Suturing devices and methods for suturing an anatomic valve
AssigneeHeartStitch, Inc.
InventorsAnthony A. Nobles, Benjamin G. Brosch, William Ettlinger Cohn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Suturing apparatuses configured to suture biological tissue, such as an anatomical valve, are disclosed. The suturing apparatuses can include an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. A protective member may be used to inhibit contact between a distal end of a needle and surrounding tissue. Methods for suturing bodily tissue such as an anatomical valve may be performed with the suturing apparatuses. The suturing apparatuses may be used to suture adjacent valve leaflets or the base of a valve in order to treat or repair the valve.
Claims17
(canceled)
A method of suturing tissue, comprising:
- positioning a suturing device comprising an elongate body through the tissue;
- extending a single arm from the elongate body of the suturing device without damaging the tissue to be sutured, the arm carrying a plurality of suture portions;
- positioning the arm at or near the tissue;
- advancing a first needle through the tissue at a first location, and into contact with a first one of the plurality of suture portions carried by the arm;
- retracting the first needle through the tissue to draw the first suture portion through the tissue;
- advancing a second needle through tissue at a second location, and into contact with a second one of the plurality of suture portions carried by the arm;
- retracting the needle through the tissue to draw the second suture portion through the tissue;
- and
- closing a distance between the first and second locations with said suture portions placed through said locations.
A method of applying suturing to tissue, comprising:
- providing a suturing device, the suturing device comprising a proximal end and a distal end, an elongate body extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a handle at the proximal end;
- delivering the distal end of the suturing device to a location adjacent the tissue;
- extending an arm from the elongate body from a first position wherein the arm is retracted into the elongate body to a second position wherein the arm has a free end extending away from the elongate body, the arm carrying a first suture portion and a second suture portion;
- positioning the arm adjacent a first side of the tissue;
- advancing a first needle through the tissue at a first location and into contact with the first suture portion;
- retracting the first needle through the tissue to draw the first suture portion through the tissue, a first length of suture running from the first suture portion and through the tissue;
- advancing a second needle through the tissue at a second location and into contact with the second suture portion;
- and
- retracting the second needle through the tissue to draw the second suture portion through the tissue, a second length of suture running from the second suture portion and through the tissue,
- wherein the arm is configured to move between the first position and the second position without damaging the tissue to be sutured.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.