Methods and devices for tissue suturing

A method of suturing tubular tissue, the method comprising:

• providing a suturing device for tubular tissue, the suturing device including:
• a handle assembly:
• an elongated shaft extending from the handle assembly;
• an end effector assembly disposed on a distal end of the elongated shaft, the end effector assembly having:
• at least one first guide tube extending distally from the elongated shaft, the at least one first guide tube housing at least one elongated member;
• a mating plate extending distally from the elongated shaft;
• a hinge assembly having a hinge, the hinge assembly pivotably supported on the mating plate;
• a clamshell having at least one aperture configured for locating the at least one first guide tube, the clamshell including:
• a first clamshell portion operatively coupled to the hinge;
• and
• a second clamshell portion operatively coupled to the hinge, wherein the first and second clamshell portions are actuatable between a first configuration and a second configuration;
• and
• a probe configured for disposal in a graft tubular tissue circumferentially offset from the clamshell, the probe having:
• at least one aperture including a second guide tube, the second guide tube attached to a suture having a first end and a second end;
• and
• a slot configured to locate the mating plate;
• disposing the probe into the graft tubular tissue;
• approximating the first and second clamshell portions such that the graft tubular tissue is captured between the clamshell and the probe;
• puncturing the graft tubular tissue with the at least one elongated member;
• mating the at least one elongated member with the at least on aperture of the probe;
• extracting the at least one elongated member;
• and
• extracting the suture through the punctured graft tubular tissue.

An end effector for suturing tissue comprising:

• an elongated shaft;
• and
• an assembly attachable to an end of the elongated shaft, assembly including:
• at least one first guide tube extending distally from the elongated shaft, the at least one first guide tube housing at least one elongated member;
• a mating plate extending distally from the elongated shaft;
• a hinge assembly having a hinge pivotably supported on the mating plate;
• a clamshell having at least one aperture configured for locating the at least one first guide tube, the clamshell having:
• a first clamshell portion operatively coupled to the hinge;
• and
• a second clamshell portion operatively coupled to the hinge, wherein the first and second clamshell portions are transitionable between a first configuration and a second configuration;
• and
• a probe configured for disposal in a graft tubular tissue, the probe having:
• at least one aperture housing a second guide tube, the second guide tube attached to a suture having a first end and a second end;
• and
• a slot configured to locate the mating plate, wherein the mating plate is extendable from the elongated shaft into the slot defined in the probe and the at least one elongated member is deployable to puncture the graft tubular tissue and mate with the at least one aperture of the probe such that extraction of the at least one elongated member simultaneously draws out the first end of the suture through the punctured graft tubular tissue.