# US 10,945,722 B2 · Endoscopic stitching devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,945,722 B2 - Document ID: US10945722B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/211,398 - Filed: 2018-12-06 - Published: 2019-04-11 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-13 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Ramiro Cabrera; Thomas Wingardner; David N. Fowler; Brian J. Creston; Dmitri Menn; Paul D. Richard; Gene Stellon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945722B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/0469: {Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery} - A61B 1/00087: {Tools (A61B17/00234 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/0491: {Sewing machines for surgery} - A61B 17/06166: {Sutures (suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M)} - A61B 17/0625: {the needle being specially adapted to interact with the manipulator, e.g. being ridged to snap fit in a hole of the manipulator (A61B17/06109 takes precedence)} - A61B 34/71: {Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms} - A61B 1/0055: {Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements} - A61B 17/062: Needle manipulators - A61B 2017/003: {Steerable} - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/06047: {located at the middle of the needle} - A61B 2017/0608: {J-shaped} - A61B 2017/0609: {having sharp tips at both ends, e.g. shuttle needle alternately retained and released by first and second facing jaws of a suturing instrument} - A61B 2017/06176: {with protrusions, e.g. barbs} - A61B 2017/2905: {flexible} - A61B 2017/2912: {transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston} - A61B 2017/2929: {with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching through an access tube or the like. An endoscopic stitching device is provided and includes a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another. Each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An endoscopic stitching device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft, the end effector including a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another, wherein each jaw of the pair of juxtaposed jaws defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof, wherein the neck assembly includes: a plurality of links in pivotable contact with one another, wherein each link of the plurality of links includes: a knuckle formed on a first side thereof; and a clevis formed on a second side thereof, wherein the knuckle of a first link of the plurality of links is operatively connected to the clevis of an adjacent link; and at least one stiffener plate extending through at least a pair of the plurality of operatively connected links, wherein the at least one stiffener plate includes proximal and distal ends, wherein of the proximal and distal ends of the at least one stiffener plate only the distal end is axially fixed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of juxtaposed jaws is rotatably supported on the end effector for selective rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof when the end effector is in the substantially linear configuration and in the off-axis configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 1, wherein the knuckles and clevises are configured to enable articulation of the neck assembly in a single plane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 1, wherein the knuckles and clevises are configured to at least partially overlap one another when the neck assembly is in one of the substantially linear configuration or the off-axis configuration. ### Claim 5 An endoscopic stitching device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft, the end effector including a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another; and a stiffener plate disposed in the neck assembly and axially extending therein, wherein the stiffener plate inhibits canting of the end effector in a direction orthogonal to the one direction of articulation of the end effector, wherein the stiffener plate includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein of the proximal and distal ends of the stiffener plate only the distal end of the stiffener plate is axially fixed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 5, wherein the stiffener plate defines a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of articulation of the end effector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 6, wherein the stiffener plate is substantially flat and is bendable in a first direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 6, wherein the end effector is articulatable in a direction out of the plane defined by the stiffener plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 6, wherein the stiffener plate restricts articulation of the end effector in the plane defined by the stiffener plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 6, wherein the distal end of the stiffener plate includes an anchor portion secured to the neck assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 10, wherein the anchor portion is bifurcated and includes at least a pair of spaced apart tines. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 6, wherein the neck assembly further includes a plurality of links in pivotable contact with one another, wherein each link defines a stiffener plate receiving slot for receiving the stiffener plate therethrough. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 12, wherein the stiffener plate extends through the stiffener plate receiving slot of at least one of the plurality of links. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 12, wherein the stiffener plate extends through the stiffener plate receiving slots of the entire plurality of links. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 6, wherein the stiffener plate is made of resilient material. ### Claim 16 An endoscopic stitching device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft, the end effector including: a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration; and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another; and a pair of spaced apart stiffener plates disposed in the neck assembly and axially extending therein, wherein each of the pair of spaced apart stiffener plates defines a plane and includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein of the proximal and distal ends of the respective spaced apart stiffener plates only the distal ends of the respective spaced apart stiffener plates are axially fixed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 16, wherein the pair of spaced apart stiffener plates are substantially parallel with one another. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 17, wherein the plane defined by each of the pair of spaced apart stiffener plates is substantially orthogonal to the one direction of articulation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 18, wherein each stiffener plate of the pair of spaced apart stiffener plates is substantially flat and is bendable in one direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 16, wherein the end effector is articulatable in a direction out of the plane defined by a respective one of the pair of spaced apart stiffener plates.