US 5,387,227 A · Method for use of a laparo-suture needle

Abstract

A laparo-suture needle and method for use thereof. A medical suturing instrument employs an outer, hollow shaft having a laterally-disposed, elongate handle at a proximal end and an elongate, inner shaft disposed within the outer shaft. The inner shaft has a cutting edge at the distal end and extends out of the outer shaft at the proximal end, terminating in a spring-loaded push button. A lateral notch is formed in the inner shaft proximal of the cutting edge. The spring forces the inner shaft rearwardly so as to pull the notch within the outer shaft. By gripping the handle and placing pressure on the push button, the inner shaft is moved forward so as to expose the notch. A suture may then be placed in the notch so that the instrument grips the suture between the outer shaft and the inner shaft when the push button is released. The instrument is used for suturing muscle at an incision by gripping the end of a suture, forcing the distal end of the instrument beneath the epidermis within an incision, into the fatty tissue and through the muscle adjacent one side of the incision to force the suture through the muscle.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A method for suturing muscle tissue of a patient at the site of a wound, comprising the steps of:

(a) attaching a suture to a needle having a distal end and a proximal end, gripping means adjacent the distal end and operating means adjacent the proximal end for actuating the gripping means to grip said suture, said suture being attached to said needle by said gripping means;
(b) forcing said needle through muscle tissue adjacent a first side of said wound so as to guide said suture therethrough;
(c) after said suture has been guided through said muscle tissue in step (b), releasing said suture from said needle using said operating means;
(d) forcing through muscle tissue adjacent a second side of said wound a needle having a distal end and a proximal end, gripping means adjacent the distal end and operating means adjacent the proximal end for actuating the gripping means to grip said suture;
(e) gripping said suture within the body of the patient using the needle used in step (d);
and
(f) withdrawing the needle used in step (e) from said muscle tissue adjacent said second side of said wound so as to guide said suture from within the body of the patient therethrough.

4 more elements

A method for suturing muscle tissue of a patient at the site of a wound, comprising the steps of:

(a) attaching a suture to a needle having a distal end and a proximal end, gripping means adjacent the distal end and operating means adjacent the proximal end for actuating the gripping means to grip said suture, said suture being attached to said needle by said gripping means;
(b) forcing said needle through muscle tissue adjacent a first side of said wound so as to guide said suture therethrough;
(c) after said suture has been guided through said muscle tissue in step (b), releasing said suture from said needle using said operating means;
(d) withdrawing said needle from said muscle tissue adjacent said first side of said wound after said suture has been released in step (c);
(e) forcing said needle through muscle tissue adjacent a second side of said would and gripping said suture within the body of the patient using said needle;
and
(f) withdrawing said needle from said muscle tissue adjacent said second side of said wound so as to guide said suture from within the body of the patient therethrough.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for use of a laparo-suture needle

Life of this patent

Method for use of a laparo-suture needle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25