| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080208221 | SUTURE PASSING INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF PASSING SUTURE - An apparatus and method for passing suture(s) in tissue repair and/or other mini-open procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a hand assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a needle mounted on the hand assembly and through a cannulation of the shaft. The pair of jaws includes a lower jaw and an upper jaw, the upper jaw being curve-shaped to enable grasping of thick tissue. The hand assembly has a finger lever with a ratchet and a releaser with a hook, the hand assembly being designed to move the needle from a first position to a second position. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080269786 | Suturing Devices and Methods for Closing a Patent Foramen Ovale - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for closing a patent foramen ovale. Some of the disclosed apparatuses include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, with first and second suture clasp arms adapted to hold end portions of a suture when in an extended position. A first suture catch mechanism is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a proximal-to-distal direction to engage the suture end held by the first suture clasp arm, and a second suture catch mechanism is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a distal-to-proximal direction to suture end held by the second suture clasp arm. The first suture clasp arm can be positioned around the septum primum to deliver a suture thereto, and the second suture clasp arm can be positioned around the septum secundum to deliver a suture thereto. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080275473 | SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE GASTROINTESTINAL PROCEDURES - A surgical system for performing gastrointestinal procedures is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body defining an endoscope lumen. The body is adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes at least one side disposed suction cavity and a cutting device configured to excise a surface layer from the tissue that is captured in the suction cavity. One or more needles are also provided in the working portion, which can be used to apply suture to the captured tissue and/or to inject fluid into the captured tissue prior to excision. Particular applications may be to treat Barrett's esophagus, to treat GERD, or for performing gastroplasty in the stomach. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20090012538 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CONTINUOUS SUTURE PASSING - Described herein are suture passers for suturing tissue in a continuous manner by passing a suture attached to a suture shuttle through. A suture passer may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tissue perpetrator that is retractable and extendable from the first jaw. The tissue penetrator may have a suture shuttle engagement region, and the second jaw may include a shuttle dock. The suture shuttle may be transferred between the first and second jaws as the tissue penetrator is extended from the first jaw and engages the second jaw. In some variations of the tissue passer, one or both jaws are tissue penetrating. In some variations, the jaws open in parallel, allowing large tissue regions to be positioned between the jaws. Methods of using these devices are also described, as are systems and kits including these devices. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090018554 | Suture passing and retrieval device - A surgical instrument has a suture passer/advanoer and a suture retriever manipulated from a common handle. The retriever is preferably a loop that closes around the suture advanced through it by the advancer. The loop is retracted to draw it around the suture. The retriever has a fork like distal end to readily advance and let go of the suture after it is in the loop of the retriever. The advancer and retriever can be manipulated longitudinally and rotationally with respect to a tubular body through which they extend so that the suture retriever can be passed through a needle pierced through tissue to be sutured, the suture may be advanced and guided into the retriever loop to be gripped. Retracting the instrument will cause one end of the suture to be pulled retrograde through the tissue. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090306684 | Method and Apparatus for Passing a Suture - A suture pushing device includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and a suturing head at the distal end of the shaft. The suturing head includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw and/or the second jaw have a tissue cutting edge adapted to cut an opening in a tissue. A blunt suture pushing member advances from within the shaft, through the suturing head, and through the cut opening in the tissue to place a suture. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100042116 | Cycling suturing and knot-tying device - A cycling, suturing and knot-tying device is characterized by an arcuate fixed, grooved or recessed way provided in a correspondingly shaped support frame for accommodating a curved needle fitted with thread, and frictional needle-engaging devices provided in the way for selectively engaging the needle and driving the needle in one or both rotational directions to suture a wound with the thread. Selective articulation of the frame and the way and driving of the needle in the way by positioning the frictional needle-engaging devices with respect to the needle are typically effected by manipulation of a pistol-grip operating apparatus having a transmission tube that mounts the frame and the way in articulating relationship and rotates and articulates with respect to the pistol grip and carries various operating elements that interface with the frictional needle-engaging devices in the way. In at least one embodiment needle, direction-adjusting elements are provided in the frame in cooperation with selected devices in the way for determining the direction of needle rotation responsive to manipulation of an interfacing operating element located on the operating apparatus. Auxiliary thread-handling or incrementing and knot-tying devices are also disclosed. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100130990 | METHODS OF SUTURING AND REPAIRING TISSUE USING A CONTINUOUS SUTURE PASSER DEVICE - Described herein are methods of repairing tissue using a continuous suture passer. In particular, described herein are methods for forming complex suture patterns using a continuous suture passer. The continuous suture passer is typically configured so that the tissue penetrating element (e.g., needle) may be completely withdrawn into the device. The continuous suture passer may be configured as a grasper having two jaws, wherein the tissue penetrating member may pass the suture between the two jaws. The jaws may open and close so that the tissue contacting surfaces of the jaws are parallel, and so that the suture may be passed between the jaws when they are in any position. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100137889 | Surgical Instrument and Method for Attaching Soft Tissue to a Bone - A surgical instrument for use in attaching soft tissue to a bone in a surgical site, includes an elongated shaft carrying, at its distal end, a clamping device having clamping jaws and a piercing device for piercing soft tissue, and further carrying, at its proximal end, manipulatable members for manipulating the clamping device to clamp soft tissue between the clamping jaws, and for manipulating the piercing device for piercing the soft tissue when clamped between the clamping jaws, and for drawing a suture through the pierced soft tissue. The surgical instrument further includes, at its distal end, a socket dimensioned to receive an anchor to be implanted in a bore in the bone, which anchor also has secured thereto a suture to be passed through the pierced soft tissue and to be tied to the bone. The invention is particularly described with respect to a method wherein the tissue to be attached is labrum tissue detached from the glenoid bone in a shoulder joint. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100179573 | MEDICAL DEVICE AND PROCEDURE FOR ATTACHING TISSUE TO BONE - The invention pertains to medical devices for anchoring a suture engaged with soft tissue to a bone, the devices including one or more of tissue fastening medical devices, bone anchor medical devices, bone anchor driving tools, implantation tools, and impactor tools, and procedures for using the same. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100185218 | Surgical Suturing Latch - Suturing systems may comprise a cartridge and a drive unit which are detachable from each other. The cartridge often has a cartridge body, a plurality of jaws, and a cartridge interface. The drive unit has a drive unit body, a linkage, and a drive unit interface which will typically include a latch. A latch input is coupled to the latch so that a movement of the input moves the latch to the released position. The cartridge interface or the drive unit interface includes a channel while the other includes a shaft which is fittingly receivable in the channel. Opposed motions of the input and cartridge during cartridge removal avoid inadvertent detachment during use. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100249809 | THREADABLE KNOT SOFT TISSUE DEFECT REPAIR SYSTEM - A soft tissue defect repair system for approximating defects, such as defects in the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, includes a cannulated rod through which is disposed a suture retrieval device. A strand of suture includes a locking or ratcheting knot pre-tied around the outside of the cannulated rod and a free end that is guided in and out of the soft tissue. A knot pusher fits around the cannulated rod, which is used to push the knot off of the cannulated rod after the stitching of the tissue is accomplished. The defect is approximated by tensioning the free end. Various suturing methods or patterns are disclosed for defect approximation. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100268255 | APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF DELIVERING AND ANCHORING IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - An apparatus includes an elongate member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The elongate member defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion of the elongate member defines a notch having a face defining an axis. The axis of the face and the longitudinal axis define an acute angle with respect to a first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to retain a loop of a suture when the elongate member is moved through a tissue of a patient in the first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to release the loop of the suture when the elongate member is moved through the tissue of the patient in a second direction different than the first direction. The suture has at least one tissue anchor configured to be disposed within the tissue of the patient. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100268256 | SUTURE PASSER - A device for placing one or more sutures and approximating tissue includes an elongate body member and a suture deployment system. The suture deployment system includes a suture carrier with a sharpened end for piercing tissue. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100312260 | INTERRUPTED TISSUE APPOSITION DEVICES - An interrupted suturing device for applying one or more suture elements to tissue is provided. The device includes a handle and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft includes a suture channel and a tip member that is coupled to the shaft and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The tip member has a return channel, where open ends of the suture channel are axially aligned with open ends of the return channel. A drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the actuator to drive the suture element along the suture and return channels, while the tip member is operatively coupled to the drive mechanism to cause movement of the tip member between the extended and retracted positions. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110004226 | AXIAL NEEDLE AND SUTURE DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD - A needle delivery device that has particular application for providing needles for minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures. The device includes an elongated pincher having opposing rails that is slidable within a channel defined in an extended base portion. Widened end portions of the rails hold the needle and push it out of an end of the device where it is released. The pincher is then retracted to a location where the end portions can pick up a next needle to be delivered. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110022063 | SUTURING SYSTEM AND ASSEMBLY - A suturing assembly configured to place suture in tissue includes a handle having an actuator, a shaft coupled to the handle, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion housing a needle movable through a needle exit port and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat, the distal end defining a cavity. The actuator is configured to move the needle out of the needle exit port formed in the proximal portion of the head and across the throat to engage a capsule disposed in the cavity formed in the distal end of the head, the capsule attached to the suture. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110028998 | BI-DIRECTIONAL SUTURE PASSER - A bi-directional suture passing instrument configured to approach soft tissues perpendicularly, enables safer and more efficient surgical repairs and minimally invasive techniques to be employed, useful in areas such as annulus repair, meniscal repair, shoulder arthroscopy, hernia repair, laproscopic repair, and wound closure. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110028999 | PLACING SUTURES - A suturing instrument including multiple needle and suture assemblies that are at least partially disposed within the suturing instrument allows a surgeon to place multiple sutures intercorporally without having to remove the instrument from a surgical site and reload the instrument between placing each suture. The suturing instrument includes an elongate body member that includes a distal portion defining an opening. The suturing instrument further includes a first needle disposed within the opening, a second needle disposed within the opening, and a needle deployment mechanism disposed at least partially within the elongate body member and connectable sequentially to the first needle and the second needle. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110046645 | SUTURE ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM - A suture assembly configured to load a suture instrument with suture includes a cap attached to an end of the suture, a suture container configured to retain a portion of the suture, and a cap retainer having a wall and a suture channel formed in the wall. The suture channel is configured to receive a length of the suture, and the wall is configured to deny passage of the cap into the suture channel and align the cap with the length of the suture for loading into the suture instrument. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110046646 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MENISCAL REPAIR - An apparatus for suturing tissue includes first and second needles. A first structure associated with the first needle is adapted and configured to pass a leading portion of the suture from a near side of a tissue to a far side of the tissue. A second structure cooperates with the second needle to capture and secure the suture. Proximal movement of the apparatus after the suture is captured moves the suture from the far side of the tissue to the near side of the tissue. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110060352 | PLACING SUTURES - A suturing instrument is configured for to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini incision, trans-vaginal, or endoscopic surgical procedures. The suturing instrument includes an elongate body member, a needle exit port, a needle receiving port, and a needle deployment mechanism. The suturing instrument eliminates the need for a preassembled needle and suture and reduces or eliminates the possibility of needle loss during suturing. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110066165 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING A HIP JOINT, INCLUDING THE PROVISION AND USE OF A NOVEL SUTURE PASSER - A suture passer comprising:
| 03-17-2011 |
| 20110071551 | MULTI-STITCH ANCHOR SUTURE-BASED SOFT TISSUE REPAIR SYSTEM - A soft tissue repair system includes a needle, a sheath, and a actuator. The needle has a body and a tip that extends distally from the body. The body defines a longitudinal channel configured to hold a plurality of suture anchors, and an ejection port proximal to the tip. The needle is configured to receive and hold a strand of suture. The sheath is disposed coaxially around the exterior of the needle, and is translatable with respect to the needle between a first position, and a second position. The actuator is translatable within the needle channel and is configured to push the suture anchors distally such that a first suture anchor of the plurality of suture anchors engages the suture strand held by the needle and sheath. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110071552 | ARTICULATING SUTURING DEVICE AND METHOD - Devices, systems, and methods for suturing of body lumens allow the suturing of vascular puncture sites located at the distal end of a percutaneous tissue tract. An elongated articulated foot of the device can be inserted through the penetration and actuated so that the foot extends along the lumenal axis. The foot can carry suturing attachment cuffs with one end of the cuff adapted to receive a needle, while the other end receives suture. A portion of the foot and/or lumen of the shaft can receive a portion of the suture and can include friction reducing structure that aid with movement of the sutured during removal of the cuffs from within the penetration. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110087246 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CONTINUOUS SUTURE PASSING - Suture passers for suturing tissue in a continuous manner by passing a suture attached to a suture shuttle through. A suture passer may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tissue penetrator that is retractable and extendable from the first jaw. The tissue penetrator may have a suture shuttle engagement region, and the second jaw may include a shuttle dock. The suture shuttle may be transferred between the first and second jaws as the tissue penetrator is extended from the first jaw and engages the second jaw. In some variations of the tissue passer, one or both jaws are tissue penetrating. In some variations, the jaws open in parallel, allowing large tissue regions to be positioned between the jaws. Methods of using these devices are also described, as are systems and kits including these devices. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110112555 | BI-DIRECTIONAL SUTURE PASSER - A bi-directional suture passing instrument is disclosed. The suture passing instrument may include a housing having a first cannulation and a second cannulation that is spaced from the first cannulation by a tissue receiving gap. The instrument may also include a shuttling element movable across the tissue receiving gap between the first and second cannulations. The shuttling element is configured to carry a strand of suture. A first pusher disposed in the first cannulation is configured to push the shuttling element from the first cannulation toward the second cannulation, and a second pusher disposed in the second cannulation is configured to push the shuttling element from the second cannulation toward the first cannulation. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110112556 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MENISCUS REPAIR - Described herein are meniscus suture passers for repair of the meniscus of the knee. These devices are typically continuous suture passers that may include an elongate body having a pair of arms. One or more of the arms may be angled or bent at the distal end region relative to the long axis of the device, forming a distal-facing opening that is configured to fit meniscus tissue. One or both arms may be movable in the axial direction (e.g., the direction of the long axis of the device). The devices typically include a tissue penetrating element housed within one of the arms but configured to extend across the distal opening between and communicate with one or more docking regions on the opposite arm to alternately retain and release a suture (or a suture connected to a suture shuttle). Thus, a suture may be passed from a first side of the tissue to a second side and back to the first side multiple times. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110118760 | SUTURE PASSER - A suturing device for grasping soft tissue and placing stitches in soft tissue during endoscopic procedures is described. An elongate housing with a stationary jaw and a movable jaw disposed at the distal end are configured for grasping and releasing soft tissue. A movable needle disposed within the housing is actuated to engage a length of suture and drive the suture into and through the grasped soft tissue. A suture capture member is disposed on the movable jaw and is configured to allow passage of the needle therethrough while securing a portion of the stitched length of suture. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110130773 | METHODS FOR CONTINUOUS SUTURE PASSING - Suture passers for suturing tissue in a continuous manner by passing a suture attached to a suture shuttle through. A suture passer may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tissue penetrator that is retractable and extendable from the first jaw. The tissue penetrator may have a suture shuttle engagement region, and the second jaw may include a shuttle dock. The suture shuttle may be transferred between the first and second jaws as the tissue penetrator is extended from the first jaw and engages the second jaw. In some variations of the tissue passer, one or both jaws are tissue penetrating. In some variations, the jaws open in parallel, allowing large tissue regions to be positioned between the jaws. Methods of using these devices are also described, as are systems and kits including these devices. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110152891 | MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SUTURING TISSUE - Medical devices and methods are disclosed for suturing tissue, that may be employed endoscopically and/or laparoscopically, and that offer simple, reliable and controllable placement of suture around a perforation for complete closure thereof. One embodiment of the medical system generally includes an endcap having first and second arms, a needle, a suture, and first and second control members. The first and second control members are used to pass the needle back-and-forth between the first and second arms. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110152892 | SUTURE PASSING INSTRUMENT AND METHOD - In one embodiment, a continuous suture passer device may include a first jaw, a second jaw, a tissue penetrator which may penetrate through tissue positioned between the first and second jaws, and a suture shuttle which may be releasably secured to the tissue penetrator and adapted to carry a suture. Further, the device may include an actuator which may manipulate at least one of the first or second jaws and the tissue penetrator, and the second jaw may have a suture shuttle retainer seat on which the suture shuttle may be releasably secured. The tissue penetrator may be movable towards the second jaw such that the suture shuttle carried by the tissue penetrator may be transferred to the shuttle retainer seat on the second jaw. Additionally, the first and second jaws may be substantially parallel to one another at any position to which the at least one jaw is manipulated. Additionally, the tissue penetrator may travel along an arcuate path from a first position, recessed within the first jaw, to a second position where the tissue penetrator extends through the tissue to be positioned in communication with the second jaw. Further, the at least one jaw may be manipulated such that it travels along a path that is substantially the same arcuate path traveled by the tissue penetrator. A method for passing a suture through tissue includes manipulation to transfer a suture shuttle adapted to carry a suture between a tissue penetrator and a second jaw. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110202074 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DEPLOYING MEDICAL SUTURES - The invention relates to a medical suture ( | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110213385 | DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GASTRIC REDUCTION - A delivery catheter for a gastric reduction system includes an elongate torqueable tube, a needle translatably disposed within the torqueable tube, an anchor translatably disposed within the needle and a stabilization device for holding a distal tip of the torqueable tube against a tissue wall. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110218557 | METHODS OF MENISCUS REPAIR - Methods of repairing knee meniscus tears are described which use suture passer devices and suture shuttles. These methods may be used with continuous suture passing, so that the suture passer device may remain on or in the tissue while passing a suture shuttle, and therefore a suture, back and forth from one side of the tissue to the other. These methods may be used minimally invasively for repairing meniscus tissue while avoiding further damage to the meniscus. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110224699 | ARTICULATING SUTURING DEVICE AND METHOD - Devices, systems, and methods for suturing of body lumens allow the suturing of vascular puncture sites located at the distal end of a percutaneous tissue tract. An elongated articulated foot near a distal end of a shaft is inserted through the penetration and actuated so that the foot extends along the lumenal axis. The foot carries suturing attachment cuffs, and needles are advanced from the shaft through the vessel wall outside of the penetration and into engagement with the needle cuffs after the foot has been drawn proximally up against the endothelial surface of the blood vessel. The cross-section of the shaft within the tissue tract can be minimized by laterally deflecting the needles as they leave the shaft, while tapered depressions within the foot can guide the advancing needles into engagement with the cuffs. The cuffs lockingly engage the needles and can be withdrawn proximally along the needle paths and through the tissue tract so as to form a loop of suture across the puncture. The articulating foot may be realigned with the shaft and withdrawn proximally through the tissue tract without dilating the tissue tract. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110230899 | SURGICAL DEVICE FOR FEEDING AT LEAST ONE SUTURE THREAD THROUGH THE EDGE AREA OF A TISSUE OPENING OF AN INDIVIDUAL AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A DEVICE - In order to guide at least one suture thread ( | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110245850 | SUTURE PASSER SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TONGUE OR OTHER TISSUE SUSPENSION AND COMPRESSION - Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110270280 | SUTURING AND REPAIRING TISSUE USING IN VIVO SUTURE LOADING - Described herein are methods of repairing tissue using a suture passer configured to relasably couple to a suturing element to pass the suturing element (and therefore a suture) through the tissue so that that the suture may be loaded and/or unloaded while the suture passer is positioned within the tissue. Thus, the methods described herein may allow the suture passer to be loaded without requiring that the suture passer be removed from within the patient or in some variations from off of the target tissue. The same suture or multiple sutures may thus be loaded and/or unloaded onto the suture passer, allowing the formation of complex suture patterns without requiring the extra steps of withdrawing the suture passer from the patient (or target tissue). Knotless suture anchors are also described. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110276064 | Soft Tissue Defect Device and Associated Method - The present invention provides instrumentation and associated methods for suture-based soft tissue repair. The disclosed instrument is configured to pass suture through tissue, relocate the instrument, and retrieve the suture, thereby creating a stitch. These steps can be repeated any number of times to create multiple stitches through the tissue. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110288564 | ENDOSCOPIC SUTURING MACHINE - An endoscopic suturing machine, having a housing with a housing upper part for receiving drives for the stitch-forming tools, a housing shaft adjoining the housing upper part for a receiving device for transmitting the motions generated by the drives to the stitch-forming tools, which have at least one needle bar guided in the housing shaft with a thread-carrying needle and a shuttle cooperating with same for forming stitches. The shuttle is received by a shuttle bar. The needle bar ( | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110295279 | Method and Apparatus for Passing a Suture - A suture passing instrument includes an operation handle, a cannulated needle member, a suture pusher, and a guide tube. The handle has an actuator movable between first and second positions. The needle member extends from the operation handle. The needle member has a curved end portion. The needle member has an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a bore extending through the needle member for receiving a suture. The suture pusher is movable within the needle member from a retracted position to an extended position. The guide tube has a body telescopically receiving a retriever loop. The loop is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A suture can be moved by the suture pusher and captured by the retriever loop. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110301622 | MEDICAL IMPLEMENT FOR MANIPULATING SUTURES PARTICULARLY USEFUL IN ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY - A medical implement particularly useful in arthroscopic sutures, includes: a handle having a proximal end configured for manual gripping by a user, a distal end, an internal passageway extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and an intermediate portion formed with a recess extending from the outer surface to the internal passageway. A shuttle is movable through the passageway and has an intermediate portion exposed within the recess for manipulation by a user gripping the handle, and a suture-receiving-element at its distal movable axially through the distal end of the handle. A roller is rotatably mounted to the handle to underlie the exposed portion of the shuttle such that, after a suture has been received by the suture-receiving-element of the shuttle, a user, gripping the handle, may manipulate the shuttle with respect to the distal end of the handle by thumb-pressing the exposed portion of the shuttle against the roller and rotating the roller. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110306992 | INSTRUMENTS FOR DELIVERING TRANSFASCIAL SUTURES, TRANSFASCIAL SUTURE ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS OF TRANSFASCIAL SUTURING - An instrument for delivering a suture transfascially may include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and a pair of needles that are moveable to an extended position beyond the end of the shaft. One or more sutures are carried by the instrument and may be delivered transfascially. A transfascial suture assembly includes a suture having a first segment, a second segment, and an intermediate segment therebetween. A force distributing member is locatable at the intermediate segment. Suture retainers may be provided at the end of each suture segment, and may have a connection that is moveable relative to the portion of the suture segment connected therewith. A method of delivering transfascial sutures includes inserting a twin-needle instrument loaded with one or more sutures into an abdominal cavity and deploying, from within the abdominal cavity, the suture carrying needles through a soft tissue repair patch and then through at least part of the abdominal wall. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110313433 | LAPAROSCOPIC SUTURE DEVICE WITH ASYNCHRONOUS IN-LINE NEEDLE MOVEMENT - An apparatus comprises a shaft, a needle throwing arm, and a needle receiving arm. The arms are movable asynchronously along planes that are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft. The arms selectively engage a surgical needle, such that the throwing arm may pass the surgical needle through tissue for receipt by the receiving arm, and the receiving arm may then pass the surgical needle back to the throwing arm for additional stitching. The arms may pivot about a common pivot. Such versions may include a single actuator for both arms or separate actuators for the arms. The arms may also pivot about their own respective axles, which may facilitate a forward reset motion for a needle, allowing the needle to continue travelling along a circular path in a single direction to create several stitches. The apparatus may also convert reciprocating movement of actuators into rotational motion. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120016385 | METHOD FOR SUTURING - A suture insertion device ( | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120022560 | ENDOSCOPIC SUTURING DEVICE WITH SUTURE MANAGEMENT - An endoscopic tissue suturing device may include a suturing head configured to capture tissue at a tissue capture region. A needle can move through the region to place stitches in the tissue. A control handle includes an actuator coupled to the needle. The control handle supports a suture spool about an axis of rotation. The axis of the spool may be parallel to the direction of movement of the actuator. The spool surface may be tapered at an angle relative to the axis of rotation. A spool end wall may be configured to urge the spool in an axial direction. The handle may provide external access to a portion of the suture. A cover may be provided to cover the spool. The cover may be rotatably supported on the handle independent of the spool. Suture material may be wound onto the spool by rotating the cover. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120029536 | ENDOSCOPIC SUTURING DEVICE - An endoscopic suturing device that can be employed to suture tissue using endoscopic techniques to place one or more stitches in tissue during a single intubation of an endoscope. The suturing device may include a suturing capsule with a suction chamber that is configured to capture tissue that is to be sutured. A needle is movable along a pathway across the suction chamber to penetrate and place stitches in the captured tissue. A catch is located distal to the suction chamber to receive and retain the suture during a stitching sequence. The catch may be movable along the needle pathway and configured to release the suture when the catch moves a predetermined distance along the pathway. The catch may be configured so that a predetermined amount of force is required to move the catch the predetermined distance required to release the suture. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120035626 | PLACING SUTURES - A suturing instrument is configured for to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, trans-vaginal, or endoscopic surgical procedures. The suturing instrument includes an elongate body member, a needle exit port, a needle receiving port, and a needle deployment mechanism. The suturing instrument eliminates the need for a preassembled needle and suture and reduces or eliminates the possibility of needle loss during suturing. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120046672 | ENDOSCOPIC SUTURE SYSTEMS - A surgical instrument for applying sutures to tissue includes a needle deployment mechanism and a catch mechanism. In some embodiments, the needle deployment mechanism employs a linear path. Alternatively, it can employ a curved needle. The surgical instrument may include a rotatable head, a bend, and/or a malleable elongated body member formable into various shapes. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120071901 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR DELIVERING SUTURES IN TISSUE - Methods and devices for driving a suture assembly employing elastically pre-shaped needles for piercing a tissue. The pre-shaped needles are held in a constrained state and can revert to a natural pre-shaped state prior to or during ejection from the device before entry into tissue allowing for the suture to follow a defined path similar to the pre-shaped needle such that removal of the needle allows for subsequent securing of the suture in or around tissue. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071902 | PERFORATION SUTURING METHOD - A perforation suturing method has the steps of: inserting a needle into a wall of a hollow organ at a periphery of the perforation formed in the hollow organ, and piercing the wall; withdrawing the needle from the wall after delivery of an anchor attaching suture thread from the needle, and having the suture thread transit the wall; and tightening the suture thread so that the mated insertion points at the time of insertion of the needle into the wall approximately coincide after having the needle pierce the wall at the periphery of the perforation a plurality of times, and making surfaces of the wall where the insertion points are formed coincide with each other. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120130403 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF HEMORRHOIDS - A device and method for treatment of hemorrhoids, in which the devices includes: a housing insertable into the rectum; a tissue port configured to receive a tissue segment containing at least a portion of a hemorrhoidal blood vessel; opposing needle chambers including at least one pair of corresponding needles coupled by a suture in which the pair of corresponding needles are substantially opposite to one another and in an active position substantially aligned with the tissue segment; a needle driver that advances the pair of corresponding needles through the tissue segment to encircle a portion of the hemorrhoidal blood vessel with the suture, thereby ligating the hemorrhoidal blood vessel; and an actuator coupled to at least one of the needle chambers that actuates the needle chambers such that another pair of corresponding needles is in the active position. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120130404 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SUTURING - An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120143222 | SUTURE SYSTEM AND ASSEMBLY - A suture system configured to place suture in tissue includes a tool and a suture assembly. The tool includes a proximal portion, a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat, and a needle that is movable through a needle exit port formed in the proximal portion of the tool to a cavity formed in the distal end of the tool. The suture assembly includes a leader that is insertable into the cavity. The leader has a distal end attached to a length of suture and a band having at least two prongs extending from a proximal edge of the band. The prongs are configured to engage with the needle to allow the needle to extract the leader from the cavity and deliver it to the needle exit port. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120179174 | SURGICAL DEVICE - A device for automatically providing needles to a sealing apparatus for sealing a puncture in an anatomical structure, the sealing apparatus including a needle insertion lumen and a needle pusher channel having a needle pusher disposed therein. The device may include a housing coupled to the sealing apparatus and a cartridge disposed in the housing. The cartridge has a first and a second needle slot extending from a distal end of the cartridge to a proximal end of the cartridge. The first and second needle slots have first and second needles disposed, e.g., pre-loaded, therein, respectively. The cartridge is moveable relative to the housing between a first position in which the first needle slot is aligned with the needle insertion lumen and the needle pushing channel, and a second position in which the second needle slot is aligned with the needle insertion lumen and the needle pushing channel. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120203251 | Gastropexy Kit - A gastropexy kit includes a plurality of safety needle assemblies. Each safety needle assembly includes a needle and a stylus. A fastener is positioned in a distal end of the needle. The fastener is coupled to one end of the suture and a suture retention hub is coupled to an opposite end of the suture. The fastener is deployed in a patient's stomach via the needle and stylus which has a blunt distal end which extends through the needle to push the fastener out of the needle and to blunt the needle. The suture retention hub is positioned on a patient's skin and adjustably tensions the suture, which, desirably, is a resorbable suture. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120215235 | ENDOSCOPIC TISSUE APPOSITION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - An endoscopic tissue apposition device that includes a vacuum chamber configured to securely hold a portion of tissue therein, the vacuum chamber being defined by a proximal wall and a distal wall opposite to the proximal wall. Working and vacuum channels are provided in communication with the vacuum chamber. A portion of tissue may be held in the vacuum chamber when vacuum is applied in the vacuum chamber through the vacuum channel. A carrier needle is disposed on a proximal side of the vacuum chamber and is longitudinally advanceable into and across the vacuum chamber, while a punch needle is disposed on a distal side of the vacuum chamber and is configured to receive the carrier needle therein. A hold and release mechanism holds and releases the punch needle to facilitate joining portions of tissue together. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120277767 | SUTURE PASSER DEVICE AND SUTURE NEEDLE - A suture passer device includes a shaft, a handle, an end effector, and a suture capturing member. The shaft has a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The handle assembly is coupled to the shaft proximal end. The end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end. The suture capturing member is within the end effector, is coupled to the handle assembly independently of the shaft, and is configured to capture a suture within the end effector. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277768 | Axial Stitching Devices - An endoscopic stitching device is provided including an end effector configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of functions; and a single actuation cable operatively connected to the end effector, wherein the actuation cable is capable of effecting operation of at least the pair of functions. The actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of functions upon an axial translation thereof, and a second operation of the pair of functions upon a rotation thereof. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120283753 | SUTURE PASSER DEVICES AND METHODS - Devices, systems and methods for passing a suture. In general, described herein are suturing devices, such as suture passers, as well as methods of suturing tissue. These suture passing devices are dual deployment suture passers in which a first distal jaw member is moveable at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the device and the second distal jaw member is retractable proximally to the distal end region of the elongate body and/or the first jaw member. Methods of suturing tissue using a dual deployment suture passer are also described. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120283754 | SUTURE PASSER DEVICES AND METHODS - Devices, systems and methods for passing a suture. In general, described herein are suturing devices, such as suture passers, as well as methods of suturing tissue. These suture passing devices may include dual deployment suture passers in which a first distal jaw member is movable at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the device and the second distal jaw member is retractable proximally to the distal end region of the elongate body and/or the first jaw member. Also described herein are suture passers in which the tissue penetrator passing the suture travels in an approximately sigmoidal pathway, with the distal end of the tissue penetrator extending distally from one jaw of the device. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120283755 | SUTURING INSTRUMENT - Suturing instruments in accordance with the invention are dimensioned and configured to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, transvaginal, laparoscopic, or endoscopic surgical procedures. In some embodiments, the suturing instruments include a distal portion that is deflectably and/or pivotally coupled to the remainder of the instrument for improved maneuverability and functionality during surgery. In other embodiments, the suturing instruments are capable of housing multiple needle and suture assemblies and/or reloading the needle and suture assembly without removing the instrument from the surgical site. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120296347 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SUTURING TISSUE - A suture applying device includes a shaft which carries a pair of needles near its distal end. The needles are joined by a length of suture, and the shaft is used to both introduce the needles into a lumen of a body structure and to draw the needles back through tissue on either side of the puncture site. After the needles have passed through the tissue, they are captured by a needle receiver and drawn outward through the tract, leaving a loop of suture behind to close the puncture site near the body lumen. The suture can then be tied or otherwise secured to close the puncture site. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120296348 | APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING AND SECURING TISSUE - Apparatus for manipulating and securing tissue are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably dispose through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. The stabilizing members can be adapted to become angled relative to longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular member. Moreover, one or all the articulation controls and functions can be integrated into a singular handle assembly connectable to the tissue manipulation assembly via a rigid or flexible tubular body. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120303046 | Method and Apparatus for Passing a Suture - A suture passing instrument including an operation handle, a needle member, and a suture holder assembly. The operation handle has at least one actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The needle member extends from the operation handle. The needle member has a curved end portion and defines an eyelet extending therethrough. The suture holder assembly extends from the operation handle and has a movable suture carrier at a distal end configured to hold a suture. The movable suture carrier has a suture pusher telescopically and movably received in the movable suture carrier. The suture carrier is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The suture pusher is movable beyond the suture carrier to carry the suture through the eyelet. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120316580 | OFFSET JAW SUTURING DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHODS - Improved medical suturing devices, systems, and methods for maintaining a position and orientation of a suture needle at a fixed location relative to a suturing device. An exemplary device include a clamp having opposing grasping surfaces for grasping the needle at a first location, and a needle contacting surface for contacting the needle at a second location, the second location a distance axially away from the first location so as to inhibit unintended movement of the needle relative to the device, which may include rotation of the needle about the first location and rotation of the needle about its axis. In many embodiments, the device includes a first and second clamp and a mechanism for alternating grasping of the needle between the first and second clamp. The device may also be incorporated into a single-clamp needle grasping device. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20130006277 | SUTURING DEVICE WITH SPLIT ARM AND METHOD OF SUTURING TISSUE - A device for suturing an opening in a tissue, having an elongated shaft, at least two arms movable to a deployed positioning which the arms are non-perpendicular to the shaft, the arms having needle receiving portions; and needles advanceable longitudinally along the shaft toward the needle receiving portions, the needles exiting through side walls of the shaft at a location proximal to the arms. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130012964 | PORT CLOSURE DEVICE AND METHOD - A surgical device for creating a secure closure of a laparoscopic port opening or similar wound. The device may employ a tissue grasping notch that grasps the fascia layer as a suture-bearing needle is deployed from the distal end of the device through the fascia layer and into a needle-capture mechanism. The fascia layer may then be released, the device turned and the fascia layer grasped and a second suture-bearing needle deployed. The two needles may be connected by a suture, and as the device is removed from the wound, the suture extends through the fascia on one side, across the wound on the deep side, and through the fascia on the other side, thus creating a secure closure of the port wound through the fascia layer. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130030450 | SUTURE PASSER - Sutures can be placed in difficult to access areas of the human body with devices, and related methods, utilizing a suture carrier with a sharpened tip and a notch for holding a formed suture tip. The devices and methods can be used in conjunction with both endosurgical and traditional open surgery | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130041387 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING A HIP JOINT, INCLUDING THE PROVISION AND USE OF A NOVEL SUTURE PASSER - A suture passer comprising:
| 02-14-2013 |
| 20130041388 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUTURING TISSUE - A suturing device of the present invention is in the form a compact, light-weight handheld device that includes a needle and suture assembly, a mechanism for gripping and releasing the needle/suture (a “needle transfer mechanism” or “needle shuttle mechanism”), safely capturing the needle/suture upon exit from the patient's tissue, and returning the needle to a position such that the process of delivering additional sutures to the patient can be repeated. A safety shield mechanism ensures the user is protected from the needle at all times. The device of the present invention accommodates the right or left-handed user, rests comfortably in the user's hand, allows sufficient visualization of the procedure site, and permits the user to either control penetration depth of the needle or default to a device-determined depth. The present device permits the user to utilize a wrist-rotation (pivoting) suture delivery technique. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130072948 | SUTURE PASSER DEVICE AND SUTURE NEEDLE - A suture passer device includes a shaft, a handle, an end effector, and a suture capturing member. The shaft has a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The handle assembly is coupled to the shaft proximal end. The end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end. The suture capturing member is coaxial with and slideably coupled to the end effector, is coupled to the handle assembly, and is configured to capture a suture within the end effector. A suture needle includes a suture needle body and a suture needle tip, the suture needle body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is thicker than the second portion, and the first portion is configured to mate with a needle spacer that enables actuation of a suture needle passer device. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130079801 | SUTURING DEVICE WITH SUTURING CAPSULE REMOVAL MECHANISM - A suturing assembly includes a handle and a head located distal to the handle. The handle includes an actuator coupled to a distal half of the handle. The head defines a head perimeter and includes a needle port and a capsule cavity located within the head perimeter. The needle port stores a needle that is connected with the actuator by a rod and the capsule cavity is sized to retain a suture capsule attached to a length of suture. A release mechanism is attached to the rod and located on the distal half of the handle. The needle is movable within the head perimeter to engage with the suture capsule and place the suture capsule into the needle port, and the release mechanism is operable to move the rod a distance in a proximal direction to separate the suture capsule from the needle. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130090671 | ENDOSCOPE SUTURING DEVICE - An endoscopic suturing device for suturing a surgical site in the body using an endoscope. Each of first, second and third modules ( | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130103056 | PLACING SUTURES - A suturing instrument is configured for to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, trans-vaginal, or endoscopic surgical procedures. The suturing instrument includes an elongate body member, a needle exit port, a needle receiving port, and a needle deployment mechanism. The suturing instrument eliminates the need for a preassembled needle and suture and reduces or eliminates the possibility of needle loss during suturing. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130110136 | Flexible Endoscopic Stitching Devices | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130123812 | LARGE BORE LOCATION DEVICE AND METHODS - A vascular closure system includes a body portion, an anchor, at least one suture member, and a plurality of needles. The anchor assembly includes a hub and a wire assembly. The hub has at least one aperture defined in a sidewall thereof. The wire assembly includes an actuator member extending proximally through the body portion and hub, and at least one pre-formed wire having a free proximal end and a distal end that is connected to the actuator member. Withdrawing the actuator member extends the proximal end of the at least one pre-formed wire out of the at least one aperture to capture a portion of the vessel wall between the pre-formed wire and the body portion. The plurality of needles extend through the vessel wall adjacent to the vessel puncture and are configured to connect to the at least one suture member. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130123813 | Soft Tissue Repair Device and Associated Methods - A fibrous tissue repair device includes first and second tubular anchors having corresponding longitudinal passages. The tissue repair device includes corresponding first and second inserters. Each inserter has a shaft with a distal portion received in the longitudinal passage of the corresponding tubular anchor. A flexible strand couples the first and second anchors. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130123814 | PLACING SUTURES - A suturing instrument including multiple needle and suture assemblies that are at least partially disposed within the suturing instrument allows a surgeon to place multiple sutures intercorporally without having to remove the instrument from a surgical site and reload the instrument between placing each suture. The suturing instrument includes an elongate body member that includes a distal portion defining an opening. The suturing instrument further includes a first needle disposed within the opening, a second needle disposed within the opening, and a needle deployment mechanism disposed at least partially within the elongate body member and connectable sequentially to the first needle and the second needle. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130123815 | Flexible Endoscopic Stitching Devices - An endoscopic stitching device includes a tool assembly having a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another, each jaw defining a needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof; a drive assembly including a pair of concentric, individually rotatably and translatably supported barrels, each barrel defining a central lumen therethrough; and a pair of axially translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw. The stitching device further includes a center rod slidably and rotatably disposed through the lumen of the barrels, a distal end of the center rod being operatively engaged with the pair of jaws. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130138122 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SUTURING INTRACARDIAC DEFECTS - In accordance with the present invention there is provided a suturing device. The suturing device includes a length of suture that will be delivered to the site of the PFO and placed through the tissue adjacent the opening to close the PFO. As described in greater detail below, the suture is advanced through the tissue surrounding the opening by a pair of needles that penetrate the tissue adjacent to the opening. A knot is then loosely tied with the length of suture and advanced to the site of the PFO. The tails of the suture extending from the knot are then cut and removed. It is also contemplated that a pre-formed or pre-tied knot may be disposed on the device, wherein after deployment of the suture through the tissue adjacent to the PFO and removal of the device a loop of suture having a pre-tied knot will remain, wherein the pre-tied knot may then be tightened to close the PFO. Further still it is contemplated that other means may be utilized to retain the sutures. For example, it is contemplated that a suture clip or other clip like device may be utilized to retain the suture in a position such that the PFO is closed. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130144316 | LARGE BORE CLOSURE DEVICE AND METHODS - A vascular closure system includes a body portion, an anchor, a suture carrying portion, and a plurality of needles. The body portion has a distal end surface. The anchor is positionable through a vessel puncture in a vessel wall of a vessel. The anchor defines a vessel contact surface, wherein withdrawal of the anchor captures a portion of the vessel wall between the vessel contact surface and the distal end surface. The suture carrying portion is positionable through the vessel puncture and carries at least one suture member. The plurality of needles extend through the portion of the vessel wall adjacent to the vessel puncture and are configured to connect to the at least one suture member. Withdrawal of the plurality of needles through the portion of the vessel wall positions the at least one suture member through the portion of the vessel wall. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130158569 | SUTURING INSTRUMENT - The suturing instrument includes an elongate member having an articulating distal portion biased offset from the elongate member, and a sheath slideably disposed about the elongate member. The user positions the sheath in contact with the articulating distal portion to actuate the distal portion relative to the elongate member. The articulating distal portion is pivotally coupled to the elongate member for improved maneuverability within the body of a patient during surgical procedures. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130178871 | DRIVE SYSTEM FOR TISSUE REPAIR - A suture drive system configured to assist in attaching a suture to tissue within a patient, and in at least one application, repairing meniscal tears and shoulder tissue tears is disclosed. The suture drive system may be interchangeable in that the system can be adapted to insert different suture systems into tissue of a patient using the same device. In particular, in one embodiment configured to employ an inside-out suture delivery method, the suture drive system may advance two combinations of push rods and two swaged needles having one or more sutures attached thereto. In another embodiment configured to employ an outside-in suture delivery method, the suture drive system may advance two combinations of push rods and drive shafts to deliver two anchors releasably affixed to the distal ends of the drive shafts into tissue to close an opening in the tissue. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130211428 | ENDOSCOPIC SUTURE SYSTEMS - A surgical instrument for applying sutures to tissue includes a needle deployment mechanism and a catch mechanism. In some embodiments, the needle deployment mechanism employs a linear path. Alternatively, it can employ a curved needle. The surgical instrument may include a rotatable head, a bend, and/or a malleable elongated body member formable into various shapes. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130231687 | SURGICAL SUTURING LATCH - Suturing systems may comprise a cartridge and a drive unit which are detachable from each other. The cartridge often has a cartridge body, a plurality of jaws, and a cartridge interface. The drive unit has a drive unit body, a linkage, and a drive unit interface which will typically include a latch. A latch input is coupled to the latch so that a movement of the input moves the latch to the released position. The cartridge interface or the drive unit interface includes a channel while the other includes a shaft which is fittingly receivable in the channel. Opposed motions of the input and cartridge during cartridge removal avoid inadvertent detachment during use. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130238001 | Suturing Devices and Methods for Closing a Patent Foramen Ovale - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for closing a patent foramen ovale. Some of the disclosed apparatuses include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, with first and second suture clasp arms adapted to hold end portions of a suture when in an extended position. A first suture catch mechanism is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a proximal-to-distal direction to engage the suture end held by the first suture clasp arm, and a second suture catch mechanism is slidably housed in the elongate body and moves in a distal-to-proximal direction to suture end held by the second suture clasp arm. The first suture clasp arm can be positioned around the septum primum to deliver a suture thereto, and the second suture clasp arm can be positioned around the septum secundum to deliver a suture thereto. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130253542 | SUTURING DEVICE - In some embodiments, the present invention discloses a suturing device including an elongate member having a head portion, a tail portion and a needle receiving portion provided on the head portion. The needle receiving portion has a recess that is configured to receive a suture and hold it within the recess. The needle receiving portion is fixed with respect to an opening defined at the head portion. The suturing device further includes a needle having a retracted state and a deployed state. The needle includes a needle notch at a distal portion of the needle. The needle is configured to enter the recess of the needle receiving portion and receive the suture within the needle notch. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130267967 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUTURING BODY LUMENS - An apparatus for suturing body lumens is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible elongated member that has a proximal end, a distal end, a central passage and multiple needle lumens extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. The flexible elongated member further includes an elongated subsection spanning from the end of the needle lumens in the elongated member to a barrel portion that includes corresponding needle lumens on the proximal end of the elongated member. The elongated subsection provides sufficient space between the needles and the barrel portion to allow transapical insertion of the elongated member into a body lumen. The apparatus further includes needles disposed within and advancable from the needle lumens. The apparatus also includes a handle disposed at the proximal end of the elongated member. The handle is operable to retract the needles through the needle lumens toward the handle at the proximal end. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130267968 | Surgical Treatment System and Method for Performing an Anastomosis Between Two Hollow Ducts in a Patient, in Particular Between the Bladder and the Urethra - The treatment system according to the invention comprises: suture members ( | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130282029 | SURGICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD - An implant manipulator may have a distal end that retains an implant, a proximal end, and an intermediate portion between the ends. The intermediate portion may have a cross-sectional shape that extends along a nonlinear pathway. The intermediate portion may have a selectively bendable portion in which the cross-sectional shape varies to facilitate bending when desired. The implant manipulator may be a needle for a suture passer, with a suture capture feature at the distal end. The suture capture feature may have first and second members that flex apart to permit entry of the suture into a suture capture hole wherein the suture is retained until released. A suture passer may receive the needle in a bore shaped to change the cross-sectional shape to facilitate or restrict bending of the needle, as needed. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130282030 | SUTURING SYSTEM AND ASSEMBLY - A suturing assembly is provided that is configured to pull a capsule attached to a suture through tissue. The suturing assembly includes a shaft aligned on a longitudinal axis of the suturing assembly, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat. The proximal portion houses a needle that is movable through a needle exit port. The proximal portion of the head and the needle exit port are both aligned on the longitudinal axis. A proximal side of the distal end of the head defines a cavity adapted to receive the capsule and a distal side of the distal end of the head defines a slot adapted to allow the suture to pass through the distal end of the head and into the cavity. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130296893 | Segmentally Rigid Suture and Suturing Technique - The suture device of the present disclosure disposes rigid components on suture, enabling the device to resist tensile and compressive loads and to protect soft tissue from suture pull-through. The suture device generally comprises of at least one rigid segment as well as a standard high tensile strength suture to create a segmentally rigid suture device. The at least one rigid segment may be comprised of any of a number of materials that are appropriate for use in the human body and provide the desired strength and stiffness for a particular application. Although the segmentally rigid suture device could be used with any prior art suture configuration, a grip stitch, a knot tying grip stitch, a straight-line grip stitch, and a reverse straight-line grip stitch suture configuration are described. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130296894 | SINGLE CATHETER HEART REPAIR DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USE - A system and method for repairing a human heart uses a catheter with an extendable tip and multiple tissue fasteners. The catheter is advanced into a human heart with the extendable tip adjacent a first tissue portion. The extendable tip is extended to form a tissue-receiving opening, the first tissue portion is positioned within the tissue-receiving opening, and the extendable tip is withdrawn to mechanically hold the first tissue portion. A first tissue fastener is secured to the first tissue portion, which is then released from the tissue-receiving opening. A second tissue fastener may subsequently be passed through a second tissue portion. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130317525 | FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPIC STITCHING DEVICES - An endoscopic stitching device includes a tool assembly having a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another, each jaw defining a needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof; a drive assembly including a pair of concentric, individually rotatably and translatably supported barrels, each barrel defining a central lumen therethrough; and a pair of axially translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw. The stitching device further includes a center rod slidably and rotatably disposed through the lumen of the barrels, a distal end of the center rod being operatively engaged with the pair of jaws. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130331865 | SUTURE PASSER DEVICES AND METHODS - Devices, systems and methods for passing a suture. In general, described herein are suturing devices, such as suture passers, as well as methods of suturing tissue. These suture passing devices may include dual deployment suture passers in which a first distal jaw member is moveable at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the device and the second distal jaw member is retractable proximally to the distal end region of the elongate body and/or the first jaw member. Also described herein are suture passers in which the tissue penetrator passing the suture travels in an approximately sigmoidal pathway, with the distal end of the tissue penetrator extending distally from one jaw of the device. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130345724 | SUTURE PASSER SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TONGUE OR OTHER TISSUE SUSPENSION AND COMPRESSION - Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for palate or tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the palate or tongue, are also described. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140052159 | SUTURING DEVICE FOR TREAMENT OF PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS - The invention relates to a suturing device used to place sutures inside the human body during various medical procedures. The suturing device includes an elongate body member, a needle deployment mechanism and a needle receiving portion. The elongate body member has a distal portion that defines an opening. The needle deployment mechanism is disposed at least partially within the elongate body member for moving a needle out of the opening at the distal portion of the elongate body member into a tissue; and the needle receiving portion is provided at the distal portion of the elongate body member to capture the needle. The needle receiving portion has a non-planar surface with walls that are non-parallel with respect to a longitudinal direction of the needle receiving portion such that the walls converge to form an aperture formed in the needle receiving portion to receive the needle. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140058415 | WOUND CLOSURE DEVICE INCLUDING DIRECT-DRIVEN NEEDLE - A suturing device includes a housing, a rod, a ferrule assembly, and a needle. The housing defines a guide lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The rod is engaged with the housing and extends distally therefrom. The ferrule assembly is disposed at a distal end of the rod and is configured to releasably retain a ferrule therein. The ferrule is adapted to retain of a portion of a suture therein. The needle is configured for translation through the guide lumen defined within the housing. A distal end of the needle is configured to engage the ferrule within the ferrule assembly for removal of the ferrule from the ferrule assembly. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140148825 | SUTURING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SUTURING AN ANATOMIC VALVE - Suturing apparatuses configured to suture biological tissue, such as an anatomical valve. The suturing apparatuses can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. A protective member may be used to inhibit contact between a distal end of a needle and surrounding tissue. Methods for suturing bodily tissue such as an anatomical valve may be performed with the suturing apparatuses. The suturing apparatuses may be used to suture adjacent valve leaflets or the base of a valve in order to treat or repair the valve. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140163585 | SUTURING DEVICE - A suturing device for suturing a portion of biological tissue includes a needle attached to a suture, a needle holder that releasably holds the needle, and a needle driver adapted to be advanced and retracted substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the suturing device. A distal needle holder adapted to releasably hold the needle is positioned in a distal position relative to the portion of biological tissue and a distal end of the needle driver is positioned in a proximal position relative to the portion of biological tissue. The needle is positioned in either the proximal position or the distal position. The needle driver is moved longitudinally in a first direction along a path substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis such that the needle and suture pass through the portion of biological tissue, thereby forming a suture incision through which the suture passes. By repeating the above-described processes, a series of stitches is thereby formed. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140171975 | Suturing Device with Reusable Shaft and Disposable Cartridge - A surgical suturing system comprises a reusable shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end has a receiver and a rotary drive. A reusable actuator is connected to the proximal end of the shaft. A disposable cartridge is adapted to be attached to and detached from the receiver. The cartridge comprises an arced track, an arced needle positioned in the track having a leading end and a trailing end, a length of suture connected to the trailing end, a reciprocating needle driver operative to engage and move the needle in the arced circular track, and a transmission operatively connected to the needle driver having a rotary input adapted to couple to the rotary drive. The reusable shaft and actuator may be autoclavable. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140171976 | Transmission for Driving Circular Needle - A surgical suturing device comprises an arced needle track, an arced needle positioned in the needle track, and a length of suture connected to needle. A reciprocating needle driver is operative to engage and move the needle in the needle track. A rotary input rotates about an axis. A link has a proximal end connected to the rotary input and a distal end connected to the needle driver. Rotation of the rotary input in a first angular direction translates the needle driver in a second angular direction opposite of the first angular direction. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140171977 | Pawl Mechanism in Circular Needle Applier - A surgical suturing device comprises a needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and an arced body between the leading and trailing ends. A length of suture is connected to the needle. A needle driver is adapted to engage and rotate the needle in a circular path in a first rotational direction. A pawl is adapted to engage the trailing end of the needle to prevent the needle from rotating in a second rotational direction opposite of the first rotational direction. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140171978 | Needle Driver and Pawl Mechanism for Circular Needle Applier - A surgical suturing device comprises a needle having a leading end, a trailing end, an arced body between the leading and trailing ends, and two steps located at antipodal positions on the body. A length of suture is connected to the needle. A needle driver reciprocates at least 180 degrees between a driven position and a returned position. The needle driver is adapted to engage the needle steps to rotate the needle in a circular path in first rotational direction. A pawl is positioned adjacent the driven position of the needle driver. The pawl is adapted to engage the needle steps to prevent the needle from rotating in a second rotational direction opposite of the first rotational direction. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140171979 | Surgical Needle with Steps and Flats - A surgical needle for use in a circular needle applier comprises a distal leading end, a proximal trailing end, and an arced body between the leading and trailing ends. The body has a medial face and a lateral face. A first step on the body is adapted to be engaged by a circular needle applier. The first step is positioned distally from the leading end. A longitudinal flat extends proximally from the first step. The flat defines a generally D-shaped cross sectional shape in the body. A second step on the body is adapted to be engaged by a circular needle applier. The second step is positioned about 180 degrees from the first step. A length of suture is connected to the trailing end. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140171980 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING A HIP JOINT, INCLUDING THE PROVISION AND USE OF A NOVEL SUTURE PASSER - A suture passer comprising:
| 06-19-2014 |
| 20140180312 | ARTICULATING SUTURING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device for closing an opening in tissue includes a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a channel disposed between the proximal and distal ends. A pair of pins are disposed within the channel and cooperate with a slidable and axially movable foot. The foot extends distally from the channel with a flexible guidebody extending from a distal foot end of the foot. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140180313 | Suture Passing Instrumentation and Methods of use Thereof - The instant disclosure is directed to methods and devices for passing suture bi-directionally using a hybrid approach. Embodiments of a method described herein include steps of advancing a suture at least partially through tissue; and retrieving the suture; wherein one of the steps of advancing and retrieving comprises manipulating the suture directly, and wherein the other step of advancing and retrieving comprises manipulating a suture trap to which the suture is coupled. Embodiments of a device that may be used to practice the method embodiments include a bi-directional suture passer having a proximal portion for holding a portion of a suture therein; a distal tip coupled to the proximal portion and defining a tissue receiving gap there-between; a reciprocally moveable suture passing member housed within the proximal portion for translating the suture portion between the proximal portion and the distal tip; and a suture trap operable to be detachably coupled to the distal tip for capturing the suture passed by the suture passing member. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140188139 | OSTEOTOMY GUIDE AND METHOD - Improved surgical instruments are provided including improved suture passers, improved drill guides for forming holes in bones adjacent a joint at locations referenced to the joint anatomy, and improved osteotomy guides. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140207158 | Method And Apparatus For Passing A Suture - A suture passing instrument includes an operation handle, a cannulated needle member, a suture pusher, a suture shuttle and a guide tube. The needle member has a curved end portion. The needle member has an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a bore extending through the needle member for receiving a suture. The suture pusher is movable within the needle member from a retracted position to an extended position. The suture shuttle has at least one bead and is loaded into the bore cannulated needle and movable along the bore by the suture pusher. The guide tube has a body telescopically receiving a retriever loop. The loop is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A suture can be moved by the suture pusher and captured by the retriever loop. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140222034 | SUTURE PASSERS - Suture passer devices, including suture passers configured with an axially slideable jaw that includes a tissue-penetrating distal end region. Also described are suture passers including jaws housing tissue penetrating needles to pass suture that are substantially thin. Methods of using such devices to pass a suture through tissue are provided. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140222035 | PLACING MULTIPLE SUTURES - A suturing instrument for placing multiple sutures include an elongate body engaged to a handle. A suturing head extends from a distal end of the elongate body, and the suturing head is articulable relative to the elongate body. Both a first needle carrier and a second needle carrier are movable into and out of the suturing head. A first actuator allows controlled movement of the first needle carrier, and this first actuator extends from a proximal end of the handle. A second actuator allows controlled movement of the second needle carrier, and this second actuator also extends from the proximal end of the handle. The suturing head can be articulated within a range of about 0 degrees to about 30 degrees, as measured from a longitudinal axis running along the length of the elongate body, and this variable articulation angle of the head allows deployment of the first needle carrier and the second needle carrier at various orientations with respect to the longitudinal axis. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140236193 | Medical Fastening Device - A medical fastening device is provided. The fastening device may include a first arcuate needle adapted to rotate about a first axis in a first direction, entering through a first section of one of a tissue and a prosthetic material, and exiting through a second section of one of the tissue and the prosthetic material; a second arcuate needle adapted to rotate about a second axis in a second direction, entering through the second section of one of the tissue and the prosthetic material, and exiting through the first section of one of the tissue and the prosthetic material; and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to each of the first and second arcuate needles and configured to engage each of the first and second arcuate needles between a retracted position and an extended position. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140249552 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERCUTANEOUS SUTURE DELIVERY - Systems and methods are provided for percutaneously suturing tissue. An elongated deployment member having a guide member coaxially disposed over a shaft member may be used to carry a needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may be carried at a distal end of the elongated deployment member and include a plurality of needles releasably secured to the needle deployment member, wherein each needle is routed coaxially within the distal end of the needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may further include a needle pusher driven by a link coaxially disposed within the shaft member, wherein the needle pusher is configured to advance each needle through the distal end of the needle deployment member and coaxially over the proximal end of the needle deployment member to position the plurality of needles at a piercing angle in a proximal direction. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140257345 | SURGICAL SUTURE APPARATUS - A surgical suture apparatus for open and/or endoscopic surgery is configured to pass a double-ended surgical needle backwards and forwards between a first jaw element and a second jaw element, the jaw elements each including a holding device to hold a respective needle end of the surgical needle, wherein the first and/or second jaw element are biased to an open position with a first biasing force. The apparatus further includes an operating device to operate the first and second holding devices, wherein the operating device includes a first operating organ biased in the normal position by one or more second spring elements with a second biasing force, wherein the first biasing force is smaller than the second biasing force such that exerting an actuation force on the first operating organ first results in movement of the first and second jaw element towards each other, and subsequently in actuation of the operating device. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140276988 | SUTURER - A suturer may include a base mechanism. The base mechanism may include a first arm and a second arm. The suturer may be configured to selectively pass a needle from an enclosed position within the first arm to an enclosed position within the second arm. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140296882 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SUTURING TISSUE - A suture applying device includes a shaft which carries a pair of needles near its distal end. The needles are joined by a length of suture, and the shaft is used to both introduce the needles into a lumen of a body structure and to draw the needles back through tissue on either side of the puncture site. After the needles have passed through the tissue, they are captured by a needle receiver and drawn outward through the tract, leaving a loop of suture behind to close the puncture site near the body lumen. The suture can then be tied or otherwise secured to close the puncture site. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140303653 | Expandable Needle Suture Apparatus and Associated Handle Assembly - A surgical suturing device having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end is operable to move a suture through body tissue. An actuating rod extends between the handle assembly and the shaft. A needle assembly at the distal end of the actuating rod is movable with the actuating rod between an extended state and a retracted state. Bifurcated portions of the needle assembly define a suture slot, the bifurcated portions have a proximate relationship when the needle assembly is in the retracted state and having a separated relationship when the needle assembly is in the extended state. The needle assembly is biased to the retracted state and the bifurcated portions are biased to the separated relationship. A handle assembly is configured to releasably receive the needle assembly and is operable to move the needle assembly between a free suture state and a captured suture state. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140316443 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PASSING SUTURE - A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140350576 | Apparatus and method for fascial closure device for laparoscopic trocar port site and surgery - A suture placement device is inserted into an endoscopic trocar port site. A pivot bar with a pair of receptor ports is moved from a folded to an extended position below the fascia. The trocar port is removed over the device as the pivot bar is pulled upward against the fascia. A pair of stylet guides are deployed from two sides of the device housing, and intercept the receptor ports, thereby creating a suture path through the first guide, through a channel in the pivot bar between the receptor ports, and through the second guide. A stylet is directed through the suture path to pull a suture through the path. The guides are refracted, the pivot bar is folded, the device is removed, and the suture is tied. A stylet guide may have a partially deployed position to accurately inject an anesthetic at a desired intra-muscular layer. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150038993 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR WOUND CLOSURE - A suture grasper for retrieving a suture from an internal surgical site includes an inner shaft defining a tissue-penetrating tip, an intermediate shaft disposed about the inner shaft, and an outer shaft disposed about the intermediate shaft. The intermediate shaft defines a plurality of spring fingers movable between a spread position, wherein the spring fingers extend radially outwardly from the inner shaft, and a compressed position, wherein the spring fingers are approximated about the inner shaft. The outer shaft is selectively translatable relative to the inner shaft and the intermediate shaft for moving the spring fingers between the spread position and the compressed position. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150051622 | ARTHROSCOPIC MENISCAL REPAIR SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An arthroscopic meniscal tear repair device comprises a catch needle and a transfer needle. which are pierced into a torn meniscus and advanced past the tear. Suture is transferred by a suture needle from the transfer needle through the meniscus and into the catch needle. The catch needle has an internal mechanism that retains the suture. The suture needle is then retracted back to its home position inside the transfer needle, leaving the free end of the suture across the meniscus and in the catch needle. The device is then retracted out of the meniscus, leaving behind a stitch across the meniscal tear inside the meniscus. A pre-tied knot of suture is then slid down the device and cinched up using a knot pusher having a dilation tip, thus completing the repair. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150057683 | Apparatus and Method for Minimally Invasive Suturing - An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150066061 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MENISCAL REPAIR - An anchor for securing suture to tissue, the anchor comprising:
| 03-05-2015 |
| 20150088167 | Laparoscopic Suture Device with Autoloading and Suture Capture - A suturing device provided. The suturing device may include at least a firing aperture, a drive mechanism and an autoloading mechanism. The firing aperture may include at least one needle rotatably disposed therein configured to engage a suture for deployment. The drive mechanism may be operatively coupled to the needle and configured to advance the needle from a retracted position to an extended position during engagement, and retract the needle from the extended position to the retracted position during disengagement. The autoloading mechanism may be operatively coupled to the drive mechanism and configured to slidably retrieve and position a suture to be deployed over the firing aperture during disengagement of the drive mechanism. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150094741 | WOUND CLOSURE DEVICE INCLUDING MESH BARRIER - A suturing device includes an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis, a trajectory guide translatably mounted on the elongate shaft and an introducer guard member operatively coupled to a distal portion of the elongate shaft. The introducer guard member includes at least one arm member which is movable between a first position in which the arm member is retracted, substantially in alignment with the longitudinal axis and a second position in which the at least one arm member is deployed. The introducer guard member includes an attaching member for releasably retaining a suture. The trajectory guide defines at least one bore therethrough. The bore obliquely extends through the trajectory guide and defines an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The bore aligns with the attaching member when the introducer guard member is in the second position. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150100073 | PLACING SUTURES - A suturing instrument is configured for to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, trans-vaginal, or endoscopic surgical procedures. The suturing instrument includes an elongate body member, a needle exit port, a needle receiving port, and a needle deployment mechanism. The suturing instrument eliminates the need for a preassembled needle and suture and reduces or eliminates the possibility of needle loss during suturing. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150119907 | FILAMENTOUS TISSUE IMPLANT - A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150127024 | REPLACEABLE SUTURING HEAD, A REPLACEABLE NEEDLE CARTRIDGE, AND A SUTURING DEVICE - A replaceable suturing head ( | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150133968 | SUTURING DEVICE FOR LAPAROSCOPIC PROCEDURES - A suturing device includes an elongated body having an outer wall defining an interior space of the body, a shaft located in the interior space, and a needle mounted on a distal end of the shaft. The needle has a distal section transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The distal section of the needle terminates in a first jaw and a second jaw forming a forceps defining a piercing tip. The first jaw and second jaw have a grasping position wherein the first jaw and second jaw grasp a suturing material, and a release position wherein the first jaw and second jaw release the suturing material. After grasping the suturing material with the needle, the shaft rotates the needle to advance the needle and suturing material through tissue and mesh placed on the tissue. Spaced apart portions of the suturing material are then fused to create a suture. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150148820 | APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING AND ANCHORING IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - An apparatus includes an elongate member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The elongate member defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion of the elongate member defines a notch having a face defining an axis. The axis of the face and the longitudinal axis define an acute angle with respect to a first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to retain a loop of a suture when the elongate member is moved through a tissue of a patient in the first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to release the loop of the suture when the elongate member is moved through the tissue of the patient in a second direction different than the first direction. The suture has at least one tissue anchor configured to be disposed within the tissue of the patient. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150148821 | THORASCOPIC HEART VALVE REPAIR METHOD AND APPARATUS - An instrument for performing thorascopic repair of heart valves includes a shaft for extending through the chest cavity and into a heart chamber providing access to a valve needing repair. A movable tip on the shaft is operable to capture a valve leaflet and a needle is operable to penetrate a capture valve leaflet and draw the suture therethrough. The suture is thus fastened to the valve leaflet and the instrument is withdrawn from the heart chamber transporting the suture outside the heart chamber. The suture is anchored to the heart wall with proper tension as determined by observing valve operation with an ultrasonic imaging system. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150313589 | SUTURE PASSERS ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONSTRAINED REGIONS - Described herein suture passer apparatus (devices and systems) that may be used to suture tissue within a narrow, confined space. In particular, described herein are suture passers having an elongate body and a bent lower jaw member that houses a tissue penetrator that is adapted to extend laterally through the bend region, and then be laterally deflected from the lower jaw member to a second jaw (e.g. bendable or pivoting) upper member. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150342599 | Stitching End Effector - A stitching assembly including upper and lower cradles, upper and lower needles, and first and second sutures supported by the upper and lower needles respectively. The cradles moves along a curved path in relation to the carriages between advanced and retracted positions. When each cradle is moved from the retracted position towards the advanced position a stitch loop is formed when the respective needle is retracted. This process is repeated alternating between the first and second cradles with the upper and lower needles passing through the previous stitch loop formed by the other needle before passing through the tissue. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150351744 | Jawed Receiver for Needle Cartridge - A surgical suturing device comprises a cartridge having a needle and suture. An elongate shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. An actuator is connected to the proximal end of the elongate shaft. A pair of jaws is connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The jaws have a closed position adapted to receive and retain the cartridge, and wherein the jaws are latched in the closed position. The jaws also have a partially opened position adapted to release the cartridge wherein the jaws are biased by a spring from the first opened position towards the closed position. The jaws also have and a fully opened position spaced apart further than the partially opened position, wherein spring does not bias the jaws towards the closed position. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150351745 | Ratchet Controlled Circular Needle Driver - A surgical suturing device comprises an arced needle comprises a length of suture. A needle driver is operable to engage and rotate the needle in a circular path. The needle driver reciprocates between a drive stoke wherein the needle is rotated and a return stroke. A trigger is operably connected to the needle driver, wherein moving the trigger in a first direction actuates the needle driver through its drive stroke, and moving the trigger in a second direction actuates the needle driver through its return stroke. A ratchet mechanism preventing the trigger from moving in the second direction until the needle driver has been actuated through the drive stroke. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150351746 | Force Limited Needle Driver - A surgical suturing device comprises an arced needle comprises a length of suture. An elongate shaft comprises a proximal end and a distal end. A needle driver is on the distal end of the elongate shaft operable to engage and rotate the needle in a circular path. The needle driver reciprocates between a drive stroke wherein the needle is rotated and a return stroke. A trigger is on the proximal end of the elongate shaft. A drive rod in the elongate shaft operably connects the trigger and the needle driver. Moving the trigger in a first direction actuates the needle driver through its drive stroke, and moving the trigger in a second direction actuates the needle driver through its return stroke. A spring is operably connected to the drive rod limiting a load transmitted through the drive rod. The spring may limit the load transmitted through the drive rod when the trigger is moved in a first direction. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150351747 | Articulation Control for Surgical Instruments - A surgical instrument comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an articulating portion. An end effector is on the distal end and an actuator is on the proximal end. A rod is in the shaft having a proximal end with a cam follower, a distal end operably connected to the articulation portion, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. A disk is in the actuator rotatable in response to user input in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The disk has a cam slot receiving the cam follower such that rotation of the disk moves the rod longitudinally to articulate the elongate shaft at the articulation portion. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150351748 | Circular Needle Applier with Cleats - A surgical suturing device comprises an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture. A needle driver is operable to drive the needle in a first rotational direction along a circular path. A cleat projects into the circular path and is operable to engage and prevent the needle from rotating in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The cleat may project inward into the plane of the circular path. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150351749 | Needle Cartridge with Moveable Cover - A needle cartridge is adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device. The cartridge comprises an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture. A cartridge body has a track that receives the needle and defining a circular path. A needle driver is operable to rotate the needle along the circular path. A cover is on the body and positioned over the needle in the track. The cover is selectively moveable relative to the body to release the needle from the track. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150351750 | Laparoscopic Suture Device with Release Mechanism - A suturing device is provided. The suturing device may include at least one needle configured to engage a suture for deployment, at least one release mechanism coupled to the needle configured to release an engaged suture upon deployment, and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the needle and configured to advance the needle from a retracted position to an extended position during engagement, and retract the needle from the extended position to the retracted position during disengagement. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150366558 | SUTURE PASSING - A surgical device includes a first member, deformable to move a pair of opposing projections toward one another. The projections are received in a pair of opposing openings in a second member, so the first member can pivot relative to the second member about an axis defined by the projections. In another aspect, a surgical instrument includes a first pinless joint pivotably coupling a first jaw to a second jaw, a second pinless joint coupling a distal end of an actuating member to the first jaw, and a third pinless joint coupling a handle to a proximal end of the actuating member. The third pinless joint translates movement of the handle into axial movement of the actuating member, and the second pinless joint translates axial movement of the actuating member into pivotable movement of the first jaw relative to the second jaw about the first pinless joint. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150374358 | REPEATING-TYPE ORGAN-FASTENING TOOL - There is provided a repeated type organ fixing instrument having a plurality of suturing tools. The organ fixing instrument includes a rod-shaped engaging portion, a suture fixed to the engaging portion, a puncture needle for housing a plurality of the engaging portions. A plurality of the engaging portions are extruded one by one from the puncture needle by the operation of a operation unit main body. The suture fixed to at least one of the plurality of engaging portions is inserted within the inside of the puncture needle and wherein the other suture is derived from the inside to the outside of the puncture needle. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160000425 | SUTURE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A SUTURE ATTACHED TO A LEADER - A suture assembly includes a leader attached to a suture. The leader includes a band, a clasp extending from a distal edge of the band, and at least two prongs extending from a proximal edge of the band. The band is curved to provide the leader with an exterior surface that defines an outermost perimeter of the leader and an interior surface opposite of the exterior surface. The clasp is crimped onto the suture such that the suture is captured within the outermost perimeter of the leader. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160000433 | Hemostatic Clip With Needle Passer - A device for treating a tissue opening includes a capsule extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough; a pair of arms movably housed within the lumen of the capsule such that the pair of arms are movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the pair of arms being biased toward the open configuration such that when the pair of arms are moved distally with respect to the capsule, distal ends of the pair of arms are separated from one another to receive target tissue therebetween; a needle releasably connected to a first one of the pair of arms, the needle extending laterally inward toward a second one of the pair of arms and including a connecting structure extending along a portion thereof, the second one of the pair of arms including an opening located so that, when the pair of arms are moved to the closed configuration, the connecting structure of the needle engages the opening; and a suture extending from a portion of the needle proximally through the capsule. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160007993 | REVOLVING APPROXIMATION DEVICE | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160015381 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUTURING TISSUE - A suturing device of the present invention is in the form a compact, light-weight handheld device that includes a needle and suture assembly, a mechanism for gripping and releasing the needle/suture (a “needle transfer mechanism” or “needle shuttle mechanism”), safely capturing the needle/suture upon exit from the patient's tissue, and returning the needle to a position such that the process of delivering additional sutures to the patient can be repeated. A safety shield mechanism ensures the user is protected from the needle at all times. The device of the present invention accommodates the right or left-handed user, rests comfortably in the user's hand, allows sufficient visualization of the procedure site, and permits the user to either control penetration depth of the needle or default to a device-determined depth. The present device permits the user to utilize a wrist-rotation (pivoting) suture delivery technique. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160038139 | SIDE-LOADED MEDICAL IMPLEMENT PARTICULARLY USEFUL IN ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY - A medical implement particularly useful in arthroscopic surgery, includes: a handle having a proximal end configured for manual gripping by a user, a distal end for manipulation during the surgery, an internal passageway extending through the handle from the proximal end to the distal end thereof, and a longitudinally-extending slot extending longitudinally through the handle from its outer surface to the passageway for side-loading the handle with a manipulatable member to be manipulated during surgery. A shield is located within the passageway in the handle. The shield is secured along one edge to the inner surface of handle defining the passageway, and includes an elastic section normally covering the longitudinally-extending slot. The elastic section of the shield is yieldable to permit side-loading of the manipulatable member into the passageway, but to prevent a side-loaded manipulatable member from passing outwardly from the passageway. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160051253 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SUTURING - An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160058437 | Surgical Suturing Instrument - A surgical suturing instrument including a handle assembly, an elongate member extending distally from the handle assembly and an end effector attached to the distal end of the elongate member. The end effector may include a first jaw member movable relative to a second jaw member between an open position and an approximated position for grasping tissue. Each of the jaw members define a knife slot, a first needle slot, and a second needle slot extending along a longitudinal axis of the end effector. The end effector also includes a knife assembly and an upper assembly pivotably coupled to an upper knife flange of the knife assembly. The upper assembly includes an upper bellcrank, a first needle, a first suture passing through a first aperture defined by the first needle, a second needle and a second suture passing through a second aperture defined by the second needle. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160081687 | METHODS FOR FASTENING TISSUE - Endoscopic devices and methods used for fastening multiple tissue layers, such as, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The endoluminal device includes a tissue fastener, a flexible needle having means for grasping and releasing a portion of the tissue fastener, and a deflector for deflecting and guiding the needle toward the multiple tissue layers. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160089134 | Laparoscopic Suture Device with Stripper Plate - A suturing device is provided. The suturing device may include a firing aperture having at least one needle and a stripper plate, the needle being rotatable relative to the stripper plate and the firing aperture, and configured to engage a suture for deployment; and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the needle and configured to advance the needle from a retracted position to an extended position during engagement, and retract the needle from the extended position to the retracted position during disengagement. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160135804 | Methods for Passing Multiple Sutures Through Tissue - Methods for passing multiple sutures through tissue are provided herein. In particular, the methods described herein allow multiple sutures to be passed through tissue without removing a suture passing instrument from a patient's body. In one embodiment, a method for passing a suture through tissue is provided that includes loading first and second suture limbs into a suture passing instrument, positioning the instrument within a patient's body, actuating the instrument to pass a portion of the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the second suture limb to reload the suture passing instrument without removing the instrument from the patient's body, actuating the instrument a second time to pass a portion of the second suture limb through the tissue, and pulling the second suture limb through the tissue. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160174968 | SUTURING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SUTURING AN ANATOMIC VALVE | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160249906 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING A HIP JOINT, INCLUDING THE PROVISION AND USE OF A NOVEL SUTURE PASSER | 09-01-2016 |
| 20160249907 | Medical Device Having a Position Indicator | 09-01-2016 |
| 20170231624 | STITCHING DEVICE WITH LONG NEEDLE | 08-17-2017 |
