Apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing
First Claim
1. A suturing device comprising a suturing head, the suturing head comprising:
- a) a needle track housing portion including a needle disposed in a needle track, the needle track being adapted and configured to guide the needle along a curved path about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the suturing head, the needle having;
i) a curved body, the curved body covering an arc greater than about 180°
; and
ii) an engagement surface for driving the needle; and
b) a drive housing portion containing a drive, wherein the drive includes an elongate flexible member, at least a portion of the elongate flexible member being adapted and configured to reciprocate along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the elongate flexible member being further adapted and configured to engage the engagement surface of the needle and advance the needle through a circular arc as the elongate flexible member is advanced along the longitudinal axis in a proximal direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A suturing device comprising a suturing head, the suturing head comprising:
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a) a needle track housing portion including a needle disposed in a needle track, the needle track being adapted and configured to guide the needle along a curved path about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the suturing head, the needle having; i) a curved body, the curved body covering an arc greater than about 180°
; andii) an engagement surface for driving the needle; and b) a drive housing portion containing a drive, wherein the drive includes an elongate flexible member, at least a portion of the elongate flexible member being adapted and configured to reciprocate along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the elongate flexible member being further adapted and configured to engage the engagement surface of the needle and advance the needle through a circular arc as the elongate flexible member is advanced along the longitudinal axis in a proximal direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification