portion having a helical thread formed thereon; and a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion, the head portion including a substantially flattened surface formed in an outermost diameter thereof, wherein the substantially flattened surface of the head portion is in radial registration with a substantially flattened surface formed in an outermost diameter of the helical thread, wherein the substantially flattened surface formed in the outermost diameter of the helical thread projects partially radially inward from the outermost diameter of the helical thread and does not project into the body portion. 2. The screw fastener of claim 1, wherein the head portion further includes a driver receiving structure defining a slot formed in an outer radial side surface of the head portion, the driver receiving structure being configured for receiving both a linear and a rotational force. 3. The screw fastener of claim 1, wherein said body portion includes a center shaft that is tapered from a narrow distal end to a larger proximal end. 4. The screw fastener of claim 1, wherein said distal end of the body portion is blunt. 5. The screw fastener of claim 1, wherein a land of the thread is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 6. The screw fastener of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the thread is substantially enlarged. 7. The screw fastener of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the head portion is about 3.8 mm. 8. The screw fastener of claim 1, wherein a height of the head portion is about 1.5 mm. 9. The screw fastener of claim 1, wherein a length of the body portion is about 5 mm. 10. The screw fastener of claim 1, further including a lumen extending through an entire length of the body portion. 11. The screw fastener of claim 1, wherein the body portion has a circular transverse cross sectional profile. 12. A method of inserting a screw fastener of claim 2, the method comprising the steps of tapping the target tissue with a pilot, and installing the screw fastener by applying linear and rotational force on the head portion. 13. A resorbable screw fastener and instrument for inserting the resorbable screw fastener, comprising: an instrument having an outer tube on a distal end and a trigger mechanism on its proximal end; and a resorbable screw fastener having a body portion and a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion, the body portion having a helical thread formed thereon, the head portion including a substantially flattened surface defined in an outermost diameter thereof, wherein the substantially flattened surface of the head portion is in radial registration with a substantially flattened surface formed in an outermost diameter of the helical thread without projecting into the body portion. 14. The resorbable screw fastener and instrument of claim 13, wherein the fastener is inserted on the distal end of the instrument. 15. The resorbable screw fastener and instrument of claim 13, wherein the head of the resorbable screw fastener includes a driver receiving configuration defining a slot formed in an outer radial side surface thereof for transmitting both linear and rotational motion to the body portion. 16. A resorbable screw fastener, comprising: a body portion defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, the body portion having a helical thread formed thereon, the helical thread having a first diameter and the body portion having a second diameter; and a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion, the head portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to the first diameter of the helical thread, the head portion including a substantially flattened surface defined in an outermost diameter thereof, wherein the substantially flattened surface of the head portion is in radial registration with a substantially flattened surface formed in an outermost diameter of the helical thread, wherein the substantially flattened surfaces of the head portion and the helical thread are disposed between the second diameter of the body portion and the first diameter of the helical thread without projecting into the body portion. 17. The resorbable screw fastener of claim 16, wherein the head portion includes a driver receiving structure defining a slot formed in an outer radial side surface for transmitting rotational motion to the body portion. 18. A resorbable screw fastener, comprising: a body portion defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, the body portion having a helical thread formed thereon, the helical thread having a first diameter and the body portion having a second diameter; and a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion, the head portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to the first diameter of the helical thread, the head portion including a substantially flattened surface defined in an outermost diameter thereof, wherein the substantially flattened surface of the head portion is in radial registration with a substantially flattened surface formed in an outermost diameter of the helical thread, wherein the substantially flattened surfaces of the head portion and the helical thread are disposed between the second diameter of the body portion and the first diameter of the helical thread without projecting into the body portion. 19. The resorbable screw fastener of claim 18, wherein the resorbable screw fastener has a shear strength of about 3.5 pounds to about 5.5 pounds during a period of time ranging from the time of implantation in vivo to about one week after implantation, a shear strength ranging from about 0.5 pounds to about 4.2 pounds during a period of time ranging from about one week to about 1.5 weeks after implantation, and a shear strength of about 0 pounds about one year after implantation."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Technical Field\n\nThe present disclosure relates generally to surgical fasteners, surgical fastener appliers and methods for connecting body tissue and, more particularly, to bioresorbable screw fasteners, screw fastener appliers, and methods of using the screw fastener applier to fire multiple resorbable screw fasteners to a target surgical site.\n\n2. Description of Related Art\n\nSurgical fasteners are used to eliminate the need for suturing, which is often time consuming and inconvenient. Surgical fasteners accomplish in seconds what would have taken many minutes to accomplish by suturing, thus reducing operating time and trauma to the patient. In hernia repair procedures, for example, the weakened area of the abdominal wall may be reinforced with a synthetic mesh or by suturing the abdominal tissue. In such an instance, a surgical fastener may be used, in lieu of, or in addition to, a surgical suture to fix the position of the mesh.\n\nFor example, in some cases titanium staples are utilized to retain the mesh in place. These staples thus become permanent residents in the body cavity. Other fasteners may be utilized which are made of bioresorbable materials, many of which, however, remain in vivo for extended periods of time. A disadvantage of permanent metal staples and/or those that remain in the body for an extended period of time is the possibility of the formation of excessive scar tissue (adhesions), which in turn can cause further patient complications and hinder future surgical procedures.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61B 17/064",
    "A61B 17/0401",
    "A61B 17/068",
    "A61B 17/08",
    "A61B 17/861",
    "A61B 17/862",
    "A61B 17/8625",
    "A61B 17/8635",
    "A61B 17/864",
    "A61B 17/866",
    "A61B 17/869",
    "A61B 17/8883",
    "A61B 17/8891",
    "A61B 2017/00004",
    "A61B 2017/0409",
    "A61B 2017/0441",
    "A61B 2017/0648",
    "A61F 2/0063",
    "A61F 2220/0016",
    "A61L 31/06",
    "A61L 31/148",
    "B25B 13/481",
    "B25B 17/00",
    "B25B 23/065",
    "B25B 23/101",
    "C08L 67/04",
    "Y10S 606/916"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61B 17/00",
    "A61B 17/56",
    "A61B 17/86",
    "A61B 17/88",
    "A61L /",
    "A61L 31/06",
    "A61L 31/14"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Tyco Healthcare Group LP"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Ralph Robert Corradi",
    "David N. Fowler",
    "Christopher J. Criscuolo",
    "Earl Zergiebel",
    "Michael Bettuchi",
    "Frank J. Viola"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2011-07-26",
  "publication_date": "2011-11-17",
  "priority_date": "2003-06-13",
  "application_number": "US-201113190669-A",
  "family_id": "33539085",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
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    "US20030125745A1",
    "US7883529B2",
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  ]
}