Surgical instrument and method for suture ligation
OwnerRizk El-Galleyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure describes a modified surgical instrument of conventional design for assisting in suture ligation. The instrument is particularly well suited for suture ligation during endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures, but may be used in conventional surgical procedures as well. The instrument comprises a knot assist assembly operationally coupled to the instrument such that in operation, the knot assist assembly provides the surgeon with a perpendicular tip to aid in suture ligation.
Claims20
A modified surgical instrument of conventional design for assisting in suture ligation, the instrument comprising at least one knot assist assembly operationally coupled to the instrument, the assembly comprising a wire having a first end terminating with a tip and a second end operationally linked to an activating means for reversibly driving the tip between a retracted position and an extended position.
A method of suture ligation, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. placing a surgical instrument comprising a knot assist assembly into a body cavity of a patient;
- b. using the surgical instrument to pass a needle in combination with a suture thread through a tissue to be sutured;
- c. releasing the needle and placing the at least one link of the instrument adjacent to the suture thread at a location where the suture is desired and manipulating the surgical instrument so that the suture thread wraps at least once around the at least one link;
- d. pushing the trigger on the activating means such that the tip assumes the extended position;
- e. grasping the suture thread with the jaws of the instrument;
- f. pushing the trigger on the activating means such that the tip assumes the retracted position;
- and
- g. manipulating the instrument so that the jaws pass through the looped suture thread to form a knot in the suture thread.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.