Suturing instrument with deflectable head
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsBarry N. Gellman, Jozef Slanda
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Suturing instruments in accordance with the invention are dimensioned and configured to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, trans-vaginal, laparoscopic, or endoscopic surgical procedures. In some embodiments, the suturing instruments include a distal portion that is deflectably and/or pivotally coupled to the remainder of the instrument for improved maneuverability and functionality during surgery. In other embodiments, the suturing instruments are capable of housing multiple needle and suture assemblies and/or reloading the needle and suture assembly without removing the instrument from the surgical site.
Claims20
A suturing instrument comprising:
- an elongate body member comprising a middle portion and a distal portion extending distally from the middle portion and deflectable at a predetermined angle relative to the middle portion;
- and
- a needle deployment mechanism disposed at least partially within the elongate body member and connectable to a needle for moving the needle out of the distal portion.
A method for placing sutures in tissue, the method comprising:
- providing a suturing instrument comprising:
- an elongate body member comprising a middle portion and a distal portion extending distally from the middle portion and deflectable at a predetermined angle relative to the middle portion;
- a needle deployment mechanism disposed at least partially within the elongate body member and connectable to a needle for moving the needle out of the distal portion.
- disposing a needle within the distal portion;
- disposing the suturing instrument in a body;
- deflecting the distal portion of the suturing instrument thereby positioning the distal portion proximal to the tissue;
- and
- actuating the needle deployment mechanism thereby moving the needle out of the distal portion and through the tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.