Anchoring devices, systems, and methods for non-adhesive anatomical structures

Abstract

An anchor capable of being delivered and deployed in a delivery configuration through an anatomical tissue using a delivery device. After deployment, the anchor transitions to a deployed configuration in which at least a distal anchor portion extends crosswise relative to an intermediate portion of the anchor. The anchor can be removed from the anatomical tissue by using a retrieval device to grasp a proximal end of the anchor and retract the anchor proximally into the flexible tubular element, returning the anchor to the delivery configuration.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical anchoring devices, systems, and methods. In some aspects, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for holding anatomical structures in apposition with one another. The present disclosure further relates to medical anchoring devices, systems, and methods that are detachable from a deployment site. [Background technology]

[0002] Complex endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided procedures (e.g., gastrointestinal) require proper and precise positioning while maintaining clear ultrasound imaging to safely and effectively perform procedures at the desired access site. Such procedures can involve a variety of tasks, including, but not limited to, incision, ablation, and therapeutic device delivery, which typically require proper and precise positioning and control. While endoscopic imaging modalities such as fluoroscopy and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) have the ability to view anatomical structures beyond the proximal, visually accessible tissue present in front of the endoscope, therapeutic endoscopic procedures can be limited by the difficulty of controlling tissue beyond the tissue plane visually accessible by the endoscope. Different anatomical sites present unique challenges in terms of positioning, distance, and geometry. For example, placing a stent between two non-adherent anatomical structures (e.g., tissue walls) in gastrojejunostomy, hepatogastrostomy, or gallbladder drainage into either the stomach or duodenum is technically challenging due to a lack of tools to visualize, stabilize, and potentially inflate the target site. For example, in certain procedural situations, it can be difficult to properly align and position a stent with a non-adherent anatomical structure (e.g., a tissue wall). For example, advancing a stent between two non-adherent anatomical structures can push the distal non-adherent anatomical structure away from the proximal non-adherent anatomical structure. In some situations, it may not be possible for the stent to securely hold the non-adherent structures in approximation as desired or necessary for the procedure. Furthermore, once a site is accessed, the physician must be able to maintain access without the proximal or distal structures migrating away from or sliding relative to the proximal structure; failure to do so can result in loss of the access site. In some cases, if the distal site migrates away from the proximal structure, it cannot be easily reaccessed, leaving the patient with a perforation of the distal structure, which can result in harmful leakage of bodily fluids. All of these challenges can lead to procedural failure with serious complications in a patient population that is already in very poor health and has no room for failure.Improvements in the delivery and placement of devices that move anatomical structures into approximation and / or hold anatomical structures in approximation are greatly desired in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are described in more detail below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to necessarily identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the various aspects and features of the present disclosure, whether or not described in this Summary, can be used to advantage in some cases separately, or in other cases in combination with other corresponding and features of the present disclosure. No limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter is intended by either the inclusion or exclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary.

[0004] According to various principles of the present disclosure, an anchor capable of extending through an anatomical tissue at a deployment site includes a distal end forming a distal anchor portion, a proximal end forming a proximal anchor portion, and an intermediate portion between the distal and proximal ends and configured to extend through the anatomical tissue. In some aspects, the anchor is transitionable between an elongated delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein at least the distal anchor portion is formed when the anchor transitions to the deployed configuration by bending to an extending configuration transverse to the intermediate portion, and a free end of the proximal anchor portion extends away from the deployment site to allow access to the anchor for removal of the anchor from the deployment site.

[0005] Optionally, at least one of the distal anchor portion or the proximal anchor portion is curved. Optionally, the distal anchor portion is curved transversely relative to and away from the intermediate portion. Additionally or alternatively, the distal anchor portion has a free end directed away from the intermediate portion. Additionally or alternatively, the distal anchor portion has a free end extending along the anatomical tissue. Additionally or alternatively, the distal anchor portion has a free end embedded within the anatomical tissue. Additionally or alternatively, the proximal anchor portion is curved transversely relative to and away from the intermediate portion. Additionally or alternatively, the proximal anchor portion has a free end extending away from the intermediate portion so that the anchor can be grasped for removal from the deployment site. Additionally or alternatively, the anchor is transitionable from the deployment configuration to the delivery configuration when retracted into the lumen of the tubing element for removal from the deployment site.

[0006] Optionally, the anchor is formed from a shape memory material.Optionally, the anchor is formed from a wire. In some embodiments, the intermediate portion comprises a suture. Optionally, the anchor is removable from the deployment site by cutting the suture.

[0007] According to various principles of the present disclosure, a system for delivering, deploying, and retrieving an anchor from an anatomical tissue includes an anchor having a distal end forming a distal anchor portion, a proximal end forming a proximal anchor portion, and an intermediate portion between the distal and proximal anchor portions, the anchor being transitionable between an elongated delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. Optionally, the system further includes a delivery device comprising a flexible tubing element defining a lumen therethrough configured to retain the anchor therein in the elongated delivery configuration, and a retrieval device comprising an anchor engaging element and the tubing element, the anchor engaging element configured to engage the proximal anchor portion to retract the anchor proximally from the deployment site, the tubing element defining a lumen therethrough configured to retain the anchor in the elongated delivery configuration.

[0008] Optionally, the proximal anchor portion has a free end extending away from the intermediate portion of the anchor so as to be graspable by a retrieval device to remove the anchor from the deployment site.

[0009] In accordance with various principles of the present invention, a method for deploying an anchor relative to an anatomical tissue and subsequently removing the anchor from the anatomical tissue includes delivering the anchor to the anatomical tissue in an elongated delivery configuration; deploying the anchor such that the anchor can transition from the elongated delivery configuration to a deployed configuration configured such that at least a distal anchor portion extends across and away from an intermediate portion of the anchor; and removing the anchor after a selected period of time by proximally withdrawing the anchor to return the distal anchor portion to the elongated delivery configuration and withdrawing it proximally through and from the anatomical tissue.

[0010] Optionally, the method further includes delivering the anchor within a delivery device defining a lumen configured to hold the anchor in an elongated delivery configuration, the delivery device having a tissue-penetrating distal end configured to penetrate the anatomical tissue to deliver a distal end of the anchor distally of the anatomical tissue and to extend across an intermediate portion of the anchor extending through the anatomical tissue. Optionally, the method further includes retracting the delivery device proximally and / or advancing the anchor distally from the lumen of the delivery device to position the distal end of the anchor distally of the anatomical tissue.

[0011] Optionally, the method further includes grasping a proximal free end of the anchor extending away from the anatomical tissue with an anchor engaging element of a retrieval device. Optionally, the method further includes engaging an anchor engaging retrieval mechanism on the anchor engaging element with a retrieval mechanism on the proximal portion of the anchor.

[0012] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, and the scope of the claimed invention will be set forth in the appended claims. While the following disclosure is presented in terms of aspects or embodiments, it should be recognized that individual aspects may be claimed separately or in combination with aspects and features of that embodiment or any other embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1A-1C are front views of example embodiments of anchors formed in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure and deployed across non-adhesive anatomical structures. [Figure 2] 10A-10C illustrate another example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 10A-10C illustrate another example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10A-10C illustrate another example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 10A-10C illustrate another example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10A-10C illustrate another example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10A-10C illustrate another example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] 1 is a front view of an example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure being delivered to a deployment site using a delivery device formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] 1 is a front view of an example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure delivered and deployed to a deployment site using a delivery device formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 8C] 1 illustrates a front view of an example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure deployed relative to a deployment site using a delivery device formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure; [Figure 9] 1 is a front view of an example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure being removed from a deployment site with a retrieval device formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 10A] 1A-1C illustrate an example embodiment of a retrieval device formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure, with an example embodiment of an anchor engaging element positioned to engage with a retrieval mechanism of an example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a view similar to FIG. 10A showing the anchor engaging element engaging the retrieval mechanism. [Figure 11A] 10A-10C illustrate another example embodiment of a retrieval device formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure, with an anchor engaging element positioned to engage with a retrieval mechanism of another example embodiment of an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 11B]FIG. 11B is a view similar to FIG. 11A showing the anchor engaging element engaging the retrieval mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are schematic and not intended to be drawn to scale. The accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only, and the dimensions, positions, order, and relative sizes reflected in each drawing may vary. For example, devices may be enlarged so that details can be appreciated, but are intended to be scaled relative to fitting into, for example, a delivery catheter or the working channel of an endoscope. In each drawing, identical, nearly identical, or equivalent elements are generally represented by the same reference numeral, and similar elements are generally designated by similar reference numerals that are different but incremented by 100 to avoid redundant description. For brevity, similar features among the illustrated implantable devices are referenced by similar reference numerals with a prefix corresponding to the number of the drawing illustrating the embodiment, and reference is made for brevity to the description of such elements in FIG. 1. For clarity and brevity, not every element is labeled in every drawing, nor every element of every embodiment is shown, unless explanation is necessary to enable those skilled in the art to understand the disclosure.

[0015] The detailed description is better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements and in which: The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings illustrating exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described, and as such, may vary. All devices, systems, and methods described herein are examples of devices and / or systems and / or methods implemented in accordance with one or more principles of the present disclosure. Each example embodiment is provided for illustrative purposes and is merely an example, not the only way, to implement these principles. Thus, references to elements, structures, or features in the drawings should be recognized as references to example embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be understood as limiting the disclosure to the particular elements, structures, or features illustrated. Other examples of ways to implement the disclosed principles will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the present subject matter. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Accordingly, the present subject matter is intended to cover all such modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0016] It will be understood that the present disclosure has been described in this application with varying degrees of detail. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for those skilled in the art to understand the present disclosure or that would make it difficult for those skilled in the art to appreciate other details may be omitted. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting beyond the scope of the appended claims. Unless otherwise defined, technical terms used herein should be understood as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. All of the devices and / or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure.

[0017] As used herein, "proximal" refers to the direction or location closest to a user (healthcare professional or clinician or technician or operator or physician, etc. (these terms are used interchangeably herein without limitation and include automated controller systems, etc.) and / or closest to a delivery device when using the device, etc. (e.g., when introducing the device into a patient or during implantation, placement, or delivery), and "distal" refers to the direction or location furthest from a user and / or from a delivery device when using the device, etc. (e.g., when introducing the device into a patient or during implantation, placement, or delivery). "Longitudinal" means extending along the longer or greater dimension of an element. "Longitudinal axis" refers to the longitudinal extension of an element. "Axial" refers to an axis extending along a centerline (extent), but is not necessarily straight, and does not necessarily maintain a constant shape when an element is curved or bent; "axial" generally refers to a direction along the longitudinal axis. However, it will be understood that references to axial or longitudinal movement with respect to the above-described systems or elements thereof need not be strictly limited to axial and / or longitudinal movement along the longitudinal or central axis of the referenced element. "Central" means at least generally bisecting through a center point and / or generally equidistant from a perimeter or boundary, and "central axis" refers to, with respect to an opening, a line at least generally bisecting through the center point of the opening. and where the opening comprises, for example, a tubular element, channel, cavity, or bore, it refers to a line extending longitudinally along the length of the opening. As used herein, "lumen" or "channel" or "bore" or "passage" is not limited to a circular cross-section. As used herein, a "free end" of an element is a terminus beyond which such element does not extend. It will be understood that terms such as at, on, adjacent to, or along an end can be used interchangeably herein without limitation, unless otherwise stated, and are intended to indicate general relative spatial relationships, rather than precisely defined locations.Finally, reference to "at" a location or region is intended to include at and / or near (e.g., along, adjacent, etc.) such location or region.

[0018] The present disclosure relates generally to low-profile medical devices that can be implanted or secured to anatomical tissue. For example, low-profile devices formed according to various principles of the present disclosure are sized, shaped, configured, and / or dimensioned to be delivered transluminally through a patient's body, for example, through a flexible tubular element that is guided within the patient's body to a deployment site for the device. In some embodiments, the low-profile device is formed from a flexible wire that is delivered within the lumen of the flexible tubular element. It will be understood that terms such as implant or secure (and other grammatical forms thereof) may be used interchangeably herein, without limitation, with terms such as anchor, attach, associate, couple, engage, embed, hold, maintain, entangle, and secure (and grammatical forms thereof). The term anchor (and other grammatical forms) is used for convenience and may be used interchangeably herein with terms such as anchor component, anchor device, anchor element, anchor mechanism, anchoring component, anchoring device, anchoring element, anchoring mechanism, etc. (and other grammatical forms), with it being further understood that such terms are known in the art to refer to a structure configured to hold another object in place. For convenience, and without any limitation intended, anchors or devices will be referred to interchangeably herein. One example of the use of such anchors is to hold anatomical structures, such as tissue walls of non-adhesive anatomical structures, in close proximity to one another, although the use of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein is not limited thereto and has other and / or broader uses and applications. For example, while the accompanying figures show anchors positioned across non-adhesive anatomical structures, the anchors may instead be positioned against adjacent tissue walls of the same anatomical structure, e.g., to close an opening in such anatomical wall. Additionally or alternatively, anchors formed according to various principles of the present disclosure may be used to hold or secure other devices or anatomical structures together relative to one another.

[0019] Devices and systems formed according to various principles of the present disclosure may be delivered in a generally elongated form to enable delivery into and through a patient's body (e.g., transluminally, such as endoscopically or transcatheterically). A pusher may be provided within the delivery device to advance the anchor distally out of the distal open end of the delivery device. Additionally or alternatively, the delivery device may be withdrawn proximally relative to the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is delivered to the deployment site in an elongated form within a suitable delivery needle. The distal end of the device is extended through the anatomy to deploy the device (if a delivery needle is used, the distal end of such delivery needle is extended through the anatomy). After deployment, the device transitions to a deployed configuration having anchor portions at one or both ends. The anchor portions may be curved or otherwise extend across an intermediate portion of the device, which may remain elongated or otherwise bend or deform in a manner suitable for the deployment site and / or its use, as determined by the medical professional utilizing such device. At least a portion of the intermediate portion can extend through the tissue in which the anchor is to be deployed. In some embodiments, the device is formed from a biocompatible material that is sufficiently elastic to allow the device to transition from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration upon deployment. Examples of materials include, but are not limited to, nitinol or another biocompatible elastic or superelastic material, including plastics such as high performance polyethylene (HPPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), nylon, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), or other materials with sufficient elasticity, stiffness, and / or ductility to transition to a configuration that allows delivery through narrow passages yet retains against tissue. In some embodiments, at least the distal end transitions to a distal anchor portion that is enlarged and / or intersects with the intermediate portion. For example, the distal anchor portion can have a curved configuration that presents an enlarged anchor portion at the distal end of the anchor. Such a configuration prevents inadvertent proximal withdrawal of the anchor and / or migration of tissue relative to the anchor portion.Once the proximal end of the anchor is secured to tissue (e.g., with the anchor inserted / implanted through tissue), the anchor can be used to hold the position of adjacent non-adhesive anatomical structures relative to one another (e.g., in close proximity). In some embodiments, the proximal end of the anchor is secured by transitioning the proximal end into a proximal anchor portion that is enlarged and / or intersects with a middle portion of the anchor, although other securing means are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0020] According to various principles of the present disclosure, a system includes a delivery device having a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen of such a delivery device is configured so that a device formed according to various principles of the present disclosure is delivered therethrough to a deployment site. The device can be maintained in an elongated delivery configuration within the lumen of the delivery device of an associated system. When the device is deployed from the lumen of the delivery device, it transitions to the deployed configuration. For example, if the device is formed from an elastic (optionally shape-memory) material, the device may deploy and automatically transition to the deployed configuration without further manipulation of the device. As can be appreciated, the lumen of the delivery device can retain the device in the delivery configuration. In some embodiments, the delivery device includes a flexible tubular element having a diameter small enough to maintain a low profile of the device, as will be understood by those skilled in the art with reference to the deployment site and / or the procedure to be performed. For example, the flexible tubular element can be a 19-gauge needle (e.g., a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) needle or a fine-needle biopsy (FNB) needle) through which the anchor is delivered and can also enable delivery of the anchor. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, 19-gauge needles have a generally desired low profile that can pierce tissue to reliably place a device formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure through the tissue without leaving excess space between the device and the tissue. The use of a low-profile flexible tubular element to deliver and optionally place the anchor within the tissue reduces, if not eliminates, the risk of leakage through the tissue, and / or ensures tight engagement of the device with the tissue, and / or allows for rapid healing of the puncture, and / or allows for rapid closure and healing if the device is later removed from the tissue.

[0021] Anchors formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure may be configured to temporarily hold non-adherent anatomical structures together during a procedure. Additionally or alternatively, after an anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure is deployed, another device may be placed over or adjacent to the anchor. For example, a stent may be placed over or adjacent to the anchor across the non-adherent anatomical structure held in approximate position by the anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure. The stent may form an anastomosis across the non-adherent anatomical structure. For example, the non-adherent anatomical structure may be the stomach and jejunum, and the anchor formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure may hold the stomach and jejunum in approximate position so that the stent can be deployed across the stomach and jejunum to form a gastrojejunal anastomosis. The anchor may be positioned to hold the non-adherent anatomical structures in approximate position to prevent leakage of materials through the stent extending across such non-adherent anatomical structures until the anastomosis is formed. After the anastomosis is formed, or when sufficient tissue ingrowth has occurred to adhere the non-adherent anatomical structures to one another, the anchor may be removed from the deployment site.

[0022] In some embodiments, anchors formed according to various principles of the present disclosure may be removable from their deployment site relative to tissue, such as after a procedure enabled by the anchor is completed. More specifically, devices and systems may be removable by one or more methods. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the device is configured to be accessible by a removal device. For example, even when the proximal end of the anchor transitions to an anchor configuration (e.g., forming a proximal anchor portion), a portion of the anchor, such as the anchor's free end, remains accessible for grasping by the removal device. The removal device may be a flexible tubular element having a lumen formed therein, and the removal device may be configured to withdraw the anchor proximally into the lumen. The removal device may return the anchor to a delivery configuration (or a configuration close to the delivery configuration to permit and / or enable removal in a similar manner as the anchor was delivered). The distal anchor portion is similarly configured to return to the delivery configuration to permit proximal withdrawal of the anchor, the distal anchor portion being withdrawn proximally through the deployment site and into the delivery device.

[0023] Various embodiments of devices, systems, and methods for tissue anchoring are described below with reference to examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References herein to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," etc., indicate that one or more particular features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure may be included in connection with the embodiments. However, such references do not necessarily imply that all embodiments include the particular feature, structure, concept, and / or characteristic, or that an embodiment includes all features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics. Some embodiments may include one or more such features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics in various combinations thereof. It should be understood that one or more of the features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics described with reference to one embodiment can be combined with one or more of the features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics of any of the other embodiments provided herein. That is, any of the features, structures, concepts, and / or characteristics described herein can be mixed and matched to create hybrid embodiments, and such hybrid embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, references in various places herein to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," etc., do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, nor are they necessarily separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, it is to be understood that the various features, structures, concepts, and / or properties of the disclosed embodiments are independent and distinct from one another and may be used or presented individually or in various combinations with one another to create alternative embodiments that are considered part of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to only the embodiments specifically set forth herein, and the example embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present disclosure, as it would be prohibitively cumbersome to describe all of the many possible combinations and subcombinations of features, structures, concepts, and / or properties.It should be understood that the various dimensions provided herein are examples, and that one of ordinary skill in the art can readily determine appropriate ranges of standard deviation and acceptable variation therefrom that are covered by the present disclosure and its associated claims. The following description is merely illustrative of embodiments and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] It will be understood that common features are identified by common reference elements, and for brevity and convenience, without intending to be limiting, descriptions of common features will not be repeated throughout. For clarity, not all components having the same reference number are numbered. Furthermore, groups of similar elements may be indicated by numbers and letters, and one or such elements or groups of such elements may be referred to by the number alone (without including the letter associated with each similar element). In the following description, it will be understood that similar elements or components among the various illustrated embodiments will generally be designated by the same reference number (less than 1000) plus increments of 100, and redundant descriptions will be omitted for brevity. Furthermore, specific features in one embodiment may be used across different embodiments and will not necessarily be individually labeled when appearing in different embodiments.

[0025] Referring now to the drawings, an example embodiment of anchor 100 formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure is shown positioned relative to and extending across a proximal non-adherent anatomical structure P and a distal non-adherent anatomical structure D. While proximal non-adherent anatomical structure P and distal non-adherent anatomical structure D are shown spaced apart from one another, it will be understood that anchor 100 may hold these structures in close proximity to one another. For example, proximal non-adherent anatomical structure P may be a patient's stomach, and distal non-adherent anatomical structure D may be a portion of the patient's jejunum, and anchor 100 may be used to enable the formation of an anastomosis therebetween (e.g., a gastrojejunostomy). Although not shown, anchor 100 may extend across a single tissue wall, or across two or more tissue walls of the same anatomical structure (e.g., tissue walls on either side of a lesion, incision, etc. in an anatomical structure that are joined together by anchor 100 formed according to various principles of the present disclosure to treat or repair the lesion, incision, etc.), or in other manners, and the present disclosure is not limited in this manner.

[0026] 1 , anchor 100 is generally elongated and has a distal end 101 and a proximal end 103. In the illustrated deployment configuration, a portion of anchor 100 along its distal end 101 forms or is formed into distal anchor portion 110 configured to hold anchor 100 relative to deployment site DS. For example, distal anchor portion 110 extends outwardly across intermediate portion 120 of anchor 100 to resist proximal pullout from deployment site DS (in the direction to which anchor 100 is delivered) and / or distal movement of tissue wall DW relative to distal anchor portion 110 of anchor 120. At deployment site DS in the illustrated example embodiment, distal anchor portion 110 is distally anchored to tissue wall DW of the distal non-adhesive anatomical structure D as shown.

[0027] Intermediate portion 120 of anchor 100 extends proximally through the tissue wall in which distal anchor portion 110 is disposed, with distal anchor portion 110 remaining distal to tissue wall DW. In embodiments in which distal non-adhesive anatomical structure DS is held in proximity to proximal non-adhesive anatomical structure PS, intermediate portion 120 extends through the tissue wall DW of distal non-adhesive anatomical structure DS and through the tissue wall PW of proximal non-adhesive anatomical structure PS. Proximal end 103 of anchor 100 may be secured proximally to the tissue wall through which anchor 100 extends to hold anchor 100 relative to deployment site DS and / or hold non-adhesive anatomical structures P and D relative to each other. The proximal end 103 of anchor 100 may be secured to the deployment site DS in various ways, such as by being held by a medical professional, and / or by applying a separate anchor element (e.g., a clip, adhesive bead, or other enlarged element that secures the proximal end 103 of anchor 100 to the deployment site DS), and / or by being deformed into an anchor configuration (e.g., a knot or bend or other configuration that generally crosses over the intermediate portion 120) to prevent movement relative to the tissue in which the anchor 100 is deployed, and / or by holding the distal non-adhesive anatomical structure DS in place relative to the proximal non-adhesive anatomical structure PS. In some embodiments, the proximal end 103 may form or be formed into a proximal anchor portion 130 that crosses over and extends outwardly from the intermediate portion 120 of anchor 100, similar to the distal anchor portion 110 described above, the configuration of each of such anchor portions being described in further detail below.

[0028] Anchor 100 as described herein may be formed from an elastic / superelastic material, optionally a shape-memory material, configured to transition a distal portion (adjacent distal end 101) and optionally a proximal portion (adjacent proximal end 103) of anchor 100 to an anchor configuration upon placement at a deployment site. For example, anchor 100 may be formed such that one or both ends 101, 103 transition into anchor portions 110, 130 that extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis LA of elongated anchor 100 along which intermediate portion 120 of anchor 100 generally extends. In accordance with various further principles of the present disclosure, the flexibility of the material of anchor 100 allows anchor portions 110, 130 to return to the elongated configuration when a retrieval force is applied to anchor 100. Anchor 100 may thereby be delivered in a generally compact delivery configuration and, optionally, retrieved in the generally compact configuration, such as in a manner generally opposite to the manner in which anchor 100 was deployed. Various configurations of distal and proximal portions of anchors configured to hold an anchor formed according to various principles of the present disclosure in place relative to a deployment site, and optionally to hold two non-adhesive anatomical structures together (e.g., in close proximity) are shown in Figures 1-7.

[0029] In the example embodiment of anchor 100 shown in FIG. 1 , distal anchor portion 110 is curved or curved into two curved portions 112a, 112b away from (e.g., transverse to) the longitudinal axis LA of anchor 100. In some embodiments, the elements forming anchor 100 are cut longitudinally to form curved portions 112a, 112b. Curved portions 112a, 112b diverge from each other to form a ram horn configuration. Free ends 111a, 111b of curved portions 112a, 112b, respectively, can be parallel to and / or directed away from the tissue wall DW of the distal non-adhesive anatomical structure D. 1 , free ends 111 a, 111 b of distal anchor portion 110 extend away from tissue wall DW. As can be appreciated, the illustrated configuration of distal anchor portion 110 allows distal end 101 of anchor 100 to be easily reconfigured from an elongated delivery configuration into distal anchor portion 110 that can hold anchor 100 against deployment site DS (e.g., by “blooming” into such a configuration as opposed to snapping into the anchor configuration). Furthermore, when a sufficient proximal force is applied to anchor 100, distal anchor portion 110 can return to the elongated delivery configuration for retrieval, as described in further detail below.

[0030] As mentioned above, the proximal end 103 of the anchor 100 can also be configured to form a proximal portion 130 configured to hold the anchor 100 against the deployment site. The proximal end 103 of the example embodiment of the anchor 100 shown in FIG. 1 is curved or is curved away from the longitudinal axis LA of the anchor 100 into the proximal anchor portion 130 in the shape of a simple loop 132. Such a configuration allows the proximal end 103 of the anchor 100 to be easily reconfigured from the elongated delivery configuration to the proximal anchor portion 130 during deployment, as described in further detail below, and also allows the proximal anchor portion 130 to be returned to the elongated delivery configuration for retrieval upon application of a sufficient proximal force.

[0031] The example embodiment of anchor 200 shown in FIG. 2 is similar to the example embodiment of anchor 100 shown in FIG. 1 , except that distal anchor portion 210 includes only one curved portion 212 extending transversely relative to longitudinal axis LA. Such a configuration may allow for easier retrieval than if two curved portions were formed at distal end 201 of anchor 200. Such a configuration may also be easier to coat (e.g., with an electrically insulating material) than other configurations. The remaining elements of the example embodiment of anchor 200 shown in FIG. 2 may be similar to the example embodiment of anchor 100 shown in FIG. 1 and are labeled with similar reference numbers plus 100, and for a description of such elements, reference is made to the above description for brevity.

[0032] Curved portions 112a, 112b of distal anchor portion 110 of anchor 100 shown in Figure 1 and curved portion 212 of distal anchor portion 110 of anchor 200 shown in Figure 2 can be considered to be unwound upon themselves, with their respective free ends 111a, 111b, 211 oriented generally toward the distal ends 101, 201 of anchors 100, 200. However, in some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 3, anchor 300 can include distal anchor portion 310 having curved portions 312a, 312b that curve away from (e.g., transverse to) longitudinal axis LA of anchor 100 but do not unwound upon themselves. In such embodiments, it is desirable that the respective free ends 311a, 312b of curved portions 312a, 312b be substantially parallel to the tissue wall through which anchor 300 extends. Alternatively, free ends 311 a, 311 b of curved portions 312 a, 312 b of distal anchor portion 310 may extend into the tissue wall through which anchor 300 extends, thereby increasing the anchoring force of distal anchor portion 310 against the deployment site. It will be understood that the material forming anchor 300 shown in FIG. 3 may be somewhat more rigid than the material forming anchor 100 shown in FIG. 1 or anchor 200 shown in FIG. 2 (which have greater curvature and, optionally, length) so that curved portions 312 a, 312 b can exert sufficient holding force against the deployment site DS. It will be understood that other elements of the example embodiment of anchor 300 shown in FIG. 3 may be similar to the example embodiment of anchor 100 shown in FIG. 1 and are labeled with similar reference numbers plus 200, and reference is made to the above description for a description of such elements for brevity.

[0033] Instead of anchor 100 having a proximal anchor portion 130 formed as a simple loop 132 as shown in FIG. 1, the proximal anchor portion can have a variety of other configurations, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

[0034] For example, the example embodiment of anchor 400 shown in FIG. 4 provides a simplified proximal anchor portion 430 to facilitate retrieval of anchor 400. More specifically, instead of forming a generally closed loop 132 as in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, proximal anchor portion 430 includes a curved portion 432 that extends transversely relative to the longitudinal axis LA of anchor 400 (e.g., transversely relative to intermediate portion 420) to adequately hold proximal anchor portion 430 and tissue relative to one another at the deployment site. Curved portion 432 formed as a generally open curve can be more easily returned to an elongated delivery configuration for retrieval (as described in further detail below) than the more closed loops 132, 232, 332 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, respectively. It will be appreciated that distal anchor portion 410 of the example embodiment of anchor 400 shown in FIG. 4 is substantially similar to distal anchor portion 110 of the example embodiment of anchor 100 shown in FIG. 1. However, other configurations of distal anchor portion 410 (e.g., those described above or other) are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, and the configuration of proximal anchor portion 430 is not intended to limit the configuration of distal anchor portion 410. It will be understood that other elements of the example embodiment of anchor 400 shown in FIG. 4 may be similar to the example embodiment of anchor 100 shown in FIG. 1 and are labeled with similar reference numbers plus 300, and reference is made to the above description for a description of such elements for brevity.

[0035] Instead of being wound generally in a single plane, as in the example embodiments of anchors 100, 400 shown in Figures 1 and 4, proximal anchor portion 530 may be wound in a coil spring configuration about an axis generally parallel to longitudinal axis LA of intermediate portion 520 of anchor 500, with coil 532 extending generally transverse to the longitudinal extension of intermediate portion 520, as shown in Figure 5. Such a configuration may hold anchor 500 rigidly relative to the deployment site, but allow for retrieval of anchor 500, such as in the manner described below. It will be understood that other elements of the example embodiment of anchor 500 shown in Figure 5 may be similar to the example embodiment of anchor 100 shown in Figure 1 and are labeled with similar reference numbers plus 400, and reference is made to the above description for a description of such elements for brevity. However, it will be understood that other configurations of the distal anchor portion 510 (e.g., those described above or others) are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, and that the configuration of the proximal anchor portion 530 is not intended to limit the configuration of the distal anchor portion 510.

[0036] Like the example embodiment of anchor 500 shown in Figure 5, the example embodiments of anchors 600, 700 shown in Figures 6 and 7 include proximal anchor portions 630, 730 having two or more curved portions 632, 732. However, unlike the coil 523 of the proximal anchor portion 530 of the example embodiment of anchor 600 shown in Figure 5, the curved portions 632, 732 of the example embodiments of anchors 500, 700 shown in Figures 6 and 7 are not disposed in a plane that intersects the longitudinal extension of the intermediate portions 620, 720 of the anchors 600, 700.

[0037] More specifically, in the example embodiment of anchor 600 shown in FIG. 6 , proximal end 603 is curved or curved to form proximal anchor portion 630, with sinusoidally shaped curved portion 632 extending away from and generally intersecting intermediate portion 620. The sinusoidal waves (1 wave, 2 waves, 3 waves, 4 waves, etc.) of curved portion 632, and / or portions thereof, can be in the same plane or in two or more planes, such as in different respective planes that intersect with each other. In some embodiments, curved portion 632 is curved about or about a longitudinal axis LA that is generally parallel to intermediate portion 620 of anchor 600. Furthermore, the plane in which curved portion 632 extends can be the same plane as or intersect with the plane in which curved portions 612 a, 612 b of distal anchor portion 610 of anchor 600 extend.

[0038] The shape of the proximal anchor portion 730 of the example embodiment of anchor 700 shown in FIG. 7 is similar to, but further simplified than, the proximal anchor portion 630 of the example embodiment of anchor 600 shown in FIG. 6 . Specifically, the proximal end 703 of the example embodiment of anchor 700 shown in FIG. 7 is curved or curved to form the proximal anchor portion 730 having an S-shaped curved portion 732 (e.g., a simple single sine wave). It will be understood that the curvature of the S-shaped curved portion 732 need not be in the same plane, and the S-shaped curve itself need not lie in a single plane. In some embodiments, the S-shaped curved portion 732 is curved about or around an axis that is generally parallel to the intermediate portion 720 of the anchor 700. Furthermore, the plane in which the S-shaped curved portion 732 of the anchor 700 lies can be in the same plane as the plane in which the curved portions 712 a, 712 b of the distal anchor portion 710 extend, or can be in a plane that intersects that plane.

[0039] Any of the above-described anchors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may be configured in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure to be delivered transluminally (e.g., transcatheter, endoscopically, etc.). To enable such delivery, anchors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may be delivered in a generally compact, generally elongated configuration (extending all, most, or a portion along the longitudinal axis LA of the anchor). When anchors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 are formed from a shape memory material configured to form one or both of anchor portions 110, 130, 210, 230, 310, 330, 410, 430, 510, 530, 610, 630, 710, 730 as described above, anchors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 can be delivered housed within the lumen of a flexible tubular delivery device configured to maintain anchors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 in a delivery configuration. Any of the anchors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 described above may be part of or used with an anchor system 1000 that includes elements that allow for delivery and / or deployment and / or retrieval of the anchor 100. Figures 8A-8C show an example embodiment of an anchor system 1000 that delivers an example embodiment of an anchor 100 formed according to various principles of the present disclosure. Figure 9 shows an example embodiment of an anchor system 1000 that retrieves (retracts proximally and withdraws) an example embodiment of an anchor 100' similar to the anchor 100 shown in Figure 1 but modified to facilitate retrieval.

[0040] 8A-8C includes a flexible tubular delivery device 1100 having a lumen 1115 defined therein. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the lumen 1105 of the delivery device 1100 is sized, shaped, configured, and / or dimensioned such that an anchor 100 formed in accordance with various principles of the present disclosure fits within the lumen 1105 in a generally elongated delivery configuration for delivery to a deployment site. For example, the anchor 100 may be formed from an elongated element, such as a wire, and the lumen 1105 may be dimensioned to retain such elongated element in an elongated configuration to enable delivery (e.g., transluminal delivery) of the anchor 100 within a patient to a deployment site DS. Although anchor 100 as shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, it will be understood that any of the other anchors 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 described above, or other anchors formed according to various principles of the present disclosure, may be used with anchor system 1000 described herein.

[0041] In some embodiments, the delivery device 1100 includes a tissue-piercing tip 1102 at the distal end 1101 of the delivery device 1100. The tissue-piercing tip 1102 is configured to penetrate a tissue wall to deliver the distal end 101 of the anchor 100 to the deployment site DS. In some embodiments, the tissue-piercing tip 1102 can be a sharp tip capable of puncturing tissue. Additionally or alternatively, a separate tissue-piercing delivery device 1110 can form the entry site for the delivery device 1100 and anchor 100 and deliver the delivery device 1100 and anchor 100 to the deployment site DS. Such an optional tissue-piercing delivery device 1110 (shown in dash-dot lines in the figures) includes a sharp tissue-piercing tip 1112 at the distal end 1111 of the tissue-piercing delivery device 1110. 8A , the sharp tissue-piercing tip 1112 can puncture and penetrate the anatomy to deliver the delivery device 1100 and anchor 100 (disposed within the lumen 1105 of the delivery device 1100) therethrough. In embodiments including a separate tissue-piercing delivery device 1112, the distal end 1101 of the delivery device 1100 is generally blunt and may not include a tissue-piercing tip 1102. Optionally, the anchor system 1000 includes or is used in conjunction with an endoscope 1200 having a working channel 1205 through which the delivery device 1100 (and separate tissue-piercing delivery device 1110, if present) and anchor 100 are delivered to the deployment site DS.

[0042] In the example embodiment depicted in Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C, an example embodiment of anchor 100 is depicted as being deployed across adjacent non-adhesive anatomical structures. The sharp tissue-piercing end 1101 of delivery device 1100 or the sharp tissue-piercing end 1112 of tissue-piercing delivery device 1110 pierces the proximal non-adhesive anatomical structure PS and the distal non-adhesive anatomical structure DS to access a deployment site distal to the distal non-adhesive anatomical structure DS. The delivery device 1100 can then be retracted proximally, as depicted in Figure 8B, to deploy the distal end 101 of anchor 100. Additionally or alternatively, a pusher 1120 can be provided within delivery device 1100 and configured to engage the proximal end 103 of anchor 100 to push anchor 100 out of delivery device 1100 and into the deployed configuration. As can be understood with reference to Figure 8B, as the distal end 101 of the anchor 100 exits the lumen 1105 of the delivery device 1100, the distal end 101 transitions to form a distal anchor portion 110 configured to anchor relative to tissue at the deployment site. The delivery device 1100 is then further retracted, as shown in Figure 8C, allowing the proximal end 103 of the anchor 100 to deploy and form a proximal anchor portion 130, which may hold the anchor 100 in place relative to the deployment site and hold the tissue wall PW of the proximal non-adhesive anatomical structure PS in place against the tissue wall DW of the distal non-adhesive anatomical structure DS.

[0043] In accordance with various principles of the present disclosure, any or all of the anchors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 described above can be configured to allow retrieval from the deployment site. For example, the proximal free ends 133, 233, 333, 433, 533, 633, 733 of the example embodiments of anchors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 face away from the deployment site, toward the direction to which the anchors are delivered. The orientation and / or configuration of the proximal free ends 133, 233, 333, 433, 533, 633, 733 can enhance accessibility of the anchors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 with a retrieval device, such as for accessing and withdrawing the anchors proximally from the deployment site. The retrieval device may be of any desired form known or previously known to those skilled in the art configured to grasp an end of a device, such as the free end 133, 233, 333, 433, 533, 633, 733, of any of the example embodiments of anchors 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 described herein and shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, respectively.

[0044] In some embodiments, such as those illustrated in Figures 9, 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B, the anchor includes a retrieval mechanism that allows engagement by a retrieval device for removal of the anchor from the deployment site by the retrieval device. While anchor 800 shown in Figures 9, 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B appears similar to anchor 100 shown in Figure 1, it will be understood that the principles of anchor retrieval are applicable to anchors of any other configurations, such as, but not limited to, any of the configurations of anchors 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Furthermore, it will be understood that the illustrated anchor 800 is shown with a first embodiment retrieval mechanism 805 in Figure 9, a second embodiment retrieval mechanism 807 in Figures 10A and 10B, and a third embodiment retrieval mechanism 809 in Figures 11A and 11B. It will be understood that features of anchor 800 shown in Figures 9, 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B that are labeled with the same reference numbers are substantially the same. Furthermore, it will be understood that elements of the example embodiment of anchor 800 shown in Figures 9, 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B that are similar to elements of the example embodiment of anchor 100 shown in Figure 1 are labeled with like reference numbers plus 700, and reference is made to the above description for a description of such elements for brevity. The various devices, systems, and methods described with reference to Figures 9, 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B may be applied to any of the example embodiments of the retrieval mechanism described herein, as described herein.

[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of an anchor 800 formed with a retrieval mechanism 805 that allows for retrieval from the deployment site DS. The anchor 800 of the illustrated example embodiment includes a retrieval mechanism 805 formed adjacent a free end 833 of a proximal anchor portion 830 formed at a proximal end 803 of the anchor 800. As also shown in FIG. 9 , the anchor system 1000 can include a retrieval device 1300 configured to engage and retrieve the anchor 800. The retrieval device 1300 of the illustrated example embodiment includes a flexible tubular element 1310 configured to deliver an anchor engaging element 1320. In some embodiments, the flexible tubular element 1310 can be the same as or similar to the delivery device 1100 described above. The flexible tubular element 1310 can be blunt, where the anchor engaging element 1320 retracts the anchor 100 proximally into the flexible tubular element 1310. However, if the distal end of flexible tubular element 1310 has a sharp, tissue-piercing tip, the outer diameter can be selected such that flexible tubular element 1310 can extend through the deployment site and over distal anchor portion 110 to transition distal anchor portion 110 to a delivery configuration for retrieval from the deployment site. Anchor engaging element 1320 includes an anchor engaging portion 1322 having an anchor engaging retrieval mechanism 1325 configured to mate with a retrieval mechanism along the proximal end 103 of anchor 800. For example, the anchor engaging retrieval mechanism and the retrieval mechanism on the anchor can be mating notches or other interengaging shapes, such as in the example embodiment of retrieval mechanism 805 shown on anchor 800 or the alternative embodiment of retrieval mechanism 807 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B .

[0046] 10A , once distal end 1301 of retrieval device 1300 reaches near proximal end 803′ of anchor 800, flexible tubular element 1310 can be retracted proximally and / or anchor engaging element 1320 can be advanced distally to extend anchor engaging portion 1322 of anchor engaging element 1320 distally from distal end 1311 of flexible tubular element 1310 toward proximal end 803′ of anchor 800. An anchor engaging and retrieval mechanism 1325 of anchor engaging element 1320 can then be engaged with retrieval mechanism 805 of anchor 800, shown in FIG. 9, and retrieval mechanism 807, shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. To hold anchor engaging and retrieval mechanism 1325 on anchor engaging portion 1322 engaged with retrieval mechanisms 805, 807 on anchor 800, flexible tubing element 1310 is advanced over anchor engaging and retrieval mechanism 1325 and retrieval mechanisms 805, 807, as shown in FIG. 10B . Anchor engaging element 1320 can then be retracted proximally, either alone or together with flexible tubing element 1310, to withdraw anchor 800 proximally from the deployment site. As can be appreciated, anchor 800 is returned to its generally elongated delivery configuration when it is retracted proximally within flexible tubing element 1310 for retrieval from the patient's body.

[0047] 10A and 10B are shown with a single anchor engaging and retrieval mechanism 1325, it will be understood that other configurations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the example embodiment of retrieval device 1300' shown in Figures 11A and 11B has an anchor engaging element 1320' with two or more anchor engaging portions 1322a', 1322b', each anchor engaging portion having an anchor engaging and retrieval mechanism 1325a', 1325b', respectively. Similarly, the example embodiment of anchor 800 has two or more retrieval mechanisms 809a, 809b (e.g., a number corresponding to the number of anchor engaging and retrieval mechanisms). Providing two or more anchor engaging and retrieval mechanisms 1325a, 1325b and two or more retrieval mechanisms 809a, 809b may facilitate alignment of anchor engaging and retrieval mechanisms 1325a', 1325b' with their respective retrieval mechanisms 809a, 809b on anchor 800 and facilitate capture of anchor 800 by anchor engaging portion 1322 of anchor engaging element 1320. Once anchor engaging and retrieval mechanisms 1325', 1325b' engage with their respective retrieval mechanisms 809a, 809b on anchor 800, flexible tubular element 1310 is advanced over anchor engaging portion 1322 and proximal end 803 of anchor 800 to maintain engagement between anchor engaging and retrieval mechanisms 1325a', 1325b' and retrieval mechanisms 809a, 809b. Anchor engaging element 1320' can then be retracted proximally, either alone or together with flexible tubular element 1310, to withdraw anchor 800 proximally from the deployment site.

[0048] Various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, while the anchors described above have anchor portions formed from the same elongate element, it will be understood that the anchor portions can be formed separately (e.g., from a shape memory material as described above) and connected to each other with sutures. Alternatively, the proximal anchor portion can be a suture connected to a distal anchor portion formed from another material, such as a shape memory material. To release the anchor from the deployment site, simply cutting the suture can allow the distal anchor portion to naturally exit the body. Preferably, a biocompatible material is used, and the size of the distal anchor portion is small enough to not affect the patient upon exiting the patient's body. The proximal portion can be retrieved when the suture is cut, releasing the distal and proximal anchor portions and releasing the anchor from the deployment site.

[0049] Those skilled in the art should understand that this description is merely a description of illustrative examples of embodiments and is not intended as a limitation on the broader aspects of the present disclosure. All devices and methods described herein are examples of devices and / or methods implemented in accordance with one or more principles of the present disclosure. These examples are not the only ways of implementing these principles; they are merely examples and are not intended as a limitation on the broader aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, references to elements, structures, or features in the drawings should be recognized as references to example embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to the particular elements, structures, or features shown. Other examples of ways of implementing the disclosed principles will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes can be applied to the disclosed devices, systems, and / or methods and / or to the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the present disclosure. It will be understood that various features described with respect to one embodiment can typically be applied to other embodiments, whether or not explicitly stated. The various features described below can be used alone or in any combination thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to only the embodiments specifically described herein, but that all alternatives and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0050] Although embodiments of the present disclosure may be described with specific reference to medical devices and systems and procedures applied to the gastrointestinal system, it should be understood that such medical devices, systems, and procedures may be used to treat tissues of the abdominal cavity, digestive system, urinary tract, reproductive tract, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, circulatory system, etc. In addition to those described above, various additional advantages of the various aspects, features, components, and structures of the devices, systems, and methods as described above may be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0051] The foregoing description has broad applicability and is presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. It should be understood that various additions, modifications, and substitutions may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the present disclosure. In particular, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the principles of the present disclosure may be provided in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components without departing from the concept, spirit, or scope or characteristics thereof. For example, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, or forms for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. However, it should be understood that various features of some aspects, embodiments, or forms of the present disclosure may be combined with alternative aspects, embodiments, or forms. While the present disclosure is presented in terms of embodiments, it should be recognized that such individual features need not be present to achieve at least some of the desired properties and / or benefits of the present subject matter or various separate features of the present subject matter. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be used with many modifications, or with modifications in structure, arrangement, size, materials, components, or otherwise used in the practice of the present disclosure specifically adapted to particular environments and operating conditions, without departing from the principles, spirit, or scope of the disclosure. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be composed of multiple parts, or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, operations of elements may be reversed or otherwise changed, and elements may be sized or dimensioned differently. Similarly, although operations, acts, or procedures may be described in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring such a particular order, or that all operations, acts, or procedures must be performed to achieve desired results. Furthermore, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the acts recited in the claims may be performed in a different order and still achieve desired results.The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the claimed subject matter being indicated by the appended claims and not limited to the foregoing description or the specific embodiments or arrangements described or illustrated herein. In view of the above, individual features of any embodiment may be used and claimed separately or in combination with features of that embodiment or any other embodiment, the scope of the subject matter being indicated by the appended claims and not limited to the foregoing description.

[0052] In the foregoing description and the claims that follow, it is recognized that: As used herein, the terms "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or" are open-ended expressions, both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. The terms "a," "an," "the," "first," "second," etc. do not exclude a plurality. For example, as used herein, the term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more," and "at least one" may be used interchangeably herein. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally used in its sense including "and / or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the conjunction "and" includes each of the structures, components, features, etc. so connected, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, and the conjunction "or" includes one or the other of the structures, components, features, etc. so connected, both singly and in any combination and number, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. All directional designations (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, rear, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, counterclockwise, etc.) are used for identification purposes only to aid the reader in understanding this disclosure and / or serve to distinguish regions of related elements from one another and do not limit the related elements, particularly with respect to location, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Connection designations (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, engaged, and joined) are to be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members and relative movement of elements between groups of elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection designations do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly and fixedly connected to one another. Identification designations (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to imply importance or priority and are used to distinguish one feature from another.

[0053] The following claims are hereby incorporated by reference into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this disclosure. In the claims, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and "comprising" do not exclude the presence of other elements, components, features, groups, regions, integers, steps, operations, etc. In addition, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may in some cases be advantageously combined, and their inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and / or advantageous. In addition, a reference to the singular does not exclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.

Claims

1. An anchor capable of extending through an anatomical structure at a deployment site, comprising: a distal end forming a distal anchor portion; a proximal end forming a proximal anchor portion; an intermediate portion between the distal end and the proximal end configured to extend through an anatomical tissue; the anchor is transitionable between an elongated delivery configuration and a deployed configuration; at least the distal anchor portion is formed by bending into a configuration that extends transversely relative to the intermediate portion when the anchor transitions to the deployed configuration; An anchor wherein a free end of the proximal anchor portion extends away from the deployment site to allow access to the anchor for removal of the anchor from the deployment site.

2. The anchor of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the distal anchor portion or the proximal anchor portion is curved.

3. The anchor of claim 2 , wherein the distal anchor portion curves transversely to and away from the intermediate portion.

4. The anchor of claim 2 or 3, wherein the distal anchor portion has a free end directed away from the intermediate portion.

5. The anchor of claim 2 or 3, wherein the distal anchor portion has a free end that extends along the anatomical structure.

6. The anchor of claim 2 or 3, wherein the distal anchor portion has a free end that is embedded within the anatomical tissue.

7. The anchor of claim 2 , wherein the proximal anchor portion curves transversely to and away from the intermediate portion.

8. The anchor of claim 2 , wherein the proximal anchor portion has a free end extending away from the intermediate portion such that the proximal anchor portion can be grasped to remove the anchor from the deployment site.

9. The anchor of claim 2 , wherein the anchor is transitionable from the deployment configuration to the delivery configuration when retracted into a lumen of a tubing element for removal from the deployment site.

10. The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is formed from a shape memory material.

11. The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is formed from a wire.

12. The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion comprises a suture.

13. The anchor of claim 12 , wherein the anchor is removable from the deployment site by severing the suture.

14. 1. A system for delivering, deploying, and retrieving an anchor from an anatomical tissue, comprising: an anchor having a distal end forming a distal anchor portion, a proximal end forming a proximal anchor portion, and an intermediate portion between the distal anchor portion and the proximal anchor portion, the anchor being transitionable between an elongated delivery configuration and a deployed configuration; a delivery device comprising a flexible tubular element defining a lumen therethrough, the lumen configured to retain the anchor within the lumen in the elongated delivery configuration; a retrieval device comprising an anchor engaging element and a tubing element, the anchor engaging element configured to engage the proximal anchor portion to retract the anchor proximally from a deployment site, the tubing element configured to define a lumen therethrough to retain the anchor in the elongated delivery configuration.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the proximal anchor portion has a free end extending away from the intermediate portion of the anchor such that the proximal anchor portion is graspable by the retrieval device to remove the anchor from the deployment site.

Images