US 2017/0360435 A1 · SURGICAL CLOSURE APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

A surgical closure apparatus includes an outer member dimensioned for positioning within a wound opening, a needle assembly at least partially positioned within the outer member and a suture configured for at least partially closing the wound opening within the tissue. The needle assembly includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal opening, a suture needle coupled to the elongate member and extending to a needlepoint and being configured for movement between an unarmed condition where the needlepoint is in a relative radial inward position and an armed condition where the needlepoint is in a relative radial outward position and a deployment member extending at least partially through the longitudinal opening of the elongate member and coupled to the suture needle. The deployment member is movable within the longitudinal opening to permit the suture needle to move between the unarmed condition and the armed condition.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A surgical closure apparatus for facilitating closure of a wound, comprising:

an outer member dimensioned for positioning within a wound opening and defining a central longitudinal axis;
a needle assembly at least partially positioned within the outer member, the needle assembly including:
an elongate member defining a longitudinal opening along a portion of a length thereof;
a suture needle coupled to the elongate member and extending to a needlepoint, the suture needle configured for movement between an unarmed condition where the needlepoint is in a relative radial inward position and an armed condition where the needlepoint is in a relative radial outward position;
and
a deployment member extending at least partially through the longitudinal opening of the elongate member and coupled to the suture needle, the deployment member movable within the longitudinal opening to permit the suture needle to move between the unarmed condition and the armed condition;
and
a suture configured for at least partially closing the wound opening, the suture coupled to the suture needle and at least partially extending through the outer member.

5 more elements

A method for facilitating closure of a wound opening, comprising:

positioning an outer member relative to a wound opening, the outer member having an elongate member at least partially disposed therein and a suture needle coupled to the elongate member extending beyond the outer member and terminating in a needlepoint;
securing a flexible deployment member at least partially extending within a longitudinal opening of the elongate member to the suture needle;
coupling a suture to the suture needle adjacent the needlepoint;
introducing the outer member within the wound opening while the suture needle is in an unarmed condition whereby the needlepoint is in a radial inward position relative to the outer member;
translating the deployment member within the longitudinal opening of the elongate member to transition the suture needle from the unarmed condition to an armed condition whereby the needlepoint is in a radial outward position relative to the outer member;
moving the elongate member within the wound opening through a first manipulation while the suture needle is in the armed condition such that the needlepoint and at least a portion of the suture needle penetrates first tissue portions surrounding the wound opening to cause a first suture segment of the suture to pass through the first tissue portions;
rearranging the outer member and the elongate member relative to the wound opening;
moving the elongate member within the wound opening through a second manipulation while the suture needle is in the armed condition such that the needlepoint and at least a portion of the suture needle penetrates second tissue portions surrounding the wound opening to cause a second suture segment of the suture to pass through the second tissue portions;
and
securing the first and second suture segments to at least partially close the wound opening.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Surgical closure apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Surgical closure apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18