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US 5,306,281 AGranted
Suturing cassette device
AssigneeMerrimac Industries, Inc.
InventorHenry R. Beurrier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanical apparatus for suturing biological tissue including a cassette housing, a continuous loop belt mounted for circulation therein, an arcuate needle mounted within the cassette for 360.degree. rotation having a plurality of closely spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop belt, and means for circulating the continuous loop belt. The cassette housing is easily attachable to and detachable from the means for circulating the continuous loop belt.
Claims14
An apparatus for suturing, comprising:
- a housing;
- a flexible, continuous loop drive element mounted within the housing for circulation therein;
- means for circulating the continuous loop drive element, including a rotating drive member mounted in the housing having a plurality of first spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop drive element, wherein said loop element passes around said drive member and is circulated through said housing by rotation of said member;
- means detachable from said housing and rotating drive member for driving said rotating drive member;
- and
- an arcuate suturing needle mounted at an end of the housing for 360.degree. rotation through a closed path, said needle having a leading point and a plurality of second spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop drive element.
3 more elements
An apparatus for suturing, comprising:
- a housing;
- a continuous loop drive element mounted within the housing for circulation therein;
- means for circulating the continuous loop drive element, including a rotating member having a plurality of spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop drive element;
- an arcuate suturing needle mounted at an end of the housing for 360.degree. rotation through a closed path, said needle having a leading point and a plurality of spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop drive element, said projecting means being arranged on the needle such that at least two of said projecting means engage the continuous loop element at all times during rotation of the needle;
- means for circulating the continuous loop drive element, said means comprising a shaft having first and second ends rotatably mounted to the housing for rotation around a transverse axis of the housing, a circular drum mounted on the shaft between said first and second ends for rotation within the housing and around the transverse axis, said drum having a plurality of spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop drive element;
- drive means for rotating the shaft including clutch means for limiting said rotation of the shaft to a single direction which causes the arcuate needle to rotate in the direction of its leading point;
- and
- quick disconnect means for connecting and disconnecting said drive means to the shaft.
5 more elements
An apparatus for suturing, comprising:
- a housing;
- a continuous loop drive element mounted within the housing for circulation therein;
- means for circulating the continuous loop drive element, including a rotating member having a first plurality of spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop drive element;
- an arcuate suturing needle mounted for rotation having a second plurality of spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop drive element and defining an arc having an included angle greater than about 180.degree.;
- a saddle member mounted in the housing having an arcuate outer surface slideably mating with and received inside the arc of the arcuate needle, said outer surface defining an arc also having an included angle greater than about 180.degree., said saddle member further defining an open throat area opposite said outer surface in which material to be sutured is received;
- and
- means for tensioning said continuous loop drive element around the arcuate outer surface with the needle received therebetween such that the needle projecting means are maintained in engagement with the continuous loop drive element.
4 more elements
An apparatus for suturing, comprising:
- a housing;
- a continuous loop drive element mounted within the housing for circulating therein;
- a shaft having first and second ends rotatably mounted to the housing for rotation;
- a circular drum mounted on the shaft between said first and second ends for rotation within the housing, said drum having a first plurality of spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop element;
- an arcuate suturing needle mounted for rotation having a leading point and second plurality of spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop drive element;
- and
- a knob assembly engaging the first end of the shaft, said knob assembly including clutch means for limiting rotation of the shaft to a single direction which causes the arcuate needle to rotate in the direction of its leading point.
4 more elements
An apparatus for suturing, comprising:
- a housing;
- a continuous loop drive element mounted within the housing for circulation therein;
- means for circulating the continuous loop drive element, including a rotating member mounted in the housing having a plurality of first spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop drive element;
- and
- an arcuate suturing needle mounted at an end of the housing for 360.degree. rotation through a closed path, said needle having a leading point and a plurality of second spaced projecting means for engaging the continuous loop drive element, wherein said second spaced projecting means are arranged on the needle such that at least two of said projecting means engage the continuous loop element at all times during rotation of the needle.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.