Method for suturing with a bioabsorbable needle

• US 4,981,149 A
• Filed: 06/07/1990
• Issued: 01/01/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Inbae Yoon
• Inventors: Yoon, Samuel C., Yoon, InBae
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US07/534,495
• Time in Patent Office: 208 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898, 606/224-227
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06 Needles ; Sutures; Needle-suture combinations; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials puncturing needles A61B17/34; hypodermic needles A61M5/32 ; sewing needles D05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06004 Means for attaching suture to needle tipping A61B17/06195; connecting wire to other metallic objects B21F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06066 Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations making needles B21G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06195 Apparatus or means for preparing the cut end of the suture thread to be attached to the needle, e.g. tipping to prevent brooming A61B17/06004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0618 elastic, e.g. stretchable

Abstract

Suture devices, primarily for use in endoscopic surgery, include a suture needle made of bioabsorbable material for pulling a length of suture material through bodily tissue allowing the suture needle to be inadvertently or intentionally left in the tissue, and a suture needle having a length of suture material attached thereto with a contractible loop or passage at the proximal end of the suture material to allow the suture needle to be passed therethrough, the loop or passage contracting to clamp or grip the suture material to function similar to a conventional tied suture knot.

Claims

1. A method of suturing bodily tissue during endoscopic surgery comprising the steps of

suturing the bodily tissue with a suture needle made of bioabsorbable material and a length of suture material attached thereto;

and

leaving the suture needle in the body to be absorbed thereby.

2. A method of suturing bodily tissue as recited in claim 1 and further comprising, after said suturing step, the step of separating the suture needle from the length of suture material.