Patent ID: 7758589
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of extracting an anastomotic ring device from an expanded position to a collapsed position using an instrument comprising: a handle; a hollow elongate sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the elongate sleeve is slidably attached to the handle; and a plurality of ring-engaging members each having a proximal end integrally attached to the handle and a distal end, wherein a first portion of each ring engaging member is housed within the hollow of the elongate sleeve, wherein the distal ends of the ring-engaging members extend outwardly in a flared configuration from the distal end of the sleeve, wherein further each of the flared distal ends of the ring-engaging members are normally biased outwardly to engage an outer circumference the anastomotic ring device and each of the plurality of ring-engaging members are further configured to be individually movable in the longitudinal direction to individually engage with the anastomotic ring device without moving the other ring engaging members, wherein each of the ring engaging members comprises a wire, wherein each of the wires has a proximal end terminating at the handle, wherein each of the wires extends distally from the handle to a length longer than the sleeve, wherein each of the wires has a hook-shaped distal end, wherein the distal end of each wire curves proximally back toward the handle to form a hook shape before terminating; wherein the sleeve is operable to slidably advance distally over the distal ends of the ring-engaging members after the ring-engaging members engage the anastomotic ring device, thereby drawing the normally outwardly biased distal ends of the ring-engaging members into longitudinal alignment with the sleeve to collapse the anastomotic ring device and to draw the distal ends and the collapsed anastomotic ring device into the hollow of the sleeve, the method comprising: (a) positioning the plurality of ring-engaging members adjacent a deployed anastomotic ring device in a patient; (b) individually engaging portions of the outer circumference of the anastomotic ring device with the plurality of ring-engaging members; (c) advancing the hollow sleeve over the ring-engaging members to collapse at least a portion of the anastomotic ring device from the expanded position to the collapsed position; (d) further advancing the hollow sleeve to bring the ring-engaging members and the anastomotic ring device within the hollow of the sleeve; and (e) removing the ring-engaging members, hollow sleeve, and anastomotic ring device from the patient.