Method for using a needle holder to assist in suturing

• US 5,897,563 A
• Filed: 10/08/1997
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inbae Yoon
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Swayze, Jeffrey S., Knodel, Bryan, Nobis, Rudolph H., Stefanchik, David, Yoon, InBae, Brinkerhoff, Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US08/947,115
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 606/147, 606/145, 606/144, 606/139, 606/148
• US Class Current: 606/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0491 Sewing machines for surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/062 Needle manipulators

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for suturing tissue using a needle holder device, The device includes a handle for holding it, the handle has distal and proximal ends. The device also has right and left arms extending distally from the handle. The arms of the device have proximal ends attached to the handle and distal ends having grippers attached thereto for gripping and releasing a needle. The device includes at least one mechanism for moving the distal ends of the arms closely adjacent to one another and for passing the needle from one gripper to the other and thereafter for moving the distal ends of the arms further apart from one another. The right gripper is holding a needle having a suture attached thereto. The method first involves moving the distal ends of the arms apart from one another and manually inserting the needle into the tissue and back out again. Thereafter, the method involves actuating the mechanism so as to move the arms closely adjacent one another so that the left gripper holds the needle, the right gripper releases the needle. Then the method involves moving the distal ends of the arms further apart from one another. Lastly, the method involves removing the needle from the tissue.

Claims

1. A method for suturing tissue, said method comprising:

a) providing a device comprising a handle for holding said device, said handle having distal and proximal ends, right and left arms extending distally from said handle, said arms having proximal ends attached to said handle and distal ends having grippers attached thereto for gripping and releasing a needle, and at least one mechanism for moving said distal ends of said arms closely adjacent to one another, by rotating at least one of said arms, and for passing said needle from one gripper to the other and thereafter for moving said distal ends of said arms further apart from one another, by rotating at least one of said arms, said right gripper holding a needle having a suture attached thereto;

b) manually placing a distal end of said needle through said tissue;

c) rotating at least one of said arms by actuating said at least one mechanism so as to move said arms closely adjacent one another so that said left gripper holds said needle, said right gripper releases said needle, and moving said distal ends of said arms further apart from one another; and

d) removing said needle from said tissue.

2. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of moving said distal ends of said arms apart from one another prior to step (b).

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein steps (b through (d) are repeated a plurality of times.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (d) is done manually.