Devices, systems, and methods for engaging a tissue

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for providing chronic or temporary tissue support and/or restoration that does not require that the targeted tissue be severed and/or punctured. A device having two components and at least one connector for maintaining a prescribed distance between the two components is described. Such devices, systems and methods may be used on any tissue of a body and may be delivered through laparoscopic and/or endoscopic procedures.

1 . An implantable device, comprising:
 a first engaging component and a second engaging component each defining a longitudinal axis, each configured for laparoscopic insertion into a body cavity and each comprising an elongated body, wherein the elongated body of the first engaging component is configured to conform to a first targeted tissue surface, and the elongated body of the second engaging component is configured to conform to a second targeted tissue surface; and   a first connector and a second connector, each connected to the first engaging component and the second engaging component and configured to move from a first position that is substantially coplanar with the first engaging component and the second engaging component to a second position that is substantially perpendicular with the first engaging component and the second engaging component so to open the device, said movement in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by an interior space between the first engaging component and the second engaging component.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first engaging component and the second engaging component are configured to engage a targeted tissue therebetween when the first connector and the second connector are in a configuration relatively perpendicular to the first engaging component and the second engaging component. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cover flap, the cover flap coupled to either the first engaging component or the second engaging component, the cover flap capable of either further coupling to the second engaging component when initially coupled to the first engaging component or further coupling to the first engaging component when initially coupled to the second engaging component.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is coupled to the first engaging component at a first pivot point and coupled to the second engaging component at a second pivot point, and wherein the second connector coupled to the first engaging component at a third pivot point and coupled to the second engaging component at a fourth pivot point. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first engaging component and the second engaging component comprise a configuration chosen from a straight bar configuration, a curved configuration, or a circular configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first engaging component and the second engaging component are flexible or semi-flexible. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first engaging component, the second engaging component, the first connector, and the second connector each comprise a material suitable to resist corrosion selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, nitinol, silastic, titanium, and stainless steel. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first engaging component, the second engaging component, the first connector, and the second connector comprise a resorbable material selected from the group consisting of polyglycolide (PGA), polylactide (PLA), l-lactide (LPLA), poly(dl-lactide) (DLPLA), poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(dioxanone) (PDO), polylglycolide-trimethylene carbonate (PGA-TMC), or poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (DLPLG). 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein when the device is positioned about a stomach, the device does not provide any compressive pressure upon the stomach. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured to rotate in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by the interior space between the first engaging component and the second engaging component. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first engaging component and the second engaging component further comprises one or more suturing elements chosen from the group of one or more pads, one or more apertures, and/or one or more suture members, each of the one or more suturing elements capable of receiving a suture therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first engaging component and the second engaging component comprise a resorbable material, and wherein when the device is positioned about a stomach, the first engaging component and the second engaging component resorb within a body over time so that the first engaging component and the second engaging component are no longer coupled to one another by way of the first connector and the second connector. 
     
     
         13 . An implantable device, comprising:
 a first engaging component and a second engaging component each defining a longitudinal axis, each configured for laparoscopic insertion into a body cavity and each comprising an elongated body, wherein the elongated body of the first engaging component is configured to conform to a first targeted tissue surface, and the elongated body of the second engaging component is configured to conform to a second targeted tissue surface;   a first connector and a second connector, each connected to the first engaging component and the second engaging component and configured to move from a first position that is substantially coplanar with the first engaging component and the second engaging component to a second position that is substantially perpendicular with the first engaging component and the second engaging component so to open the device, said movement in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by an interior space between the first engaging component and the second engaging component; and   a cover flap, the cover flap coupled to either the first engaging component or the second engaging component;   wherein the first engaging component and the second engaging component are configured to engage a targeted tissue therebetween when the first connector and the second connector are in a configuration relatively perpendicular to the first engaging component and the second engaging component.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first engaging component and the second engaging component further comprises one or more suturing elements selected from the group consisting of one or more pads, one or more apertures, and one or more suture members, each of the one or more suturing elements capable of receiving a suture therethrough. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the first engaging component and the second engaging component are flexible or semi-flexible. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein when the device is positioned about a stomach, the device does not provide any meaningful compressive pressure upon the stomach. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising the steps of:
 inserting an implantable device into a body cavity of a mammalian body, the device comprising:   a first engaging component and a second engaging component each defining a longitudinal axis, each configured for laparoscopic insertion into a body cavity and each comprising an elongated body, wherein the elongated body of the first engaging component is configured to conform to a first targeted tissue surface, and the elongated body of the second engaging component is configured to conform to a second targeted tissue surface;
 a first connector and a second connector, each connected to the first engaging component and the second engaging component and configured to move from a first position that is substantially coplanar with the first engaging component and the second engaging component to a second position that is substantially perpendicular with the first engaging component and the second engaging component so to open the device, said movement in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by an interior space between the first engaging component and the second engaging component; 
   advancing the device to a location within the mammalian body adjacent to a targeted tissue;   swiveling the first connector and the second connector so to open the device; and   positioning the first engaging component and the second engaging component over the targeted tissue such that at least a portion of the targeted tissue is positioned therebetween.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 securing one or more sutures to connect the first engaging component and/or the second engaging component to the targeted tissue.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the device further comprises a cover flap coupled to either the first engaging component or the second engaging component, and wherein the method further comprises the step of:
 securing the cover flap so that the cover flap is secured to the first engaging component and the second engaging component.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the targeted tissue is a stomach, and wherein expansion of the stomach, with said device positioned thereon, functionally divides the stomach into a first stomach portion and a second stomach portion.