US 5,993,466 A · Suturing instrument with multiple rotatably mounted spreadable needle holders

Abstract

An instrument for suturing anatomical tissue with a suture needle includes a housing, an elongate shaft having a proximal end mounted by the housing and a distal end with a peripheral edge, a first needle holder protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft and having a needle holding member at a distal end operable to grasp and release a suture needle, and a second needle holder protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft and having a needle holding member at a distal end operable to grasp and release a suture needle. Distal portions of the first and second needle holders extend laterally outward at an angle from first and second longitudinal axes of the elongate shaft to positions where at least a portion of the corresponding needle holding members are spaced laterally outward of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft. In addition, the needle holders are rotatable about the first and second longitudinal axes of the elongate shaft to cause the corresponding needle holding members to move along first and second arcuate paths. When inserting the suturing instrument through a portal in an endoscopic procedure, the first and second needle holders are preferably movable to undeployed positions where their needle holding members are spaced laterally inward of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft. When suturing, the needle holding members can be moved from their undeployed positions to deployed positions disposed laterally outward of the peripheral edge due to the angled configuration of the distal portions of the needle holders.

Claims60

Dependent claims

An instrument for suturing anatomical tissue with a suture needle, said suturing instrument comprising

an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a peripheral edge;
a handle coupled to said proximal end of said shaft;
a first arm protruding from said distal end of said elongate shaft and having a needle holding portion operable to grasp and release a suture needle;
and
a second arm protruding from said distal end of said elongate shaft and having a needle holding portion operable to grasp and release a suture needle
said first arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a first longitudinal axis within said elongate shaft to a position where at least a portion of said needle holding portion of said first arm is spaced laterally outward of said peripheral edge of said elongate shaft, said first arm being rotatable about said first longitudinal axis to cause said portion of said first arm to move along a first arcuate path having a center of curvature coaxial with said first longitudinal axis.

3 more elements

An instrument for suturing anatomical tissue with a suture needle, said instrument comprising

an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a peripheral edge;
a handle coupled to said distal end of said elongate shaft;
a first needle holder having a proximal portion extending at least part way through said elongate shaft along a first longitudinal axis, a distal arm portion extending laterally outward from said proximal portion at an angle, and a needle holding portion mounted on said distal arm portion and operable to grasp and release a suture needle, said proximal portion of said first needle holder being rotatably mounted within said elongate shaft to move said needle holding portion of said first needle holder along a first arcuate path having a center of curvature coaxial with said first longitudinal axis;
and
a second needle holder having a proximal portion extending at least part way through said elongate shaft along a second longitudinal axis laterally spaced from said first longitudinal axis, a distal arm portion extending laterally outward from said proximal portion at an angle, and a needle holding portion mounted on said distal arm portion and operable to grasp and release a suture needle, said proximal portion of said second needle holder being rotatably mounted within said elongate shaft to move said needle holding portion of said second needle holder along a second arcuate path having a center of curvature coaxial with said second longitudinal axis.

2 more elements

A method of suturing anatomical tissue using a length of suture material attached to a suture needle, said method comprising the steps of

grasping the suture needle with a needle holding portion of a driver arm protruding distally from the distal end of an elongate shaft, the driver arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a first longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft the needle holding portion;
rotating the driver arm about the first longitudinal axis to drive the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in a first direction along a first arcuate path coaxial with the first longitudinal axis;
receiving the tip of the suture needle in a needle holding portion of a catcher arm protruding distally from the end of the elongate shaft, the catcher arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a second longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft;
grasping the suture needle with the needle catcher arm;
releasing the suture needle from the needle holding portion of the driver arm;
and
using the needle holding portion of the catcher arm to pull the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in the first direction along a second arcuate path.

4 more elements

A method of suturing anatomical tissue using a length of suture material attached to a suture needle, said method comprising the steps of

grasping the suture needle with a needle holding portion of a driver arm protruding distally from the distal end of an elongate shaft, the driver arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a first longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft;
using the driver arm to drive the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in a first direction along a first arcuate path coaxial with the first longitudinal axis;
receiving the tip of the suture needle in a needle holding portion of a catcher arm protruding distally from the distal end of the elongate shaft, the catcher arm extending laterally outward of an angle from a second longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft;
grasping the suture needle with the needle holding portion of the catcher arm;
releasing the suture needle from the needle holding portion of the driver arm;
and
rotating the catcher arm about the second longitudinal axis to pull the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in the first direction along a second arcuate path.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Suturing instrument with multiple rotatably mounted spreadable needle holders

Life of this patent

Suturing instrument with multiple rotatably mounted spreadable needle holders

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims60