Suturing device and method

• US 20070043385A1
• Filed: 08/14/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scarab Technology Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Nobles Medical Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Decker, Steven, Nobles, Anthony, Brosch, Benjamin
• Granted Patent: US 8,348,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0057 Implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel puncture or closing a cardiac septal defect sutures A61B17/04; closing rectum or urethra near body surface A61F2/0009
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0491 Sewing machines for surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0625 the needle being specially adapted to interact with the manipulator, e.g. being ridged to snap fit in a hole of the manipulator A61B17/06109 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00637 for sealing trocar wounds through abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00659 located only on one side of the opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00663 the implement being a suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00672 Locating means therefor, e.g. bleed back lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• 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 2017/2911 rings

Abstract

A suturing device and method allows a physician to remotely suture biological tissue. The device includes an elongate body, first and second arms operably connected to the elongated body, whereby each arm mounts an end portion of a suture, and first and second needles, each needle having a distal end and being mounted such that the distal end of the needle is movable to engage respective end portions of said suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an actuator which drives the needles to engage the suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an occluding device operably connected to the elongate body such that the occluding device may be advanced from the distal end of the elongate body to temporarily occlude the incision to be sutured.

Claims

1. A method of closing an opening, comprising:

inserting an elongate body into the opening, the elongate body configured to deliver suture portions through tissue adjacent the opening, and comprising an occlusion device extendable from the distal end of the elongate body;

positioning at least first and second suture portions through tissue adjacent the opening;

deploying the occlusion device in the opening to occlude the opening;

applying a knot to the suture portions while the occlusion device occludes the opening; and

withdrawing the occlusion device from the opening.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein deploying the occlusion device comprises engaging the occlusion device against the opening to temporarily occlude the opening.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening is located in a patient'"'"'s blood vessel and wherein deploying the occlusion device comprises temporarily occluding the blood vessel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the occlusion device comprises an inflatable member and wherein deploying the occlusion member comprises inflating the inflatable member.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the occlusion device comprises an inverting member.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising withdrawing the elongate body away from the opening while the occlusion device occludes the opening.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after withdrawing the occlusion device from the opening, tightening the knot to close the opening.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning at least first and second suture portions through tissue adjacent the opening comprises placing a suture across the opening.

9. A method of closing an opening, comprising:

placing at least two suture portions through tissue adjacent the opening;

delivering an occlusion device to a location adjacent the opening;

positioning the occlusion device against the opening to occlude the opening;

applying a knot to the two suture portions while the occlusion device occludes the opening; and

removing the occlusion device from the opening.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the opening is an opening in a blood vessel.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the occlusion device is a balloon.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the occlusion device is an inverting member.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least two suture portions are placed through tissue adjacent the opening prior to the occlusion device occluding the opening.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising, after removing the occlusion device from the opening, tightening a knot to close the opening.