LOW PROFILE MEDICAL DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS OF USE

• US 20140194905A1
• Filed: 01/07/2014
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: KAPPEL, Gary, MAY, Norman, MELANSON, Doug
• Granted Patent: US 9,510,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0483 Hand-held instruments for holding sutures A61B17/0469 takes precedence; other holders for needles or sutures A61B17/06061; surgical forceps A61B17/28; surgical pincettes A61B17/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/062 Needle manipulators
• 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 2017/2937 with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable

Abstract

A medical device including an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The medical device may further include an end-effector disposed at the distal end of the elongate member, the end-effector may include a first arm, the first arm may have a distal end, a proximal end, and an opening configured to receive a needle therein. The medical device may also include a second arm movably connected to the first arm and configured to alternate between a closed position and an open position relative to the first arm, wherein the second arm is movably connected to the first arm at a pivot point disposed at a location closer to the distal end of the second arm than the proximal end of the second arm.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising:

an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween;

an end-effector disposed at the distal end of the elongate member, the end-effector including a first arm, the first arm having a distal end, a proximal end, and an opening configured to receive a needle therein; and

a second arm movably connected to the first arm and configured to alternate between a closed position and an open position relative to the first arm, wherein the second arm is movably connected to the first arm at a pivot point disposed at a location closer to the distal end of the second arm than the proximal end of the second arm.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first arm defines a mounting area, and, when in the closed position, a substantial entirety of the second arm is configured to be received within the mounting area.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the second arm is configured to substantially close the opening in the first arm when the second arm is in the closed position.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the second arm includes a grasping portion that cooperates with the opening of the first arm in the closed position.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes a longitudinal slot defined therein.

6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein, in the closed position, a portion of the second arm is configured to extend through the longitudinal slot.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein a portion of a periphery of the opening includes an elastomeric cover.

8. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising an actuation member operably secured to a proximal end of the first arm.

9. The medical device of claim 1, wherein a width of the first arm is larger than a width of the second arm.

10. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the actuation member is a pull wire slidably disposed on a roller sleeve bearing, and wherein an elastic member is operably coupled to the actuation member to prevent buckling of the pull wire.

11. A driver comprising:

an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween;

an end-effector disposed at the distal end of the elongate member, the end-effector including a first arm, the first arm having a distal end, a proximal end, and an opening configured to receive a needle therein; and

a second arm pivotably connected to the first arm, the second arm configured to alternate between a closed position and an open position relative to the first arm, wherein in the closed position, a substantial entirety of the second arm is configured to be received within a mounting area defined by the first arm.

12. The driver of claim 11, wherein a distal end of the second arm is configured to substantially close the opening in the first arm when the second arm is in the closed position.

13. The driver of claim 11, wherein the second arm includes a grasping portion that complements the opening of the first arm in the closed position.

14. The driver of claim 11, wherein the first arm includes a first longitudinal slot defined therein.

15. The driver of claim 11, wherein, in the closed position, a portion of the second arm is configured to extend through the first longitudinal slot.

16. The driver of claim 11, wherein a portion of a periphery of the opening includes an elastomeric cover.

17. The driver of claim 11, wherein one of a length and a width of the first arm is greater than a respective length and width of the second arm.

18. The driver of claim 11, further comprising an actuation member operably coupled to a proximal end of the first arm, wherein the actuation member is slidably disposed on a roller sleeve bearing.

19. The driver of claim 14, further comprising a second longitudinal slot defined by the first arm, wherein the second longitudinal slot is disposed opposite the first longitudinal slot.

20. An end-effector connected to a distal end of an elongate member, the elongate member having a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the end effector comprising:

a first arm having a distal end, a proximal end, and an opening configured to receive one of a needle and a suture, wherein the first arm includes a longitudinal slot defined therein;

a second arm movably coupled to the first arm and configured to alternate between a closed position and an open position relative to the first arm, wherein a width of the second arm is smaller than a width of the first arm;

a grasping portion disposed on the second arm that cooperates with the opening of the first arm in the closed position to retain the one of a needle and a suture; and

a pull cable extending between a proximal end of the second arm and the proximal end of the elongate member, wherein the first arm defines a mounting area, and, when in the closed position, a substantial entirety of the second arm is configured to be received within the mounting area and a portion of the second arm is configured to extend through the slot.