Multi-function systems, apparatus and methods for approximating, ligating and fixating soft tissue

A system for grasping, approximating and fixating soft tissue, comprising:

• a needle comprising a tissue piercing distal end configured and adapted to releasably engage a suture and pierce into and through soft tissue with said suture said releasably engaged thereto;
• and
• a multi-function jaw mechanism adapted to receive and cooperate with said needle, wherein said needle is allowed to linearly articulate with respect to said jaw mechanism,
• said multi-function jaw mechanism comprising top and bottom jaw members, said top jaw member adapted to axially articulate with respect to said bottom jaw member, whereby said multi-function jaw mechanism is adapted to transition from a fully open jaw configuration, wherein said top and bottom jaw members provide an open jaw mechanism region, to a closed jaw configuration, said open jaw mechanism region configured to receive a suture and at least first soft tissue therein,
• said multi-function jaw mechanism further adapted to transition to a partially open jaw configuration from said fully open jaw configuration and said closed jaw configuration, said partially open jaw configuration similarly configured to said receive said suture and said at least first soft tissue therein,
• said top jaw member comprising a top jaw member longitudinal axis, a top jaw member proximal end and a top jaw member distal end, said bottom jaw member comprising a bottom jaw member proximal end and a bottom jaw member distal end, said top jaw member distal end disposed proximate said bottom jaw member distal end when said multi-function jaw mechanism is in said closed jaw configuration,
• said top jaw member distal end comprising a first suture-tissue engagement region, said first suture-tissue engagement region comprising a top jaw member tissue engagement region, a top jaw member suture engagement region and a recessed region disposed between said top jaw member tissue engagement region and said top jaw member suture engagement region,
• said top jaw member suture engagement region extending proximally from said top jaw member distal end no greater than 4.0 mm,
• said top jaw member tissue engagement region comprising a first tissue engaging surface adapted to grasp second soft tissue,
• said top jaw member suture engagement region comprising a first suture engaging surface adapted to removably engage said suture,
• said bottom jaw member distal end comprising a second suture-tissue engagement region, said second suture-tissue engagement region comprising a bottom jaw member tissue engagement region and a bottom jaw member suture engagement region,
• said bottom jaw member tissue engagement region comprising a second tissue engaging surface adapted to grasp said second soft tissue,
• said bottom jaw member suture engagement region comprising a second suture engaging surface adapted to removably engage said suture,
• said first suture-tissue engagement region of said top jaw member positioned relative to said second suture-tissue engagement region of said bottom jaw member, whereby, when said multi-function jaw mechanism is in said closed jaw configuration, said first suture-tissue engagement region of said top jaw member and said second suture-tissue engagement region of said bottom jaw member are aligned and form a jaw mechanism suture-tissue engagement region, wherein at least said top jaw member suture engagement region and said bottom jaw member suture engagement region are in contact,
• said first suture-tissue engagement region of said top jaw member and said second suture-tissue engagement region of said bottom jaw member further forming a jaw mechanism suture-tissue capture region when said multi-function jaw mechanism is in said partially open jaw configuration, wherein, when said suture is received in said jaw mechanism suture-tissue capture region and said multi-function jaw mechanism is in said closed jaw configuration, said top jaw member suture engagement region and said bottom jaw member suture engagement region jointly grasp and retain said suture in said jaw mechanism suture-tissue engagement region.