Needle array suturing/sewing anastomosis device and method for anastomosis

• US 20030065336A1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Published: 04/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Xiao, Jia Hua
• Granted Patent: US 6,746,456 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0472 Multiple-needled, e.g. double-needled, instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06042 located close to needle tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1107 for blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1139 Side-to-side connections, e.g. shunt or X-connections

Abstract

A needle array adapted to deliver sutures for the anastomosis of two separated tissues through the intermediary of suturing and sewing. More particularly, provided is needle array delivering sutures for the side-to-side anastomosis of two separated vessels, such as an artery or body lumen and a vessel graft or the like. A method of utilizing a needle array is shown, which will provide sutures for sewing separated tissues together, and especially facilitates the side-to-side anastomosis of body lumens or vessels.

Claims

1. A method of implementing the anastomosis of two separated superimposed tissues from body vessels through the intermediary of suturing and sewing;

comprising the steps of;

(a) positioning an array of spaced sutures needles along one side of said tissues wherein the tips of said needles face towards said tissues;

a first continuous suture being supported on each of said needle tips and forming depending loop portions extending along the shank portions of each of said needles;

(b) advancing said array of needles such that the needles tips concurrently puncture through said superimposed tissues and cause said suture loops to protrude through the opposite side of said superimposed tissues;

(c) retracting said needle array so as to form a space between each needle and a therewith associated suture loop;

(d) passing a further continuous length of suture through each of the spaces between said loops so as to interleaf said sutures; and

(e) withdrawing said array of needles from said tissues, and tensioning and knotting together said sutures so as to complete the anastomosis of said body vessels.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said needle array extends linearly along the lengths of said superimposed tissues.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, said further suture is passed through said spaces between said needles and suture loops.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said suture loops are passed through said superimposed tissues in a single advance of said needles of said needle array.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said needle array is mounted in a cartridge.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a needle array is adapted to implement suturing on superimposed tissues on opposite edges of said body vessels and grafts.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said needle array effectuates a side-to-side anastomosis of said superimposed tissues of the body vessels and grafts.

8. A device for implementing the anastomosis of two separated superimposed tissues from body vessels through the intermediary of suturing and sewing;

comprising;

(a) an array of spaced sutures needles positioned along one side of said tissues wherein the tips of said needles face towards said tissues;

a first continuous suture being supported on each of said needle tips and forming depending loop portions extending along the shank portions of each of said needles;

(b) said array of needles being advanceable such that the needles tips concurrently puncture through said superimposed tissues and cause said suture loops to protrude through the opposite side of said superimposed tissues;

(c) said needle array being retractable so as to form a space between each needle and a therewith associated suture loop;

(d) a further continuous length of suture extending through each of the spaces between said loops so as to interleaf said sutures; and

(e) said array of needles being withdrawable from said tissues, and tensioning and knotting together said sutures so as to complete the anastomosis of said body vessels.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said needle array extends linearly along the lengths of said superimposed tissues.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said further suture is passed through said spaces between said needles and suture loops.

11. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said suture loops are passed through said superimposed tissues in a single advance of said needles of said needle array.

12. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said needle array is mounted in a cartridge.

13. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a needle array is adapted to implement suturing on superimposed tissues on opposite edges of said body vessels and grafts.

14. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said needle array effectuates a side-to-side anastomosis of said superimposed tissues of the body vessels and grafts.