Endoscopic systems using self-retaining sutures

An endoscopic system for performing a surgical procedure on a tissue at a surgical site within a cavity of a body of a patient, the endoscopic system comprising:

• an elongate body having a distal end adapted to be inserted through an orifice in the body to a location within the cavity adjacent the surgical site;
• an endoscopic camera disposed on the distal end of the elongate body and adapted to provide an image of the surgical site to a medical provider;
• a self-retaining suture comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first pointed end and a first plurality of projections adapted to permit movement of the first portion through tissue towards the first pointed end and prevent movement in an opposite direction;
• a suture-insertion tool including a tubular element in which the self-retaining suture is initially disposed, the suture insertion tool being adapted to deliver the self-retaining suture through an orifice in the body to a location within the cavity adjacent the surgical site;
• and
• an endoscopic tissue grasper adapted to manipulate tissue at the surgical site.

An endoscopic instrument set that can perform a surgical procedure on a tissue at a surgical site within a body of a patient, the endoscopic instrument set comprising:

• an elongate body having a distal end adapted to be inserted through a port in the body to a location adjacent to the surgical site;
• an endoscopic camera disposed a the distal end of the elongate body and adapted to provide an image of the surgical site to a medical provider;
• a suture insertion tool adapted to manipulate a self-retaining suture at the surgical site, which self-retaining suture includes a portion thereof having a pointed end and a plurality of projections adapted to permit movement of the suture through the tissue toward the pointed end and prevent movement in an opposite direction, which manipulation of the suture by the suture-insertion tool is initiated outside of the body of the patient;
• and
• another endoscopic tool adapted to assist at the surgical site, which assistance is initiated outside of the body of the patient.