US 10,743,865 B1Granted

Apparatus for subcuticular suturing and corresponding method of use thereof

OwnerSarbjeet S. Kumarinventor

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Abstract

An apparatus capable of and a corresponding method for subcuticular suturing of an incision in a single pass is provided. The apparatus includes a straight needle, a suture thread extending from a free end of the needle, and a grip couplable to or pre-attached to the needle. The grip is used for controlling, manipulating, and advancing the needle and its sharp end through the incision. The needle is generally long enough to pierce and bind both sides of the incision together without having to pull the entire needle and any slack in the suture thread through each piercing prior to proceeding to the next piercing. The needle holds the entire incision closed presets the entire path for the suture thread prior to pulling the suture thread through the incision to hold the incision closed.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of subcuticular suturing of an incision through skin, the incision having a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, and a length defined between the first end and the second end, the method comprising:

step (a) providing a needle having a sharp distal portion and a proximal portion with a suture extending therefrom;
step (b) inserting the sharp distal portion of the needle through the skin proximate to the first end of the incision or through a first subcuticular portion of the skin proximate to the first end of the incision;
step (c) maintaining a portion of the needle in the skin proximate to the first end of the incision or in the first subcuticular portion of the skin proximate to the first end of the incision while performing the following with the needle generally aligned with the length of the incision:
step (d) piercing the first side of the incision with the sharp distal portion;
step (e) piercing the second side of the incision with the sharp distal portion;
and
step (f) pushing the sharp distal portion through the skin proximate to the second end of the incision or through a second subcuticular portion of the skin proximate to the second end of the incision;
and
step (g) closing the incision by pulling the sharp distal portion of the needle followed by the proximal portion and the suture through the incision proximate to the second end of the incision.

6 more elements

step (a) providing a needle having a sharp distal portion and a proximal portion with a suture extending therefrom;
step (b) inserting the sharp distal portion of the needle through the skin proximate to the first end of the incision or through a first subcuticular portion of the skin proximate to the first end of the incision;
step (c) maintaining a portion of the needle in the skin proximate to the first end of the incision or in the first subcuticular portion of the skin proximate to the first end of the incision while performing the following:
step (d) piercing the first side of the incision with the sharp distal portion;
step (e) piercing the second side of the incision with the sharp distal portion;
and
step (f) pushing the sharp distal portion through the skin proximate to the second end of the incision or through a second subcuticular portion of the skin proximate to the second end of the incision;
and
step (g) closing the incision by pulling the sharp distal portion of the needle followed by the proximal portion and the suture through the incision proximate to the second end of the incision, whereby the entire length of the incision is closed in a single pass of the needle.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/678,736Filed 8 Nov 2019 · continuation
Priority: 28 Nov 2018
Granted: 18 Aug 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

A61B 17/062
Needles ; Sutures; Needle-suture combinations; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: needle manipulators
A61B 17/0625
Needle manipulators: the needle being specially adapted to interact with the manipulator, e.g. being ridged to snap fit in a hole of the manipulator
A61B 17/06061
Needles ; Sutures; Needle-suture combinations; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: holders for needles or sutures, e.g. racks, stands
A61B 17/06133
Packages or dispensers for needles or sutures: of parallelepipedal shape, e.g. made of rectangular or slightly oval panels