SLIDING SUTURE GRASPER

• US 20150157317A1
• Filed: 12/09/2014
• Published: 06/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teleflex Medical Incorporated (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Teleflex Medical Incorporated (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Inventors: LABARBERA, BRAD, BAGAOISAN, CELSO, PAI, SURESH
• Granted Patent: US 9,492,163 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• 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 17/0485 Devices or means, e.g. loops, for capturing the suture thread and threading it through an opening of a suturing instrument or needle eyelet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3474 Insufflating needles, e.g. Veress needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00349 Needle-like instruments having hook or barb-like gripping means, e.g. for grasping suture or tissue A61B17/06066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/061 hollow or tubular
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/036 abutting on tissue or skin

Abstract

A device to assist in securing a holding a portion of a suture during an intra-abdominal suturing procedure, the device including an elongated tubular body, a handle, an inner member element, and a push button. The inner member element may include at least one grasping element that expands as the at least one grasping element is extended beyond a distal end of the elongated tubular. The device may include a proximal spring disposed within the push button and abutting against a proximal end of the inner member element to allow the at least one grasping element to retract into the elongated tubular body in a proximal direction.

Claims

1. A suture grasper for securing and holding a portion of a suture, the suture grasper comprising:

an elongated tubular body defining an inner lumen, the elongated tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the elongated tubular element;

an inner member element slidably disposed within the lumen of the elongated tubular body, the inner member element having a proximal end configured to slidably extend from and retract into the handle; and

a push button extending from a proximal end of the handle, the push button being coupled to the inner member element for actuation or movement of the inner member element in a distal direction or a proximal direction,

wherein the distal end of the elongated tubular body includes a sharp tip capable of crossing or penetrating tissue, and

wherein a distal end of the inner member element includes at least one grasping element.

2. The suture grasper of claim 1, wherein the at least one grasping element includes at least two expandable arms.

3. The suture grasper of claim 2, wherein the at least two expandable arms expand as the at least one grasping element is extended beyond the distal end of the elongated tubular body.

4. The suture grasper of claim 1, further comprising a proximal spring disposed within the push button, the proximal spring abutting against the proximal end of the inner member element, to bias the inner member element distally.

5. The suture grasper of claim 4, further comprising a distal spring within the handle for biasing the push button and the inner member element in the proximal direction.

6. The suture grasper of claim 5, wherein the push button includes a detent end, and the distal spring biases the detent end to rest against an inner proximal wall of the handle when the push button is in a released position.

7. The suture grasper of claim 6, wherein the detent end of the push button compresses the distal spring when the push button is depressed, and compression of the distal spring transfers force to actuate the inner member element in the distal direction.

8. The suture grasper of claim 7, wherein the at least one grasping element includes at least two expandable arms, and

wherein the at least two expandable arms expand as the at least one grasping element is extended beyond the distal end of the elongated tubular body.

9. The suture grasper of claim 4, further comprising an intermediate spring for biasing the push button and the inner member element in the proximal direction.

10. The suture grasper of claim 9, wherein a distal end of the push button compresses the intermediate spring when the push button is depressed, and compression of the intermediate spring transfers force to actuate the inner member element in the distal direction.

11. The suture grasper of claim 10, further comprising a distal spring disposed between a distal end of the handle and a flanged proximal end of the elongated tubular body,

wherein the push button includes a distal end for contacting the flanged proximal end.

12. The suture grasper of claim 11, wherein actuation of the push button in the distal direction beyond a predetermined point after compression of the intermediate spring causes the distal end of the push button to compress the distal spring via the flanged proximal end, and the flanged proximal end transfers force to actuate the tubular body distally relative to the inner member element, to actuate and close the at least one grasping element.

13. The suture grasper of claim 12, wherein the at least one grasping element includes at least two expandable arms, and

wherein the at least two expandable arms expand as the at least one grasping element is extended beyond the distal end of the elongated tubular body.

14. The suture grasper of claim 12, wherein the proximal end of the inner member element includes a side post, and

wherein the handle includes a stop element, the stop limiting travel of the elongated tubular body in the proximal direction via abutment with the flanged proximal end, and the stop element limiting travel of the inner member element in the distal direction via abutment with the side post.

15. The suture grasper of claim 12, wherein the handle includes an inner proximal wall, the inner proximal wall limiting travel of the inner member element in the proximal direction via abutment with the side post.