METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CONTINUOUS SUTURE PASSING
First Claim
1. A suture shuttle for use with a suture passer that releasably couples to the outside of a tissue penetrator of the suture passer, the suture shuttle comprising:
- a shuttle body configured to releasably secure over the outside of a tissue penetrator so that the tip of the tissue penetrator extends beyond the shuttle body when the suture shuttle is releasably secured to the tissue penetrator; and
a suture attachment region configured to secure a suture to the suture shuttle.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Suture passers for suturing tissue in a continuous manner by passing a suture attached to a suture shuttle through. A suture passer may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tissue penetrator that is retractable and extendable from the first jaw. The tissue penetrator may have a suture shuttle engagement region, and the second jaw may include a shuttle dock. The suture shuttle may be transferred between the first and second jaws as the tissue penetrator is extended from the first jaw and engages the second jaw. In some variations of the tissue passer, one or both jaws are tissue penetrating. In some variations, the jaws open in parallel, allowing large tissue regions to be positioned between the jaws. Methods of using these devices are also described, as are systems and kits including these devices.
143 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A suture shuttle for use with a suture passer that releasably couples to the outside of a tissue penetrator of the suture passer, the suture shuttle comprising:
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a shuttle body configured to releasably secure over the outside of a tissue penetrator so that the tip of the tissue penetrator extends beyond the shuttle body when the suture shuttle is releasably secured to the tissue penetrator; and a suture attachment region configured to secure a suture to the suture shuttle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A suture shuttle for use with a suture passer that releasably couples to the outside of a tissue penetrator of the suture passer, the suture shuttle comprising:
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a shuttle body configured to snap-fit over the outside of a curved tissue penetrator so that the tip of the tissue penetrator extends beyond the shuttle body when the suture shuttle is releasably secured to a recessed shuttle engagement region proximal to the distal tip of the tissue penetrator; and a suture attachment region comprising a loop extending from the shuttle body and configured to secure a suture to the suture shuttle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of passing a suture through tissue using a suture shuttle that releasably couples to the outside of a tissue penetrator of a suture passer, the method comprising releasably clamping a shuttle body of a suture shuttle over the outside of a tissue penetrator by passing the tip of the tissue penetrator though and beyond the shuttle body to engage the shuttle body in a shuttle engagement region on a side of the tissue penetrator proximal to the distal tip;
- wherein the suture shuttle includes a suture attachment region extending from the shuttle body and configured to secure a suture to the suture shuttle.
- View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
Specification