Device for inserting a surgical suture needle into an endoscopic suture apparatus

• US 6,126,666 A
• Filed: 08/23/1999
• Issued: 10/03/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe Gmbh
• Original Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe Gmbh
• Inventors: Trapp, Rainer, Wurster, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US09/379,370
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/144, 206/63.3, 206/339, 206/340, 206/341, 221/191
• 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 17/06114 Packages or dispensers for needles or sutures packages for sharps A61B50/3001; for dental floss A61C15/043; packages for needles in general B65D85/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0479 Packages or dispensers for MIS suturing instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0609 having sharp tips at both ends, e.g. shuttle needle alternately retained and released by first and second facing jaws of a suturing instrument MIS suturing instruments A61B17/0469; jaws of MIS forceps A61B2017/2926

Abstract

In a device for inserting a surgical suture needle into an endoscopic suture apparatus wherein the device includes two legs which are movable relative to each other, one of the legs has a front end with means for receiving a jaw of an endoscopic suturing apparatus and the other leg has needle engagement means for holding a surgical needle in a predetermined position such that one needle tip enters a needle support of the surgical suturing apparatus jaw when the other leg holding the needle is moved toward the one leg while the one leg is disposed on the surgical suturing apparatus jaw.

Claims

1. A device for inserting a surgical suture needle into an endoscopic suture apparatus having jaws with needle supports in which a surgical suturing needle is retained, said device comprising:

two legs supported so as to be movable relative to each other, one of said legs having a pin projecting therefrom toward the other leg and the other leg having, an opening receiving said pin so as to provide guidance for the movement of said two legs relative to each other, one of said legs further having a front end including means for receiving a jaw of an endoscopic suturing apparatus, and the other leg having needle engagement means for holding said surgical needle in a predetermined position such that one needle tip enters said needle support in said surgical suturing apparatus jaw when said other leg holding said needle is moved toward said one leg, when said one leg is slipped onto said surgical suturing apparatus jaw.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said other leg having said needle engagement means also includes means for mounting a thread packaging onto said other leg.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said needle engagement means includes two flexible spring-like tongues defining therebetween a cavity adapted in shape to said suturing needle for receiving and engaging said suturing needle.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein one of said legs includes a stop structure for limiting movement of said legs toward each other and said pin has a serrated side wall and said guide bore has an edge in contact with said serrated side wall for holding said pin and legs in a given position relative to each other.

5. A device according to claim 2, wherein said other leg includes a slot for receiving lips of said packaging, said slot having side walls with thimbles projecting from opposite sides into said slot for engaging said lips and retaining said packaging on said other legs.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said one leg includes a knub projecting therefrom and being received in a recess of said jaw when said one leg is slipped onto, and properly positioned on, said jaw.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein, with a suturing apparatus having a stationary and a movable jaw, said one leg is adapted to be slipped onto said stationary jaw.

8. A device according to claim 5, wherein said thread is attached to said needle and is pulled from said packaging when, after installation of said needle in said suturing apparatus, said needle insertion device is removed from said suturing apparatus.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said two legs are pivotally joined by a flexible web.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said surgical needle insertion device is a plastic structure made by injection molding.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein said surgical needle insertion device consists of cardboard material.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said other leg holding said needle is guided by at least one column curved along a circular line having a center of curvature coinciding with the pivot point of the jaws of said surgical suturing apparatus when said one leg is mounted onto one of said jaws.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein said other leg holding said needle is guided by at least one column extending from said one leg along a secant of a circle having a center point coinciding with the pivot point of the jaws of said surgical suturing apparatus when the other leg is mounted onto one of said jaws.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein said other leg holding said needle is guided by at least one column which extends normally from said one leg and which guides said other leg such that a needle held by said other leg is moved into said needle support when said one leg is slipped onto one of said jaws and said other leg is moved toward said one leg as guided by said column.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein said other leg holding said needle is guided by at least one column extending from said one leg and guiding said other leg such that a needle held by said other leg is moved into said needle support when said one leg is slipped onto one of said jaws of said suturing apparatus and said other leg is moved toward said one leg guided by said at least one column, said at least one column including a serrated side wall, and said other leg having a latch engaging said serrated side wall for holding said other leg in position relative to said one leg.