Endoscopic suture systems
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsJuergen A. Kortenbach, Barry N. Gellman, Erin Bird
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A surgical instrument for applying sutures to tissue includes a needle deployment mechanism and a catch mechanism. In some embodiments, the needle deployment mechanism employs a linear path. Alternatively, it can employ a curved needle. The surgical instrument may include a rotatable head, a bend, and/or a malleable elongated body member formable into various shapes.
Claims46
A suturing instrument, comprising:
- an elongated body member including a distal end;
- a head extending from the distal end of the elongated body member, the head defining a longitudinal groove and an opening proximal to the longitudinal groove, the head also includes a needle catch disposed within the opening;
- and
- a needle carrier disposed within the longitudinal groove, the needle carrier for holding a needle and being movable within the longitudinal groove to advance the needle linearly into the opening and towards the needle catch.
3 The suturing instrument of claim 1 wherein the elongated body member includes two bends.
A suturing instrument, comprising:
- an elongated body member;
- a needle catch including at least one opening for receiving a needle and being movable from within the elongated body member to outside of the elongated body member;
- and
- a needle carrier for holding the needle and being movable from within the elongated body member to outside of the elongated body member.
A needle catch, comprising:
- at least one opening for receiving a needle;
- and
- a point to permit tissue penetration.
A suturing instrument, comprising:
- an elongated body member including a distal portion and defining a curved channel within the distal portion;
- a curved needle including a series of notches, the curved needle for being received within the curved channel;
- and
- a pusher disposed within the elongated body member and being movable within the elongated body member to contact the notches of the needle and advance the needle out of the curved channel.
A suturing instrument, comprising:
- an elongated body member including a distal end, the distal end including a first engaging element;
- and
- a head including a proximal end, the proximal end including a second engaging element to position the head in one of a plurality of orientations with respect to the elongated body member.
43 The suturing instrument of claim 35 wherein the plurality of orientations includes increments of 30°.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.