Limited Access Suturing Devices, System, and Methods
First Claim
1. A suturing device for use with a suturing needle, the device comprising:
- a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body having an elongate extension extending along an axis toward the distal end, the extension configured to define a bend in the axis;
a first clamp near the distal end of the body;
a linkage effecting a movement of the first clamp between a grasping configuration and a released configuration, the first clamp configured for grasping the needle in the grasping configuration and the needle being released in the released configuration, the linkage comprising a shaft movable along the axis within the extension so as to effect the movement of the first clamp, the shaft having axial stiffness and being laterally flexible so as to transmit the movement and accommodate the bend.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Medical suturing devices, systems, and methods will be useful for endoscopic (with or without access ports) or other surgeries in which access is limited, including ear, nose, and throat procedures. Articulation motions may be transferred from a handle to needle grasping jaws using an axial movement of a shaft that has axial stiffness (such as being stiff in compression) and lateral flexibility or an axial movement of a cable. An extension body (within which the shaft or cable moves) between the handle and jaws can be pre-bent or custom bent by the user. Portions of the devices may be disposable, replaceable, and/or reusable. A spring adjacent the clamp may open the clamp or impose a gripping force.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A suturing device for use with a suturing needle, the device comprising:
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a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body having an elongate extension extending along an axis toward the distal end, the extension configured to define a bend in the axis; a first clamp near the distal end of the body; a linkage effecting a movement of the first clamp between a grasping configuration and a released configuration, the first clamp configured for grasping the needle in the grasping configuration and the needle being released in the released configuration, the linkage comprising a shaft movable along the axis within the extension so as to effect the movement of the first clamp, the shaft having axial stiffness and being laterally flexible so as to transmit the movement and accommodate the bend. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A suturing device for use with a suturing needle, the device comprising:
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a body having a proximal end and a distal end; an extension extendable along an axis distally of the body, the extension configured to define a bend in the axis; a first clamp supportable near the distal end of the extension; and a linkage effecting a movement of the first clamp between a grasping configuration and a released configuration, the first clamp configured for grasping the needle in the grasping configuration and the first clamp configured to release the needle in the released configuration, the linkage comprising an elongate member movable along the axis of the extension so as to effect the movement of the first clamp, the member being laterally flexible and axially inelastic so as to accommodate the bend while transmitting the movement. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A suturing device for use with a suturing needle, the device comprising:
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a body having a proximal end and a distal end; an extension extendable along an axis distally of the body, the extension configured to define a bend in the axis; a first clamp supportable near the distal end of the extension; and a linkage effecting a movement of the first clamp between a grasping configuration and a released configuration, the first clamp configured for grasping the needle in the grasping configuration and the first clamp configured to release the needle in the released configuration, the linkage comprising an elongate member movable along the axis of the extension so as to effect the movement of the first clamp, the member being laterally flexible so as to accommodate the bend while transmitting the movement.
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24. A suturing method comprising:
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grasping a needle with a clamp; supporting the clamp with an extension, the extension having an axis with a bend in the axis; inserting the needle into a tissue region by moving a body supporting the extension so that the needle moves in correlation with the body; articulating the clamp by moving a laterally flexible member axially relative to the extension, the member being axially inelastic. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A suturing device for use with a suturing needle, the suturing device comprising:
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a rigid body having a proximal end and a distal end; a clamp extendable distally of the body; an articulatable handle near the proximal end of the body, the handle configured for manipulation by fingers of a hand while the hand engages the body near the proximal end, wherein the handle is configured for engagement by the thumb of the hand; and a linkage coupling the handle to the clamp so that manual articulation of the handle by the fingers effects opening and closing of the clamp to grasp and release the needle.
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Specification