US 10,092,286 B2 · Suturing loading unit

Abstract

A suturing end effector includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a helical needle. The first and second jaw members are moveable relative to one another between open and closed configurations. Each of the first and second jaw members defines a first row of wells that define a helical path when the first and second jaw members are in the closed configuration. The helical needle is rotatable through the helical path between retracted and extended positions. The helical needle is configured to draw a suture through tissue between the first and second jaw members when the helical needle is rotatably advanced through the helical path and configured to be independently moveable relative to the suture when retracted from the advanced position to the retracted position.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A suturing end effector comprising:

first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another between an open configuration and a closed configuration, each of the first and second jaw members defining a first row of wells, the first row of wells of the first and second jaws members defining a helical path when the first and second jaw members are in the closed configuration;
and
a helical needle rotatable through the helical path from a retracted position to an advanced position to draw a suture through tissue between the first and second jaw members, the helical needle being configured to be moveable from the advanced position to the retracted position independently of the suture.

A suturing loading unit comprising:

a housing including:
a proximal portion;
an elongated portion extending distally from the proximal portion;
and
a drive mechanism;
an end effector supported at a distal end of the elongated portion of the housing, the end effector including first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another between an open configuration and a closed configuration, each of the first and second jaw members defining a first row of wells, the first row of wells of the first and second jaws members defining a helical path when the first and second jaws members are in the closed configuration;
and
a first helical needle coupled to the drive mechanism, the first helical needle configured to rotate in response to actuation of the drive mechanism, the first helical needle configured to rotate through the helical path between a retracted position and an advanced position to draw a suture through tissue between the first and second jaw members, the helical needle being configured to be moveable from the advanced position to the retracted position independently of the suture.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/150,618Filed 10 May 2016 · us provisional application

Priority

27 May 2015

Published

US 2016/0345962 A11 Dec 2016

Granted

9 Oct 2018

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A61B 17/0469
For suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g.…
A61B 17/06
For suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: needles ; Sutures; Needle-suture combinations; Holders or packages for…
A61B 17/0482
For suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: needle or suture guides
A61B 2017/00353
For minimally invasive surgery: one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping

Suturing loading unit

Life of this patent

Suturing loading unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20