Biological Tissue Access and Closure Apparatus, Systems and Methods

A method for closing an opening in biological tissue, comprising the steps of:

• providing a tissue closure system, said tissue closure system comprising a suture guide sub-system and suture passer sub-system,
• said suture guide sub-system comprising a proximal region, a distal region disposed opposite said proximal region, and an open internal region disposed in said distal region, said distal region being configured to transition into and through a tissue structure,
• said suture guide sub-system further comprising a first internal lumen that is sized and configured to receive said suture passer sub-system therein,
• said suture guide sub-system further comprising an open tissue positioning region disposed proximate said distal region of said suture guide sub-system, said open tissue positioning region being configured and adapted to receive tissue therein,
• said suture guide sub-system further comprising adjustable tissue capture means disposed proximate said open tissue positioning region, said adjustable tissue capture means being configured and positioned to linearly translate from a first position to a second position, wherein said adjustable tissue capture means is capable of engaging said tissue disposed in said open tissue positioning region of said suture guide sub-system,
• said suture guide sub-system further comprising a second internal lumen, said first and second internal lumens being in an aligned relationship, wherein said suture passer sub-system is capable of transitioning unobstructably from said first internal lumen into and through said open tissue positioning region and into and through said second internal lumen,
• said distal region of said suture guide sub-system further comprising suture retention means for controlling passage of said suture passer sub-system through said suture guide sub-system and engaging sutures releasably secured thereto, said suture retention means being disposed proximate said open tissue positioning region,
• said suture retention means comprising a suture capture door that is configured and positioned to obstruct passage of said suture passer sub-system through said second internal lumen of said suture guide sub-system when said suture capture door is in a closed position,
• said suture capture door being further configured to transition from said closed position to an open position, wherein said suture passer sub-system is allowed passage through said second internal lumen of said suture guide sub-system,
• said suture capture door being further configured to engage and retain a suture that is releasably secured to said suture passer sub-system when said suture passer sub-system with said suture releasably secured thereto is inserted into and through said second internal lumen of said suture guide sub-system and through said suture capture door and, thereafter, said suture passer sub-system is withdrawn through said suture capture door,
• whereby, when said suture passer sub-system with said suture releasably secured thereto is inserted into and through said tissue disposed in said open tissue positioning region of said suture guide sub-system, into and through said second internal lumen and through said suture capture door and, thereafter, said suture passer sub-system is withdrawn through said suture capture door, said suture is engaged to said tissue and retained by said capture door,
• said suture passer sub-system comprising a suture passer cannula and a suture deployment shaft, said suture passer cannula being configured to slidably receive said suture deployment shaft therein,
• said suture deployment shaft comprising suture deployment and capture means for delivering a first suture to biological tissue and capturing and releasably securing said first suture therewith;
• inserting said suture guide sub-system into and through a tissue opening in a first biological tissue structure, said tissue opening comprising first and second tissue regions;
• positioning said open tissue positioning region of said suture guide sub-system proximate said first tissue region of said first biological structure, wherein said first tissue region is disposed in said open tissue positioning region of said suture guide sub-system;
• engaging a first section of said first suture with said suture passer sub-system;
• inserting said suture passer sub-system and said engaged first section of said first suture into said suture guide sub-system, wherein said suture passer cannula of said suture passer sub-system is disposed proximate said first tissue region of said first biological structure;
• inserting said suture passer cannula of said suture passer sub-system and said engaged first section of said first suture into and through said first tissue region of said first biological structure and through said suture capture door of said suture guide sub-system;
• withdrawing said suture passer cannula through said suture capture door and out of said first tissue region of said first biological structure, wherein said first section of said first suture is ensnared by said suture capture door of said suture guide sub-system and routed through said first tissue region of said first biological structure;
• withdrawing said suture passer sub-system out of said suture guide sub-system;
• rotating said suture guide sub-system circumferentially, wherein said second tissue region of said first biological structure is disposed in said open tissue positioning region of said suture guide sub-system;
• engaging a second section of said first suture with said suture passer sub-system;
• inserting said suture passer sub-system and said engaged second section of said first suture into and through said second tissue region of said first biological structure and through said suture capture door of said suture guide sub-system;
• withdrawing said first suture passer cannula through said suture capture door and out of said second tissue region of said first biological structure, wherein said second section of said first suture is ensnared by said suture capture door of said suture guide sub-system and routed through said second tissue region of said first biological structure;
• withdrawing said suture passer sub-system out of said suture guide sub-system;
• withdrawing said suture guide sub-system out of said first biological structure;
• releasing said first and second sections of said first suture ensnared by said suture capture door;
• and
• drawing said first and second sections of said first suture together, wherein said first and second tissue regions of said first biological structure are drawn together and, thereby, said tissue opening in said first biological tissue structure is closed.