SUTURE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLOSING A PLANAR OPENING

• US 20110270277A1
• Filed: 11/03/2010
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Original Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Inventors: Jacobsen, Stephen C., Smith, Fraser M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,828,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0058 using shape-memory elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3137 for examination of the interior of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00575 for closure at remote site, e.g. closing atrial septum defects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00623 Introducing or retrieving devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00663 the implement being a suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00668 the implement being a tack or a staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06095 pliable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 having at least three legs as part of one single body

Abstract

A micro-camera guided suturing device is disclosed comprising an elongate suture body having at least one lumen disposed therein and an imaging structure disposed within the at least one lumen of the suture. The imaging structure comprises a SSID optically coupled to a lens system. In one aspect, the suturing device further comprises a conductive element detachably coupled to the suture. In yet another aspect, the suture body comprises a shape memory material.

Claims

1. A micro-camera guided suturing device, comprising:

a suture comprising an elongate suture body and having at least one lumen terminally disposed therein; and

an imaging structure disposed within the at least one lumen of the suture, the imaging structure comprising a SSID optically coupled to a lens system and configured to image tissue being penetrated by the suture body.

2. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 1, further comprising a conductive element detachably coupled to the suture.

3. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 2, wherein the conductive element is adapted to heat the suture to a predetermined temperature.

4. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 1, wherein the suture comprises a shape memory material.

5. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 3, wherein the shape memory material consists of copper-zinc-aluminum-nickel, copper-aluminum-nickel, or nickel-titanium alloys.

6. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the lens system is disposed near a distal end of the suture.

7. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material comprises a shape memory polymer.

8. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 7, wherein the shape memory polymer is bioabsorbable.

9. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one lumen extends longitudinally through approximately the entire suture.

10. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one lumen extends longitudinally through a portion of the suture.

11. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 1, wherein the image plane of the imaging structure is approximately collinear with a distal end of the suture.

12. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 1, comprising at least two imaging structures disposed at the distal end of the suturing device.

13. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 1, further comprising an umbilical housing at least one tool selected from the group comprising light source, temperature sensors, force sensors, fluid irrigation or aspiration members, pressure sensors, fiber optics, microforceps, material retrieval tools, drug delivery devices, radiation emitting devices, laser diodes, electric cauterizers, and electric stimulators.

14. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sutures disposed at the distal end of the suturing device.

15. A micro-camera guided suturing device comprising:

an elongate tubular member configured for placement within a patient;

a suture comprising an elongate suture body and having at least one lumen terminally disposed within the elongate tubular member;

an imaging structure disposed within the at least one lumen of the suture, the imaging structure comprising a SSID optically coupled to a lens system and configured to image tissue being penetrated by the suture body.

16. A micro-camera guided suturing device, comprising

a steerable micro-catheter;

a deformable suture detachably coupled to the steerable micro-catheter; and

a micro-camera disposed on a distal end of the steerable micro-catheter, said microcamera comprising a SSID and a lens system optically coupled to the SSID, wherein a distal end of the lens system is disposed near a distal end of the deformable suture.

17. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 16, further comprising a restraining device disposed about the suture maintaining the suture in a closed position.

18. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 16, wherein the suture is biased in an open position.

19. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 16, wherein a distal end of the lens system is disposed within a cavity of the suture.

20. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 16, wherein the suture and the micro-catheter are detachably coupled to one another along a side surface of the suture and a side surface of the micro-catheter.

21. The micro-camera guided suturing device of claim 16, wherein the suture comprises a claw having at least two prongs.

22. A method of placing suture within a patient, comprising:

providing a suture disposed within a catheter, the suture comprising a shape memory material having at least one lumen disposed therein and an imaging structure disposed within the at least one lumen of the suture, the imaging structuring comprising a SSID optically coupled to a lens system;

advancing a distal end of the catheter into a portion of a patient;

viewing a portion of the interior of the patient with the imaging structure; and

emplacing the suture within a portion of the patient.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the suture further comprises a conductive element detachably coupled to the suture.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of conducting electrical energy to the suture through the conductive element to heat the suture.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of removing the imaging from the suture.

26. A method of placing suture within a patient, comprising:

providing a suture disposed on a distal end of a catheter, the suture comprising a deformable material and an imaging structure detachably coupled to the suture, the imaging structuring comprising a SSID optically coupled to a lens system;

advancing a distal end of the catheter into a portion of a patient;

viewing a portion of the interior of the patient with the imaging structure; and

emplacing the suture within a portion of the patient while viewing emplacement of the suture with the imaging structure.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising viewing emplacement of the suture with a second imaging structure, said second imaging structure being disposed on a distal end of the catheter.