Suturing device and method

• US 7,090,686 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2003
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scarab Technology Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sutura Incorporated
• Inventors: Decker, Steven E., Nobles, Anthony A., Brosch, Benjamin G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US10/435,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20040006352A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/144, 661/47
• US Class Current: 606/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0057 Implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel puncture or closing a cardiac septal defect sutures A61B17/04; closing rectum or urethra near body surface A61F2/0009
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0491 Sewing machines for surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• 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 2017/00637 for sealing trocar wounds through abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00659 located only on one side of the opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00663 the implement being a suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00672 Locating means therefor, e.g. bleed back lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0472 Multiple-needled, e.g. double-needled, instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06042 located close to needle tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2911 rings

Abstract

A suturing device and method allows a physician to remotely suture biological tissue. The device includes an elongate body, first and second arms operably connected to the elongated body, whereby each arm mounts an end portion of a suture, and first and second needles, each needle having a distal end and being mounted such that the distal end of the needle is movable to engage respective end portions of said suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an actuator which drives the needles to engage the suture non-simultaneously.

Claims

1. A method of passing a suture comprised of suture material through tissue, said method comprising:

penetrating a first surface of a portion of tissue with a needle;

advancing the needle through a second surface of the portion of tissue;

circumferentially surrounding a distal end portion of the needle with suture materials at an end portion of the suture, such that the end portion of the suture is engaged by the needle, said circumferentially surrounding comprising advancing the needle into an opening formed by suture material at the end portion of the suture; and

drawing a length of suture through the second surface and the first surface of the portion of tissue by withdrawing the needle from the portion of tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening formed by the suture material has a diameter which is approximately the same as a diameter of the needle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the opening is smaller than a diameter of the needle, such that the needle has an interference fit within the opening.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising;

penetrating a first surface of a second portion of tissue with a second needle;

advancing the second needle through a second surface of the second portion of tissue;

circumferentially surrounding a distal end portion of the second needle with suture material at a second end portion of the suture, such that the second end portion of the suture is engaged by the second needle, said circumferentially surrounding comprising advancing the second needle into an opening formed by suture material at the second end portion of the suture; and

drawing a second length of suture through the second surface and the first surface of the second portion of tissue by withdrawing the second needle from the second portion of tissue.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

disengaging the end portions of the suture from the first and second needles respectively; and

securing the first and second lengths of suture proximal to the first and second portions of tissue.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the act of securing the first and second lengths of suture comprises tying a knot.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the act of securing the first and second lengths of suture comprises fastening a clip of the first and second lengths suture proximal to the first and second portions of tissue.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the act of securing the first and second lengths of suture comprises bonding the first and second lengths suture proximal to the first and second portions of tissue.

9. The method of claim 4, further comprising securing a patch over the first and second portions of tissue to occlude a space between the first and second portions of tissue.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising bending an elongated member to position the needle proximate to the first surface of the portion of tissue, the elongated member being adapted to support the needle.

12. The method of claim 10, comprising drawing the suture through a patch prior to said inserting.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said opening in said living being is a body lumen.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said opening in said living being is a body cavity.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said opening in said living being is an incision.

11. A method of suturing, comprising:

inserting a distal end portion of an elongated body into an opening in a living being;

positioning said distal end portion in a first location adjacent a first tissue portion;

deploying a first needle within said elongated body so as to draw a first end of a suture through said first tissue portion;

moving said distal end portion to a second location displaced from said first location and positioning said distal end portion adjacent a second tissue portion;

deploying a second needle within said elongate body so as to draw a second end of said suture through said second tissue portion; and

pulling the ends of the suture.