US 5,728,113 A · Endoscopic vascular suturing apparatus

Abstract

An endoscopic apparatus for suturing vascular tissue including a body portion having a first and a second jaw mounted for movement on a distal end thereon and moveable between an open position spaced apart to a closed position wherein the first and second jaws are in close cooperative alignment and a handle member for moving the first and second jaws to move them between the open and closed positions. The apparatus further includes a reciprocating mechanism associated with the first and second jaws and movable between a first position securing a surgical needle within the first jaw and a second position releasing the surgical needle from the first jaw and a cam actuating lever engagable with the reciprocating mechanism such that the cam actuating lever cams the reciprocating mechanism between the first and second positions in response to predetermined movement of the handle member.

Claims30

Dependent claims

An endoscopic apparatus for suturing tissue comprising:

a) an elongated tubular housing;
b) a first jaw and a second jaw mounted for movement on a distal end of the tubular housing and remotely actuable for movement between an open position and a closed position wherein the first and second jaws are in close cooperative alignment;
c) a handle mechanism including a handle member, the handle mechanism associated with the proximal end of the tubular housing, the handle member being actuable to move the first and second jaws between the open and closed positions;
d) a reciprocating mechanism, mounted to the handle mechanism, remote from the first and second jaws and movable between a first position securing a surgical needle within one of the first and second jaws and a second position releasing the surgical needle from the same one of the first and second jaws;
and
e) a cam actuating lever engagable with the reciprocating mechanism to cam the reciprocating mechanism between the first and second positions in response to a predetermined movement of the handle member.

3 more elements

An apparatus for suturing tissue comprising:

a) an elongated tubular housing;
b) a handle mechanism including a pair of handles mounted adjacent a proximal end of the tubular housing;
c) a first jaw extending from the elongated tubular housing and having a first needle receiving recess configured to receive a portion of a surgical needle therein and a first needle engaging member mounted for movement with respect to the first jaw;
d) a second jaw mounted adjacent the housing for movement with respect to the first jaw and having a second needle receiving recess configured to receive a portion of a surgical needle therein, the second jaw having a second needle engaging member mounted for movement with respect to the second jaw;
e) a reciprocating mechanism mounted to the handle mechanism and connected to the first and second needle engaging members, the reciprocating mechanism actuable by the handles for alternately moving the first and second needle engaging members into and out of the first and second needle receiving recesses, the reciprocating mechanism being movable by the handles between a first position advancing the first needle engaging member with respect to the first jaw and a second position advancing the second needle engaging member with respect to the second jaw;
and
f) a cam actuating lever operatively associated with the handles, the cam actuating lever automatically camming the reciprocating mechanism between the first and second positions to allow transfer of control of a surgical needle between the first and second jaws upon closure of the handles.

4 more elements

A method of endoscopically suturing vascular tissue comprising the steps of:

a) providing an endoscopic suturing apparatus having first and second needle holding jaws mounted to the body portion and pivotal relative to each other about a common pivot point, the first and second jaws movable relative to the body portion from a first position spaced apart to a second position in close cooperative alignment;
b) endoscopically accessing a surgical site containing vascular tissue to be sutured;
c) preparing the vascular tissue for suturing by manipulating adjacent portions of the vascular tissue to form a tissue area suitable for suturing;
d) inserting a portion of the body portion of the endoscopic suturing apparatus to the surgical site including the first and second needle holding jaws with a surgical needle and associated length of suture held in the first needle holding jaw;
e) positioning the first and second needle holding jaws and surgical needle in the first position adjacent the formed tissue area;
f) remotely actuating the endoscopic suturing apparatus to close both the first and second jaws about the common pivot point to the second position with the formed tissue area therebetween to drive the surgical needle through the formed tissue area;
g) transferring the surgical needle from the first jaw to the second jaw by actuating a camming mechanism positioned in a proximal end of the endoscopic suturing apparatus;
h) remotely actuating the endoscopic suturing apparatus to open the jaws to the first position;
and
i) drawing the length of suture at least partially through the formed tissue area to form a stitch therein.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Endoscopic vascular suturing apparatus

Life of this patent

Endoscopic vascular suturing apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30