US5211650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual function suturing device and method
Assignee: Imagyn Medical Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1992-07-13
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Granted: 1993-05-18
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Expires: 2012-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A suturing device includes a shaft with a pair of axial passages extending through the shaft. A length of suture passes through the first axial passage, the suture having a surgical needle attached to its distal end, and a preformed knotted loop disposed at a distal end of the first axial passage. The second axial passage includes a gaseous seal and is configured to receive a surgical instrument for manipulating tissue to facilitate application of the suture. In the method of the invention, the suturing device is inserted through a cannula and a surgical instrument is introduced through the second axial passage. Tissue is manipulated using the surgical instrument to facilitate application of the suture. A needle holder introduced through a separate cannula is used to pass the needle through the wound and through the knotted loop. Tension is then applied to the suture to close the knot and bind the wound.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne A. Noda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12009; A61B17/12013; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0485; A61B17/06; A61B17/06166; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00353; A61B2017/0474; A61B2017/0477; A61B2017/0496
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A dual function suture applier comprising: a shaft having proximal and distal ends and an axial passage; suture applying means on the shaft, the suture applying means including a length of suture having proximal and distal ends, and a surgical needle secured to the distal end of the suture; means at the proximal end of the shaft for selectively applying tension on the proximal end of the suture; and a gaseous seal in the axial passage, the gaseous seal being operative with and without a surgical instrument received in the axial passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A dual function suture applier comprising: a shaft having proximal and distal ends and an axial passage; suture applying means on the shaft, the suture applying means including a length of suture having proximal and distal ends, and a surgical needle secured to the distal end of the suture; means at the proximal end of the shaft for selectively applying tension on the proximal end of the suture; and a gaseous seal in the axial passage, the gaseous seal being operative with and without a surgical instrument received in the axial passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The suture applier of claim 1 wherein the shaft has a diameter of at most 10 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The suture applier of claim 2 wherein the axial passage has a diameter of at least 5 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The suture applier of claim 1 wherein the gaseous seal means comprises a compliant diaphragm at the proximal end of the axial passage, the diaphragm having a slit through a central portion thereof to facilitate insertion of the surgical instrument.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The suture applier of claim 1 further comprising grasping forceps removably disposed in the axial passage, the grasping forceps having a pair of movable jaws extending distally of the axial passage and an actuator coupled to the jaws and disposed proximally of the axial passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
The suture applier of claim 1 wherein the suture applying means further comprises a second axial passage in the shaft having a distal port at a distal end thereof, said suture having a knotted loop spaced proximally from the needle and being slidably disposed in the second axial passage with the surgical needle and knotted loop extending from the distal port in the second axial passage, whereby the knotted loop may be held against the port and closed by applying tension on the proximal end of the suture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
154 words
A dual function suture applier comprising: a shaft having proximal and distal ends, a first axial passage having a first distal port and a second axial passage having a second distal port; a length of suture having proximal and distal ends, a surgical needle secured to the distal end of the suture, and a knotted loop disposed proximally of the needle, said suture being slidably disposed in the second axial passage with the surgical needle and knotted loop extending from the second distal port at the distal end of the second axial passage; means at the proximal end of the shaft for securing and selectively applying tension on the proximal end of the suture, whereby the knotted loop may be held against the port and closed by applying such tension; and a gaseous seal in the first passage, the gaseous seal being operative with and without a surgical instrument received in the first passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
A dual function suture applier comprising: a shaft having proximal and distal ends, a first axial passage having a first distal port and a second axial passage having a second distal port; a length of suture having proximal and distal ends, a surgical needle secured to the distal end of the suture, and a knotted loop disposed proximally of the needle, said suture being slidably disposed in the second axial passage with the surgical needle and knotted loop extending from the second distal port at the distal end of the second axial passage; means at the proximal end of the shaft for securing and selectively applying tension on the proximal end of the suture, whereby the knotted loop may be held against the port and closed by applying such tension; and a gaseous seal in the first passage, the gaseous seal being operative with and without a surgical instrument received in the first passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The suture applier of claim 7 wherein the shaft has a diameter of at most 10 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The suture applier of claim 8 wherein the first axial passage has a diameter of at least 5 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The suture applier of claim 7 wherein the gaseous seal means comprises a compliant diaphragm at the proximal end of the first axial passage, the diaphragm having a slit through a central portion thereof to facilitate insertion of the surgical instrument.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The suture applier of claim 7 further comprising grasping forceps removably disposed in the first axial passage, the grasping forceps having a pair of movable jaws extending distally of the first distal port and an actuator coupled to the jaws and disposed proximally of the first axial passage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The suture applier of claim 7 further comprising a sheath slidably disposed on the shaft, whereby the sheath may be moved to a distal position to surround the needle and the knotted loop to facilitate insertion of the suture applier through a cannula.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
The suture applier of claim 12 wherein the sheath has a rim on a proximal end thereof for engaging a proximal end of the cannula, whereby the sheath may be advanced together with the suture applier through the cannula until the rim engages the cannula, allowing the suture applier to be advanced distally relative to the sheath to extend the needle and knotted loop beyond a distal end of the sheath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A suture applier as in claim 7 wherein the means for selectively applying axial tension includes an axially aligned track, a handle slidably received in the track, and means on the handle for retaining the proximal end of the suture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A suture applier as in claim 7 further comprising means at the distal end of the shaft for removably securing the surgical needle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A suture applier as in claim 15, wherein the means for removably securing the surgical needle comprises a port in the distal tip of the shaft having penetrable material behind the port.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
A suture applier as in claim 16, further comprising an additional port in a side wall of the shaft having penetrable material behind said port, whereby the surgical needle can be secured after use and the suture can be tensioned to facilitate trimming of the tail ends after the suture is tied.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A suture applier as in claim 7, further comprising means at the distal end of the shaft for detachably securing a free end of the knotted loop.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A suture applier as in claim 18, wherein the means for detachably securing a free end of the knotted loop comprises an elastic cuff disposed about the shaft.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for suturing a wound in tissue, the method comprising: introducing the distal end of a shaft proximate said wound, wherein said distal end carries a length of suture; manipulating a surgical instrument through a first axial passage in the shaft, a distal end of the instrument extending from a distal end of the passage; passing a surgical needle attached to a distal end of the suture through the tissue across the wound; forming a loop in the suture through wound; and sliding a slip knot in the suture distally to close the loop and bind the wound.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for suturing a wound in tissue, the method comprising: introducing the distal end of a shaft proximate said wound, wherein said distal end carries a length of suture; manipulating a surgical instrument through a first axial passage in the shaft, a distal end of the instrument extending from a distal end of the passage; passing a surgical needle attached to a distal end of the suture through the tissue across the wound; forming a loop in the suture through wound; and sliding a slip knot in the suture distally to close the loop and bind the wound.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 20 wherein the surgical instrument comprises grasping forceps.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 20 wherein the surgical instrument is used to manipulate the tissue near the wound to facilitate applying the suture.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as in claim 20 wherein the tissue is in a body cavity insufflated with a fluid, the first axial passage having sealing means to prevent leakage of the fluid when the manipulation instrument is introduced therethrough.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 23 wherein the shaft is inserted through a sealed cannula having a diameter of at most 10 mm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 24 wherein the first axial passage has a diameter of less than 8 mm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method as in claim 20 wherein the suture has a preformed knotted loop carried at the distal end of the shaft, the slip knot being formed by passing the surgical needle through the knotted loop while the knotted loop remains on the distal end of the shaft, and applying axial tension on a proximal portion of the suture to close the knotted loop against the distal end of the shaft.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 20 wherein the surgical needle is retained on the shaft while the shaft is introduced.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 27 wherein a slidable sleeve is disposed about a distal portion of the shaft such that the shaft may be introduced with the needle and suture surrounded by the sleeve.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 20 wherein the surgical needle is passed through the tissue using a needle holder.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 20 wherein axial tension is applied on the proximal portion of the suture using a handle which is slidably attached to the shaft.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 20 wherein tension is applied to a distal portion of the suture using a needle holder.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-17 | 1996-11-16 | 1997-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-17 | 2000-11-16 | 2001-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-17 | 2004-11-16 | 2005-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |