Device and method for tacking a prosthetic screen

Abstract

A prosthetic screen tacking device includes a barbed filament with a perpendicular foot at one end and a swaged needle at the other. The barbs are situated near the foot and angulated in such a manner that they permit movement of the device through tissue in one direction (toward the needle), but prevent movement in the opposite direction (toward the foot). Methods of using the device and an improved barb are also disclosed.

1 . A surgical tacking device suitable for the fixation of a prosthetic screen, said device comprising: 
 a filament having a first end and a second end;    a plurality of barbs arranged on said filament between said first and second ends, said barbs being configured to allow said filament to pass through body tissue when said first end is pulled but to prevent said filament from passing through body tissue when said second end is pulled;    a swaged needle on said first end of said filament; and    a foot on said second end of said filament, said foot arranged to prevent said second end of said filament from passing through a prosthetic screen.    
   
   
       2 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said barbs are arranged in side by side pairs.  
   
   
       3 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said barbs are arranged in an alternating configuration.  
   
   
       4 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said barbs are arranged in a random configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said barbs are substantially conical.  
   
   
       6 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said barbs are tapered and have a relative wide lower end and relatively narrow upper end.  
   
   
       7 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 6 , wherein said barbs are wedge-shaped and having a generally triangular cross-sectional profile.  
   
   
       8 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said foot is substantially planar.    
   
   
       9 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 8 , wherein said foot is substantially circular.  
   
   
       10 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 8 , wherein said foot is substantially elliptical.  
   
   
       11 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a button arranged to slide over said barbs when moved over said filament from said first end toward said second end but unable to slide over said barbs when moved from said second end toward said first end.  
   
   
       12 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a button configured to slide over said barbs when rotated to a first position but unable to slide over said barbs when rotated to a second position.  
   
   
       13 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is made of a non-biodegradable material.  
   
   
       14 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is made of a biodegradable material.  
   
   
       15 . A method for affixing a prosthetic screen to the wall of the abdomen, said method comprising: 
 passing a plurality of surgical tacking devices through the screen, the tacking devices including a filament having a first end and a second end with a swaged needle at said first end, a foot at said second end, and a plurality of barbs between said first and second ends;    delivering the screen with attached tacking devices to the peritoneal cavity;    passing the surgical tacking devices through the abdominal wall from inside to outside; and    pulling the filament of each tacking device through the abdominal wall so that the barbs of the device lodge in the abdominal wall and affix the prosthesis to the abdominal wall.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 cutting said tacking devices at a point between said first and second ends so that the needle is removed and no part of the tacking device is exposed on the skin of the patient.    
   
   
       17 . A surgical tacking device suitable for the fixation of a prosthetic screen, said device comprising: 
 a filament having a first end and a second end;    a plurality of barbs arranged on said filament between said first and second ends, said barbs being configured to allow said filament to pass through body tissue when said first end is pulled but to prevent said filament from passing through body tissue when said second end is pulled;    a swaged needle on said first end of said filament;    a foot on said second end of said filament, said foot arranged to prevent said second e nd of said filament from passing through a prosthetic screen; and    a loop between said barbs and said first end.    
   
   
       18 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 17 , wherein said barbs are arranged in side by side pairs.  
   
   
       19 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 17 , wherein said barbs are arranged in an alternating configuration.  
   
   
       20 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 17 , wherein said barbs are arranged in a random configuration.  
   
   
       21 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 17 , wherein said barbs are substantially conical.  
   
   
       22 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 17 , wherein said barbs are tapered and have a relatively wide lower end and relatively narrow upper end.  
   
   
       23 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 22 , wherein said barbs are wedge-shaped and having a generally triangular cross-sectional profile.  
   
   
       24 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said foot is substantially planar.    
   
   
       25 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 23 , wherein said foot is substantially circular.  
   
   
       26 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 23 , wherein said foot is substantially elliptical.  
   
   
       27 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 17 , further comprising a button arranged to slide over said barbs when moved over said filament from said first end toward said second end but unable to slide over said barbs when moved from said second end toward said first end.  
   
   
       28 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 17 , further comprising a button configured to slide over said barbs when rotated to a first position but unable to slide over said barbs when rotated to a second position.  
   
   
       29 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 17 , wherein said device is made of a non-biodegradable material.  
   
   
       30 . The surgical tacking device according to  claim 17 , wherein said device is made of a biodegradable material.  
   
   
       31 . A method for affixing a prosthetic screen to the wall of the abdomen, said method comprising: 
 passing a plurality of surgical tacking devices through the screen, the tacking devices including a filament having a first end and a second end with a swaged needle at said first end, a foot at said second end, a plurality of barbs between said first and second ends, and a loop between said barbs and said first end;    delivering the screen with attached tacking devices to the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen;    passing the needle and loop of the surgical tacking devices through the abdominal wall from inside to outside;    separating the needles from the filaments; and    pulling the loop of each tacking device to bring the filament through the abdominal wall so that the foot of the device draws the prosthesis against the abdominal wall and barbs of the device lodge in the abdominal wall and affix the prosthesis to the abdominal wall.    
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 cutting said tacking devices at a point between said first and second ends so that the loop is removed and no part of the tacking device is exposed on the skin of the patient.