Suturing device and method

• US 20070276413A1
• Filed: 01/12/2007
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scarab Technology Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Nobles Medical Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Nobles, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,197,510 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 a patent foramen ovale, comprising:

advancing an elongate body into proximity with a patent foramen ovale, said elongate body holding first and second suture portions;

deploying first and second needles from said elongate body through tissue of the patent foramen ovale into engagement with the first and second suture portions;

retracting said first and second needles to draw said at least first and second suture portions through tissue of the patent foramen ovale;

advancing a patch along said first and second suture portions toward said patent foramen ovale; and

applying a knot to said at least first and second suture portions to hold said patch against said patent foramen ovale.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising pulling said at least first and second suture portions tight to close said patent foramen ovale.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the patch comprises collagen.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the patch comprises Dacron.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning first and second arms of said elongate body adjacent to said tissue of said patent foramen ovale, said first and second arms configured to releasably hold said first and second suture portions.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein positioning said first and second arms comprises actuating said first and second arms from a first position wherein said arms are within said elongate body to a second position wherein said first and second arms extend away from said elongate body.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said first and second arms are configured to be actuated at the same time.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said first and second needles are configured to be deployed at the same time.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said first and second needles are configured to be deployed at different times.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said first and second needles are configured to be deployed sequentially.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said first and second arms are configured to be actuated sequentially.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said first and second needles are configured to be deployed sequentially.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising actuating said first and second arms from said second position to said first position and withdrawing said distal end of said elongate body from said patent foramen ovale.

14. A method of closing a patent foramen ovale, comprising:

advancing an elongate body into proximity with a patent foramen ovale, the elongate body carrying at least one needle;

positioning at least one suture portion on a first side of tissue, the tissue having said first side and a second side;

moving the needle from the second side through said tissue into engagement with the at least one suture portion on the first side,

retracting the needle through the tissue with the at least one suture portion;

advancing a patch along the at least one suture portion towards said patent foramen ovale;

applying a knot to the at least one suture portion to secure said patch.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising pulling said at least one suture portion tight to close said patent foramen ovale.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the patch comprises collagen.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the patch comprises Dacron.