X-Shaped Device and Method for Deployment and Placement of a Patch

Abstract

This invention generally relates to a device and method for repairing biological tissue aperture. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for closing an aperture in a biological tissue that includes a handle, a shaft connected to the handle, and a deployment scaffold connected to the shaft, in which the scaffold is configured to releasably retain a surgical implant and the scaffold includes an open configuration and a closed configuration, the open configuration being substantially X-shaped.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical instrument comprising:
 a handle;   a shaft connected to the handle, the shaft including a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis; and   a deployment scaffold connected to the distal end of the shaft and configured for insertion into a cavity, the deployment scaffold configured to releasably retain a surgical patch as the deployment scaffold transitions between open and closed configurations, the deployment scaffold including,
 first and second frame arms; and 
 first and second deployment arms connected to each of the first and second frame arms and each including first and second ends, wherein the first ends of the first deployment arms are slidably secured to the first and second frame arms and the first ends of the second deployment arms are pivotally secured to the respective first and second frame arms. 
   
     
     
         2 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the deployment scaffold is substantially X-shaped when in the open configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the deployment scaffold is transitionable between the open and closed configurations in a plane extending along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the deployment scaffold is configured to tilt about the distal end of the shaft with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the second ends of the deployment arms are secured to the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second deployment arms are substantially parallel to each other when the deployment scaffold is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the first deployment arms are oriented at an angle between about 10° to about 180° with respect to the second deployment arms. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is reversibly transformable between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical instrument of  claim 4 , wherein the deployment scaffold includes an articulating member configured to adjust an orientation of the tilt of the deployment scaffold. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical instrument of  claim 9 , wherein the articulating member is configured to provide for vertical flexibility of the deployment scaffold. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second frame arms translate laterally between the open and closed configurations with respect to the longitudinal axis defined by the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , further including a surgical patch. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the surgical patch is a planar sheet of material.