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Method for bonding or fusion of biological tissue and material
| Details |
Inventors: Sawyer, Philip N.; Wallace, Donald G.; Yamamoto, Ronald K.;
Assignee: Fusion Medical Technologies, Inc. (Mountain View, CA)
Primary Examiner: Bawa; Raj
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP
Biological materials are joined, repaired or fused by heating the material in proximity to a mechanical support. Preferably, the mechanical support comprises a patch or bridge structure. In the most preferred embodiment, the patch is formed from collagen having a thickness from between 2 to 30 mils, and most preferably from 2 to 15 mils thick. Preferably, the patch or support structure contains holes or interlock vias which permit the coagulum to form a mechanical bond therewith, whether preformed or generated by an electrical energy source during welding. The preferred method comprises the steps of: first, placing the patch in contact with the materials to be joined, supplying energy to the tissue in an amount sufficient to form a coagulum at the surface of the patch, and finally, permitting the coagulum to form a mechanical bond with the support or patch. The preferred energy source is an inert gas beam RF energy source, with the preferred gas being argon, and the preferred energy range from about 3 to 80 watts. Support structures are utilized in connection with the welding of collapsible structures. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION Biological materials are joined, repaired or fused by heating the material in proximity to a mechanical support.
In the preferred embodiment, the mechanical support comprises a patch or bridge structure.
In the most preferred embodiment, the patch is formed from collagen having a thickness from between 2 to 30 mils.
The patch may include either biologically degradable materials or biologically non-degradable materials, or both in combination.
A resultant mechanically stable bond is formed with the patch and the underlying tissue, providing large bonding area resulting in a high strength repair.
The overall method according to this invention comprises the steps of: first, placing the patch in contact with the tissues to be joined, supplying energy to the tissue in an amount sufficient to form a coagulum at the surface of the patch, permitting the coagulum with cooling to form a mechanical bond with the support or patch.
Preferably, the patch or support structure contains holes or interlock vias which permit the coagulum to form a mechanical bond therewith.
If the patch does not have holes prior to tissue application, an energy source, preferably an RF inert gas energy source, such as an argon beam coagulator may be utilized to concurrently create small holes while providing heat for the welding operation.
Alternatively, the patch may be formed with holes prior to application, this being particularly useful for patches having a low electrical conductivity or relatively substantial thickness.
Surprisingly, the use of such holes, either produced prior to welding or during the welding operation, provides not only mechanical fixation, but also provides a fluid and gas seal due to the sealing of the pores during welding.
In the preferred embodiment, a collagen patch is used with an RF inert gas energy source.
Preferably, the patch is of a thickness from 2 to 30 mils, with an energy source from about 3 to 80 watts, with the inert gas being preferably argon or helium.
Alternatively, energy from a standard electrosurgery device may be used
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