Endoscopic suturing device

• US 7,615,060 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ortiz, Mark S., Stokes, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Erezo; Darwin P
• Application Number:
  US11/150,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20060282089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/144, 606/145, 606/148, 606/147
• US Class Current: 606/145
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00094 Suction openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00133 Drive units for endoscopic tools inserted through or with the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0014 Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/313 for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0466 Suture bridges
• 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 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0493 Protective devices for suturing, i.e. for protecting the patient's organs or the operator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06066 Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations making needles B21G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/062 Needle manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06076 helically or spirally coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06185 hollow or tubular
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 : Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 : using optical means, e.g. infrared light

Abstract

An endoscopic apparatus for the continuous application of a suture includes a suturing body that is shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the distal end of a commercially available endoscope in a manner permitting actuation thereof. The suturing body is composed of a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle about a continuous circular path facilitating the application of a suture secured to a distal end of the needle. The drive assembly includes a rocker that moves along the suture housing under the control of a drive cable and a pin, wherein actuation of the drive cable and pin cause the rocker to selectively engage and disengage the needle causing the needle to move about a circular path in a continuous manner.

Claims

1. An endoscopic apparatus for the continuous application of a suture, comprising:

a suturing body that is shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the distal end of a commercially available endoscope in a manner permitting actuation thereof;

the suturing body is composed of a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle about a continuous circular path facilitating the application of a suture secured to a distal end of the needle, the suture housing including a first track in which the needle is positioned, a second track and a third track;

the drive assembly includes a rocker that moves along the second track of the suture housing under the control of a drive cable and a pin that moves along the third track of the suture housing, wherein actuation of the drive cable and pin cause the rocker to selectively engage and disengage the needle causing the needle to move about a circular path in a continuous manner.

2. An endoscopic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a vacuum housing surrounds the suturing body, the vacuum housing being shaped and dimensioned for coupling to a vacuum line of the endoscope.

3. An endoscopic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the needle is arcuate.

4. An endoscopic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the needle includes an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a notch formed along the exterior surface of the needle, and the rocker includes a notch shaped and dimensioned for engaging the notch along the exterior surface of the needle during actuation thereof.

5. An endoscopic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rocker is composed of an engagement member and a camming member working in conjunction with the pin to control the position of the engagement member for selective engagement with the needle.

6. An endoscopic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the camming member includes a slot in which the pin moves for causing the engagement member to move into and out of engagement with the needle.

7. An endoscopic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the rocker further includes a friction plate which aids in controlling the positioning of the engagement member.

8. An endoscopic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the engagement member is arcuate to substantially conform to the shape of the needle.

9. An endoscope for the continuous application of a suture, comprising:

an endoscope body;

a suturing body that is shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the distal end of the endoscope body in a manner permitting actuation thereof;

the suturing body is composed of a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle about a continuous circular path facilitating the application of a suture secured to a distal end of the needle, the suture housing including a first track in which the needle is mounted, a second track and a third track;

the drive assembly includes a rocker that moves along the second track of the suture housing under the control of a drive cable and a pin that moves along the third track of the suture housing, wherein actuation of the drive cable and pin cause the rocker to selectively engage and disengage the needle causing the needle to move about a circular path in a continuous manner.

10. An endoscope according to claim 9, wherein a vacuum housing surrounds the suturing body, the vacuum housing being coupled to a vacuum line of the endoscope.

11. An endoscope according to claim 9, wherein the needle is arcuate.

12. An endoscope according to claim 9, wherein the needle includes an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a s notch formed along the exterior surface of the needle, and the rocker includes a notch shaped and dimensioned for engaging the notch along the exterior surface of the needle during actuation thereof.

13. An endoscope according to claim 9, wherein the rocker is composed of an engagement member and a camming member working in conjunction with the pin to control the position of the engagement member for selective engagement with the needle.

14. An endoscope according to claim 13, wherein the camming member includes a slot in which the pin moves for causing the engagement member to move into and out of engagement with the needle.

15. An endoscope according to claim 13, wherein the rocker further includes a friction plate which aids in controlling the positioning of the engagement member.

16. An endoscope according to claim 13, wherein the engagement member is arcuate to substantially conform to the shape of the needle.