Device for closing a tissue opening

A device for closing a tissue opening in a tissue with at least one suture, the tissue extending at least partially around a body cavity and comprising at least first and second tissue layers, the second tissue layer extending between the first tissue layer and the body cavity, the device comprising:

• an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and extending along a longitudinal axis, the elongate shaft configured to be inserted into the tissue opening in the tissue, the elongate shaft comprising a plurality of needle guides, each needle guide having an exit opening at its distal end;
• a support structure at the distal end of the elongate shaft configured to move between a first, contracted configuration and a second, expanded configuration the support structure being configured to be expanded in the body cavity;
• at least one first needle and at least one second needle;
• at least one first connector and at least one second connector coupled to the support structure, the first connector being configured to couple with the first needle;
• at least one first suture, thread or wire that is coupled to the first and second connectors, wherein a length of the first suture, thread or wire is stored in a lumen, a cavity or a cartridge of the device, and wherein the length of the first suture, thread or wire stored in the lumen, cavity or cartridge of the device is at least 60 mm;
• wherein each of the needles is configured to be translated along a respective one of the needle guides, the first needle being configured to be advanced out of the exit opening of the respective needle guide and to penetrate through the second tissue layer along a first trajectory, the first trajectory extending from the exit opening through the second tissue layer obliquely to the longitudinal axis to the first connector, and the second needle being configured to be advanced out of the exit opening of the respective needle guide and to penetrate through the second tissue layer along a second trajectory, the second trajectory extending from the exit opening through the second tissue layer obliquely to the longitudinal axis to the second connector;
• and
• at least one expandable pushing member configured to push the first tissue layer out of the first and second trajectories, the pushing member being configured to move between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the first and second trajectories are partially in a cavity created between the pushing member and the elongate shaft.