Surgical suturing apparatus with needle position indicator

• US 20060282092A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• 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., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Stokes, Michael J., Plescia, David N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,887,554 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/144
• 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 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• 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 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00469 for insertion of instruments, e.g. guide wire, optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 : Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00561 : creating a vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0479 : Packages or dispensers for MIS suturing instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 : for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06076 : helically or spirally coiled for sutures A61B2017/06171
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0608 : J-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06185 : hollow or tubular hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 : holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/374 : NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 : using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 : Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 : Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, and mechanism for determining the position of at least one of the distal end of the needle and the proximal end of the needle at all points along the arcuate path about which the needle moves.

Claims

1. A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising:

a suture housing;

a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path;

a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and

means for determining the position of at least one of the distal end of the needle and the proximal end of the needle at all points along the arcuate path about which the needle moves.

2. The suturing apparatus according to claim 1, means for interfering with movement of the needle along the arcuate path about which the needle moves.

3. The suturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive assembly moves the needle about a continuous circular path.

4. The suturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suture housing is shaped and dimensioned for insertion through a natural orifice of a patient.

5. The suturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the suture housing is shaped and dimensioned for passage through an orifice from approximately 3 mm to approximately 24 mm in diameter.

6. The suturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suture housing is shaped and dimensioned for laparoscopic insertion through a trocar.

7. The suturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the suture housing is shaped and dimensioned for passage through an orifice from approximately 3 mm to approximately 18 mm in diameter.

8. The suturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining includes a spring ball lock shaped and dimensioned to provide a physical indication of the needle position.

9. The suturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the spring ball lock includes a spring biased ball bearing mounted within the suture housing for engagement with the needle.

11. The suturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining includes a spring ratchet pawl lock.

12. The suturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the spring ratchet pawl lock is secured to the suture housing along a forward end of the needle path.

13. The suturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the needle is provided with recess for engagement with the spring ratchet pawl lock.

14. The suturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining includes a pop-out indicator pin.

15. The suturing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the indicator pin is shaped and dimensioned to pop out the side of the suture housing when the needle is in its advanced position.

16. The suturing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the indicator pin is spring biased to a hidden position and includes a first end and a second end, the first end is positioned for contact with the needle as it moves along the arcuate path, while the second end is positioned viewing as the indicator pin is moved to an exposed position.

17. The suturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining includes coloring on a tip of the needle.

18. The suturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining includes a plurality of lights calibrated with needle position via electrical sensors.

10. The suturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the needle is provided with recess for engagement with the spring ball lock.

19. A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising:

a suture housing;

a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path;

a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and

means for determining the position of a predetermined point on the needle relative to the needle'"'"'s path of travel when the predetermined point not visually detectable.