Device for the stitching of laparoscopic incisions and methods thereof

A device (300) for suturing and closing of laparoscopic incisions, comprising:

• a. a central stem (30, 43) having:
• i. An outer hollow shaft (31) with a distal end (31a) and a proximal end (31b);
• and
• ii. an inner shaft (32) with a distal end (32a) and a proximal end (32b) said inner shaft slidably accommodated within said outer hollow shaft (31);
• b. a plurality of ribs (34) each comprising
• i. an upper rib member (34a);
• ii. a lower rib member (34b) hingedly connected to said upper rib member by a locking joint (54), said lower rib member comprising a suture needle holder (36) at a free end;
• and
• iii. a middle rib member (53) connected to said upper rib member (34a) by a first hinge and connected to said lower rib member (34b) by a second hinge, said second hinge includes a locking mechanism (54) configured to secure, for each of said plurality of ribs (34), relative positions of said upper rib member (34a), middle rib member (53), lower rib member (34b) and hinges during use;
• c. a cap (33), mounted upon distal end of said inner shaft, said cap comprising a fifth hinge connected to said upper rib member (34a);
• d. a plurality of rigid stretchers (35), each of said plurality of rigid stretchers (35) interconnected by a third hinge to the distal end of said outer shaft (31a) and by a fourth hinge to said upper rib member (34a);
• said outer shaft configured to slide along the inner shaft and urge said rigid stretchers to extend from a closed configuration with rib, stretcher and shaft in substantially parallel contact, to an open configuration defined by an angle subtended between said inner shaft (32) and said rigid stretchers (35)
• wherein said middle rib member (53) enables movement and pivoting of said suture needle holder (36), about a hinge axis connecting said middle rib member (53) and the lower rib member (34b).