Flexible endoscopic stitching devices

#1. Technical Field

#The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching and, more particularly, to end effectors, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing and/or stitching through an access tube or the like.

#2. Background

#The foregoing objects, features and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an end effector of a stitching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the end effector of the stitching device of FIG. 1;

#The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic, laparoscopic, endoluminal, and/or transluminal suturing. In one embodiment, for example, such a device comprises a handle, handle assembly or other suitable actuating mechanism (e.g., robot, etc.) connected to a proximal end of a flexible, elongated body portion. A neck assembly operatively supported on a distal end of the flexible, elongated body portion allows an end effector, operatively supported at a distal end of the neck assembly, to articulate in response to actuation of articulation cables. The end effector includes a suture needle and a pair of jaws. In operation, the suture needle is passed back and forth through tissue from one jaw to the other. The device is adapted to be placed in a lumen of a flexible endoscope and then inserted into a natural orifice of a patient and transited endoluminally through the anatomy of the natural lumen to a treatment site within or outside the natural lumen.

#In the drawings and in the description which follow, the term “proximal”, as is traditional, will refer to the end of the device which is closest to the operator, while the term “distal” will refer to the end of the device which is furthest from the operator.

#Referring now in specific detail to the drawings, in which like reference numbers identify similar or identical elements, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of an end effector of a stitching device, shown generally at 100. End effector 100 of the stitching device is adapted to be particularly useful in endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures wherein an endoscopic portion of the stitching device, i.e., end effector 100, is insertable into an operative site, via a cannula assembly or the like (not shown).