US5741277A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic suture system
Assignee: Boston Scientific Corp
•
Filing: 1996-06-25
•
Granted: 1998-04-21
•
Expires: 2016-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue. A particular utility is effected in the approximation of the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the loading of suture material including needles into the device, introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides either simultaneously or individually to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture may then be tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman S. Gordon
- 👤 Robert P. Cooper
- 👤 Gordon C. Gunn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06066; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0482; A61B17/062; A61B17/0625; A61B17/0057; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61B2017/00637; A61B2017/00646; A61B2017/00663; A61B2017/047; A61B2017/0472; A61B2017/0474; A61B2017/0479; A61B2017/06057; A61B2017/2901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A suturing instrument comprising: an elongate body member having a longitudinal axis; a needle deployment system located at a distal end portion of said elongate body member, said needle deployment system comprising a curved needle carrier positioned in a plane which is substantially parallel to said elongate body member longitudinal axis, said curved needle carrier dimensioned to receive and hold a surgical needle having a suture attached thereto; a deployment controller having a proximal end, a distal end, a retracted position and a deployed position wherein the path followed by the deployment controller from said retracted position to said deployed position is substantially parallel to said elongate body member longitudinal axis, said deployment controller extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of said elongate body member to the distal end portion of said elongate body member where it is coupled to said curved needle carrier, wherein said curved needle carrier is driven along a path which exits said needle deployment system in a direction which is lateral to said elongate body member longitudinal axis when said deployment controller moves from said retracted position to said deployed position; and a needle catch positioned proximate to said distal end portion of said elongate body member such that said curved needle carrier path is intercepted by said needle catch as said deployment controller approaches said deployed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A suturing instrument comprising: an elongate body member having a longitudinal axis; a needle deployment system located at a distal end portion of said elongate body member, said needle deployment system comprising a curved needle carrier positioned in a plane which is substantially parallel to said elongate body member longitudinal axis, said curved needle carrier dimensioned to receive and hold a surgical needle having a suture attached thereto; a deployment controller having a proximal end, a distal end, a retracted position and a deployed position wherein the path followed by the deployment controller from said retracted position to said deployed position is substantially parallel to said elongate body member longitudinal axis, said deployment controller extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of said elongate body member to the distal end portion of said elongate body member where it is coupled to said curved needle carrier, wherein said curved needle carrier is driven along a path which exits said needle deployment system in a direction which is lateral to said elongate body member longitudinal axis when said deployment controller moves from said retracted position to said deployed position; and a needle catch positioned proximate to said distal end portion of said elongate body member such that said curved needle carrier path is intercepted by said needle catch as said deployment controller approaches said deployed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A suturing instrument as defined in claim 1 further comprising a surgical needle positioned in said curved needle carrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A suturing instrument as defined in claim 2 wherein said surgical needle further comprises a shoulder near a distal point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A suturing instrument as defined in claim 3 wherein said needle catch further comprises a first opening dimension sized to allow said shouldered surgical needle to pass therethrough and a second opening dimension sized smaller than said shoulder, thereby capturing said surgical needle at said shoulder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
289 words
A suturing instrument comprising: an elongate body member having a longitudinal axis; a deployment controller having a proximal end and a distal end, said deployment controller extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of said elongate body member to a distal end of said elongate body member, wherein said deployment controller has a retracted position and a deployed position; and a needle deployment system attached to the distal end of said elongate body member and coupled to said deployment controller, said needle deployment system comprising: a curved needle carrier channel and a curved needle carrier movably positioned therein, said curved needle carrier configured to receive and hold a surgical needle on a distal end thereof, said curved needle carrier channel located substantially in a plane which is substantially parallel to said elongate body member longitudinal axis; and a flexible pusher coupled to said deployment controller, said needle deployment system having a retracted configuration when said deployment controller is in said retracted position wherein substantially all of the curved needle carrier is contained within said needle deployment system and a deployed configuration when said deployment controller is in said deployed position, wherein said flexible pusher pushes the curved needle carrier along said curved needle carrier channel outside of said needle deployment system along a path which exits said needle deployment system in a direction which is lateral to said elongate body member longitudinal axis as said deployment controller begins to move from said retracted position toward said deployed position followed by a direction toward a needle capture system positioned proximate to said distal end of said elongate body member such that said curved needle carrier path is intercepted by said needle capture system as said deployment controller approaches said deployed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
289 words
A suturing instrument comprising: an elongate body member having a longitudinal axis; a deployment controller having a proximal end and a distal end, said deployment controller extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of said elongate body member to a distal end of said elongate body member, wherein said deployment controller has a retracted position and a deployed position; and a needle deployment system attached to the distal end of said elongate body member and coupled to said deployment controller, said needle deployment system comprising: a curved needle carrier channel and a curved needle carrier movably positioned therein, said curved needle carrier configured to receive and hold a surgical needle on a distal end thereof, said curved needle carrier channel located substantially in a plane which is substantially parallel to said elongate body member longitudinal axis; and a flexible pusher coupled to said deployment controller, said needle deployment system having a retracted configuration when said deployment controller is in said retracted position wherein substantially all of the curved needle carrier is contained within said needle deployment system and a deployed configuration when said deployment controller is in said deployed position, wherein said flexible pusher pushes the curved needle carrier along said curved needle carrier channel outside of said needle deployment system along a path which exits said needle deployment system in a direction which is lateral to said elongate body member longitudinal axis as said deployment controller begins to move from said retracted position toward said deployed position followed by a direction toward a needle capture system positioned proximate to said distal end of said elongate body member such that said curved needle carrier path is intercepted by said needle capture system as said deployment controller approaches said deployed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A suturing instrument as defined in claim 5 further comprising: a surgical needle having a suture attachment point, said surgical needle inserted in said curved needle carrier; and a suture attached to said surgical needle suture attachment point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A suturing instrument as defined in claim 6 wherein said surgical needle further comprises a bullet needle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A suturing instrument as defined in claim 6 wherein said surgical needle has a triangular cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A suturing instrument as defined in claim 6 wherein said surgical needle further comprises a conical needle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
155 words
A suturing instrument comprising: an elongate body member having a longitudinal axis; needle deployment means for deploying a surgical needle outside a distal end of said elongate body member along a path having an initial direction which is lateral to said elongate body member longitudinal axis, wherein said needle deployment means further comprises a substantially semi-circular shaped needle carrier channel located at said distal end portion of said elongate body member and a curved needle carrier slidably positioned therein, said substantially semi-circular shaped needle carrier channel having an exit port which is laterally disposed with respect to said elongate body member longitudinal axis; and a needle capture means for capturing the surgical needle after deployment, wherein said needle capture means is positioned proximate to said distal end of said elongate body member such that said path of the surgical needle outside of said distal end of said elongate body member intercepts said needle capture means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
155 words
A suturing instrument comprising: an elongate body member having a longitudinal axis; needle deployment means for deploying a surgical needle outside a distal end of said elongate body member along a path having an initial direction which is lateral to said elongate body member longitudinal axis, wherein said needle deployment means further comprises a substantially semi-circular shaped needle carrier channel located at said distal end portion of said elongate body member and a curved needle carrier slidably positioned therein, said substantially semi-circular shaped needle carrier channel having an exit port which is laterally disposed with respect to said elongate body member longitudinal axis; and a needle capture means for capturing the surgical needle after deployment, wherein said needle capture means is positioned proximate to said distal end of said elongate body member such that said path of the surgical needle outside of said distal end of said elongate body member intercepts said needle capture means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
263 words
A suturing instrument comprising: an elongate body member; a deployment controller having a proximal end and a distal end, said deployment controller extending substantially along a longitudinal axis of said elongate body member to a distal end portion of said elongate body member, wherein said deployment controller has a retracted position and a deployed position; and a needle deployment system located at said distal end portion of said elongate body member and coupled to said deployment controller, said needle deployment system comprising: a curved needle carrier channel configured such that a curved needle carrier may be slidably positioned therein, said curved needle carrier channel having a laterally disposed exit port from said needle deployment system; and a flexible pusher coupled to the distal end of said deployment controller, said needle deployment system having a retracted configuration when said deployment controller is in said retracted position wherein substantially all of the curved needle carrier is contained within said needle deployment system and a deployed configuration when said deployment controller is in said deployed position, wherein said flexible pusher pushes said curved needle carrier through said curved needle carrier channel and said laterally disposed exit port outside of said needle deployment system along a path having an initial direction away from said elongate body member longitudinal axis as said deployment controller begins to move from said retracted position toward a needle catch positioned proximate to said distal end portion of said elongate body member such that said curved needle carrier path is intercepted by said needle catch as said deployment controller approaches said deployed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
263 words
A suturing instrument comprising: an elongate body member; a deployment controller having a proximal end and a distal end, said deployment controller extending substantially along a longitudinal axis of said elongate body member to a distal end portion of said elongate body member, wherein said deployment controller has a retracted position and a deployed position; and a needle deployment system located at said distal end portion of said elongate body member and coupled to said deployment controller, said needle deployment system comprising: a curved needle carrier channel configured such that a curved needle carrier may be slidably positioned therein, said curved needle carrier channel having a laterally disposed exit port from said needle deployment system; and a flexible pusher coupled to the distal end of said deployment controller, said needle deployment system having a retracted configuration when said deployment controller is in said retracted position wherein substantially all of the curved needle carrier is contained within said needle deployment system and a deployed configuration when said deployment controller is in said deployed position, wherein said flexible pusher pushes said curved needle carrier through said curved needle carrier channel and said laterally disposed exit port outside of said needle deployment system along a path having an initial direction away from said elongate body member longitudinal axis as said deployment controller begins to move from said retracted position toward a needle catch positioned proximate to said distal end portion of said elongate body member such that said curved needle carrier path is intercepted by said needle catch as said deployment controller approaches said deployed position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A suturing instrument as defined in claim 11 further comprising a surgical needle positioned in said curved needle carrier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A suturing instrument as defined in claim 12 wherein said surgical needle further comprises a shoulder near a distal point.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A suturing instrument as defined in claim 13 wherein said needle catch further comprises a first opening dimension sized to allow said shouldered surgical needle to pass therethrough and a second opening dimension sized smaller than said shoulder, thereby capturing said surgical needle at said shoulder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA647813A
Cited
US342773A
Cited
US919138A
Cited
GB190918602A
Cited
US1037864A
Cited
US1449087A
Cited
US1822330A
Cited
US1815725A
Cited
US2577240A
Cited
US2579192A
Cited
US3013559A
Cited
US3160157A
Cited
US3470875A
Cited
US3638653A
Cited
US3840017A
Cited
US3918455A
Cited
US3946740A
Cited
US4164225A
Cited
US4161951A
Cited
US4236470A
Cited
US4224947A
Cited
US4235177A
Cited
US4345601A
Cited
US4312337A
Cited
SU1028320A1
Cited
US4493323A
Cited
US4557265A
Cited
SU1093329A1
Cited
US4548202A
Cited
US4596249A
Cited
EP0140557A2
Cited
US5067957A
Cited
US4602635A
Cited
US4621640A
Cited
US4635638A
Cited
US4898155A
Cited
US4781190A
Cited
US5258011A
Cited
US5100418A
Cited
US4890615A
Cited
US4923461B1
Cited
US4957498A
Cited
US4890615B1
Cited
US4923461A
Cited
US4923461B2
Cited
US4926860A
Cited
US4899746A
Cited
WO1990003766A1
Cited
US4935027A
Cited
US5100415A
Cited
US5037433A
Cited
GB2247841A
Cited
US5047039A
Cited
WO1992012674A1
Cited
US5387221A
Cited
US5100421A
Cited
WO1993001750A1
Cited
US5389103A
Cited
US5391174A
Cited
US5188636A
Cited
WO1994005123A1
Cited
US5306281A
Cited
US5308353A
Cited
US5364408A
Cited
US5458609A
Cited
US5540704A
Cited
EP0589409A1
Cited
WO1994013211A1
Cited
US5417699A
Cited
US5527321A
Cited
EP0674875A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-20 | 2001-10-20 | 2002-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | 2006-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-20 | 2009-10-20 | 2010-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |