US5993466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suturing instrument with multiple rotatably mounted spreadable needle holders
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-06-17
•
Granted: 1999-11-30
•
Expires: 2017-06-17
Abstract
Abstract An instrument for suturing anatomical tissue with a suture needle includes a housing, an elongate shaft having a proximal end mounted by the housing and a distal end with a peripheral edge, a first needle holder protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft and having a needle holding member at a distal end operable to grasp and release a suture needle, and a second needle holder protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft and having a needle holding member at a distal end operable to grasp and release a suture needle. Distal portions of the first and second needle holders extend laterally outward at an angle from first and second longitudinal axes of the elongate shaft to positions where at least a portion of the corresponding needle holding members are spaced laterally outward of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft. In addition, the needle holders are rotatable about the first and second longitudinal axes of the elongate shaft to cause the corresponding needle holding members to move along first and second arcuate paths. When inserting the suturing instrument through a portal in an endoscopic procedure, the first and second needle holders are preferably movable to undeployed positions where their needle holding members are spaced laterally inward of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft. When suturing, the needle holding members can be moved from their undeployed positions to deployed positions disposed laterally outward of the peripheral edge due to the angled configuration of the distal portions of the needle holders.
Inventors
- 👤 Inbae Yoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1445; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/062; A61B1/00; A61B1/012; A61B1/018; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B17/0469; A61B17/32; A61B2017/0042; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61B2017/2912; A61B2017/2923; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/2929; A61B2017/2945; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B2017/3445; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00202; A61B2018/00208; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1432; A61B2018/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An instrument for suturing anatomical tissue with a suture needle, said suturing instrument comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a peripheral edge; a handle coupled to said proximal end of said shaft; a first arm protruding from said distal end of said elongate shaft and having a needle holding portion operable to grasp and release a suture needle; and a second arm protruding from said distal end of said elongate shaft and having a needle holding portion operable to grasp and release a suture needle said first arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a first longitudinal axis within said elongate shaft to a position where at least a portion of said needle holding portion of said first arm is spaced laterally outward of said peripheral edge of said elongate shaft, said first arm being rotatable about said first longitudinal axis to cause said portion of said first arm to move along a first arcuate path having a center of curvature coaxial with said first longitudinal axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An instrument for suturing anatomical tissue with a suture needle, said suturing instrument comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a peripheral edge; a handle coupled to said proximal end of said shaft; a first arm protruding from said distal end of said elongate shaft and having a needle holding portion operable to grasp and release a suture needle; and a second arm protruding from said distal end of said elongate shaft and having a needle holding portion operable to grasp and release a suture needle said first arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a first longitudinal axis within said elongate shaft to a position where at least a portion of said needle holding portion of said first arm is spaced laterally outward of said peripheral edge of said elongate shaft, said first arm being rotatable about said first longitudinal axis to cause said portion of said first arm to move along a first arcuate path having a center of curvature coaxial with said first longitudinal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said needle holding portion of said first arm is movable between an undeployed position where said needle holding portion of said first arm is spaced laterally inward of said peripheral edge of said elongate shaft and a deployed position where at least a portion of said needle holding portion of said first arm is disposed laterally outward of said peripheral edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An instrument as recited in claim 2 wherein said first arm is coupled to an elongate proximal member extending at least partly through said shaft in coaxial alignment with said first longitudinal axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An instrument as recited in claim 3 wherein said first arm is longitudinally movable relative to said elongate shaft between an axially extended position where said first arm bends outwardly in a lateral direction relative to said first longitudinal axis and an axially retracted position where said first arm is drawn inwardly toward said first longitudinal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An instrument as recited in claim 4 wherein said needle holding portion of said first arm is proximally spaced from said distal end of said shaft in said retracted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein a radius of curvature of said first arcuate path is substantially commensurate with a radius of curvature of said suture needle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said second arm extends laterally outward at an angle from a second longitudinal axis within said elongate shaft to a position where at least a portion of said needle holding portion of said second arm is spaced laterally outward of said peripheral edge of said elongate shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
An instrument as recited in claim 7 wherein said second arm is rotatable about said second longitudinal axis to cause said needle holding portion of said second arm to move along a second arcuate path having a center of curvature coaxial with said second longitudinal axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An instrument as recited in claim 8 wherein a radius of curvature of said second arcuate path is substantially commensurate with a radius of curvature of said suture needle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An instrument as recited in claim 8 wherein said first and second arcuate paths intersect one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
An instrument as recited in claim 7 wherein said needle holding portion of said second arm is movable between an undeployed position where said needle holding portion is spaced laterally inward of said peripheral edge of said elongate shaft and a deployed position where at least a portion of said needle holding portion is disposed laterally outward of said peripheral edge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
An instrument as recited in claim 11 wherein said second arm is coupled to an elongate proximal member extending at least partly through said shaft in coaxial alignment with said second longitudinal axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
An instrument as recited in claim 12 wherein said second arm is longitudinally movable relative to said elongate shaft between an axially extended position where said first arm bends outwardly in a lateral direction relative to said second axis of rotation and an axially retracted position where said first arm is drawn inwardly toward said second axis of rotation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An instrument as recited in claim 13 wherein said needle holding portion of said second arm is proximally spaced from said distal end of said shaft in said retracted position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1 and further comprising an operating channel defined through said elongate shaft to provide access to an operative site from outside of a patient's body when said elongate shaft is inserted into the body to access the operative site within the body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of operating channels defined through said elongate shaft in laterally spaced relation to provide access to an operative site from outside of a patient's body when said elongate shaft is inserted into the body to access the operative site within the body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An instrument as recited in claim 15 wherein said operating channel extends through said handle to define a longitudinal channel along the length of said instrument, and further comprising a coupling at a proximal end of said channel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
An instrument as recited in claim 15 wherein said operating channel defines a longitudinal channel along the length of said instrument, and further comprising a valve disposed along said longitudinal channel to control passage of fluids and instruments therethrough.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein an operating channel is defined through said first arm and said elongate shaft to provide access to an operative site from outside patient's body when said elongate shaft is inserted into the body to access the operative site within the body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
An instrument as recited in claim 19 wherein said first arm is coupled to an elongate proximal member extending through said elongate shaft and wherein said operating channel terminates distally at an opening adjacent the junction between said elongate proximal member and said first arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said needle holding portions includes a pair of cooperating needle holding members.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument as recited in claim 21 wherein at least one of said needle holding members carries a cutting member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument as recited in claim 21 wherein each pair of needle holding members includes a pair of pivotally opposed jaws.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An instrument as recited in claim 23 wherein both of said jaws move relative to one another.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
An instrument as recited in claim 23 wherein a first of said jaws is fixed and a second of said jaws is movable relative to said first of said jaws.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
72 words
An instrument as recited in claim 23 wherein said first arm and said second arm each include a pair of telescoping inner and outer members axially movable relative to one another, said jaws being mounted at the distal end of said inner telescoping member and being biased apart to an open position such that relative axial movement of the inner and outer telescoping members results in opening and closing of said jaws.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
An instrument as recited in claim 21 wherein each of said needle holding portions includes a first needle holding member having a distal end in the form of a hook and a second needle holding member having a distal end movable relative to said hook to grasp and release suture needles disposed within said hook.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
An instrument as recited in claim 27 wherein each of said hooks includes a mouth facing inwardly relative to a central longitudinal axis of said elongate shaft.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
An instrument as recited in claim 27 wherein each of said hooks includes a mouth facing outwardly relative to a central longitudinal axis of said elongate shaft.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
57 words
An instrument as recited in claim 21 wherein each of said needle holding portions includes a first needle holding member in the form of a tube with a lateral window formed therethrough and a second needle holding member having a distal end movable axially within said tube to grasp and release suture needles disposed within said window.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument as recited in claim 30 wherein said windows face inwardly relative to said central longitudinal axis of said elongate shaft.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument as recited in claim 30 wherein said windows face outwardly relative to said central longitudinal axis of said elongate shaft.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
243 words
An instrument for suturing anatomical tissue with a suture needle, said instrument comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a peripheral edge; a handle coupled to said distal end of said elongate shaft; a first needle holder having a proximal portion extending at least part way through said elongate shaft along a first longitudinal axis, a distal arm portion extending laterally outward from said proximal portion at an angle, and a needle holding portion mounted on said distal arm portion and operable to grasp and release a suture needle, said proximal portion of said first needle holder being rotatably mounted within said elongate shaft to move said needle holding portion of said first needle holder along a first arcuate path having a center of curvature coaxial with said first longitudinal axis; and a second needle holder having a proximal portion extending at least part way through said elongate shaft along a second longitudinal axis laterally spaced from said first longitudinal axis, a distal arm portion extending laterally outward from said proximal portion at an angle, and a needle holding portion mounted on said distal arm portion and operable to grasp and release a suture needle, said proximal portion of said second needle holder being rotatably mounted within said elongate shaft to move said needle holding portion of said second needle holder along a second arcuate path having a center of curvature coaxial with said second longitudinal axis.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
243 words
An instrument for suturing anatomical tissue with a suture needle, said instrument comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a peripheral edge; a handle coupled to said distal end of said elongate shaft; a first needle holder having a proximal portion extending at least part way through said elongate shaft along a first longitudinal axis, a distal arm portion extending laterally outward from said proximal portion at an angle, and a needle holding portion mounted on said distal arm portion and operable to grasp and release a suture needle, said proximal portion of said first needle holder being rotatably mounted within said elongate shaft to move said needle holding portion of said first needle holder along a first arcuate path having a center of curvature coaxial with said first longitudinal axis; and a second needle holder having a proximal portion extending at least part way through said elongate shaft along a second longitudinal axis laterally spaced from said first longitudinal axis, a distal arm portion extending laterally outward from said proximal portion at an angle, and a needle holding portion mounted on said distal arm portion and operable to grasp and release a suture needle, said proximal portion of said second needle holder being rotatably mounted within said elongate shaft to move said needle holding portion of said second needle holder along a second arcuate path having a center of curvature coaxial with said second longitudinal axis.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
An instrument as recited in claim 33 wherein said second arcuate path has a radius of curvature causing at least a portion of said needle holding portion of said second needle holder to extend outwardly of said peripheral edge of said elongate shaft.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
An instrument as recited in claim 34 wherein said first and second arcuate paths intersect one another.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
An instrument as recited in claim 34 wherein said radius of curvature of said first and second arcuate paths is substantially commensurate with the radius of curvature of said suture needle.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
64 words
An instrument as recited in claim 33 wherein said needle holding portions of said first and second needle holders are movable between undeployed positions where said needle holding portions are spaced laterally inward of said peripheral edge of said elongate shaft and deployed positions where at least a portion of each of said needle holding portions is disposed laterally outward of said peripheral edge.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
75 words
An instrument as recited in claim 33 wherein said first and second needle holders are longitudinally movable relative to said elongate shaft between respective axially extended positions where respective distal arm portions of said first and second needle holders bend outwardly in a lateral direction relative to said first and second longitudinal axes, respectively, and respective axially retracted positions where said distal arm portions are drawn inwardly toward said first and second longitudinal axes, respectively.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
An instrument as recited in claim 38 wherein said needle holding portions of said first and second needle holders are proximally spaced from said distal end of said elongate shaft in said respective retracted positions.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue using a length of suture material attached to a suture needle, said method comprising the steps of grasping the suture needle with a needle holding portion of a driver arm protruding distally from the distal end of an elongate shaft, the driver arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a first longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft the needle holding portion; rotating the driver arm about the first longitudinal axis to drive the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in a first direction along a first arcuate path coaxial with the first longitudinal axis; receiving the tip of the suture needle in a needle holding portion of a catcher arm protruding distally from the end of the elongate shaft, the catcher arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a second longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft; grasping the suture needle with the needle catcher arm; releasing the suture needle from the needle holding portion of the driver arm; and using the needle holding portion of the catcher arm to pull the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in the first direction along a second arcuate path.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue using a length of suture material attached to a suture needle, said method comprising the steps of grasping the suture needle with a needle holding portion of a driver arm protruding distally from the distal end of an elongate shaft, the driver arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a first longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft the needle holding portion; rotating the driver arm about the first longitudinal axis to drive the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in a first direction along a first arcuate path coaxial with the first longitudinal axis; receiving the tip of the suture needle in a needle holding portion of a catcher arm protruding distally from the end of the elongate shaft, the catcher arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a second longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft; grasping the suture needle with the needle catcher arm; releasing the suture needle from the needle holding portion of the driver arm; and using the needle holding portion of the catcher arm to pull the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in the first direction along a second arcuate path.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 40 and further comprising, prior to said step of rotating the needle driver, the step of causing the needle holding portion of the driver arm to move laterally outward from an undeployed position spaced inwardly of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft to a deployed position spaced outwardly of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 40 and further comprising, prior to said step of using the catcher arm, the step of causing the needle holding portion of the catcher arm to move laterally outward from an undeployed position spaced inwardly of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft to a deployed position spaced outwardly of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 40 and further comprising, prior to said step of rotating the driver arm, the step of causing the driver arm to move distally relative to the elongate shaft from an axially retracted position within the elongate shaft to an axially extended position protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 40 and further comprising, prior to said step of using the catcher arm, the step of causing the catcher arm to move distally relative to the elongate shaft from an axially retracted position within the elongate shaft to an axially extended position protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 40 wherein said step of receiving the suture needle in the needle holding portion of the catcher arm includes the step of rotating the catcher arm about the second longitudinal axis to cause the needle holding portion of the needle catcher to move arcuately in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 40 wherein said step of using the catcher arm includes the step of rotating the catcher arm about the second longitudinal axis to pull the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in the first direction along a second arcuate path coaxial with the second longitudinal axis.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
110 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 40 and further comprising, after releasing the suture needle from the needle holding portion of the driver arm, the steps of rotating the driver arm in a second direction opposite the first direction to receive the tip of the suture needle held by the needle holding portion of the catcher arm; grasping the suture needle with the needle holding portion of the driver arm; releasing the suture needle from the needle holding portion of the catcher arm; and rotating the driver arm in the first direction to cause the tip of the suture needle to penetrate through the anatomical tissue.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue using a length of suture material attached to a suture needle, said method comprising the steps of grasping the suture needle with a needle holding portion of a driver arm protruding distally from the distal end of an elongate shaft, the driver arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a first longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft; using the driver arm to drive the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in a first direction along a first arcuate path coaxial with the first longitudinal axis; receiving the tip of the suture needle in a needle holding portion of a catcher arm protruding distally from the distal end of the elongate shaft, the catcher arm extending laterally outward of an angle from a second longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft; grasping the suture needle with the needle holding portion of the catcher arm; releasing the suture needle from the needle holding portion of the driver arm; and rotating the catcher arm about the second longitudinal axis to pull the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in the first direction along a second arcuate path.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue using a length of suture material attached to a suture needle, said method comprising the steps of grasping the suture needle with a needle holding portion of a driver arm protruding distally from the distal end of an elongate shaft, the driver arm extending laterally outward at an angle from a first longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft; using the driver arm to drive the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in a first direction along a first arcuate path coaxial with the first longitudinal axis; receiving the tip of the suture needle in a needle holding portion of a catcher arm protruding distally from the distal end of the elongate shaft, the catcher arm extending laterally outward of an angle from a second longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft; grasping the suture needle with the needle holding portion of the catcher arm; releasing the suture needle from the needle holding portion of the driver arm; and rotating the catcher arm about the second longitudinal axis to pull the suture needle through the anatomical tissue in the first direction along a second arcuate path.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 48 wherein said step of using the driver arm includes the step of rotating the elongate shaft with the driver arm as a unit about the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft to drive the suture needle through the anatomical tissue.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 49 wherein said step of receiving the suture needle in the needle holding portion of the catcher arm includes the steps of maintaining the driver arm in a substantially stationary position and rotating the catcher arm along an arcuate path about the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft in the direction of the needle driver.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 48 and further comprising, prior to said step of using the driver arm, the step of causing the driver arm to move laterally outward from an undeployed position spaced inwardly of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft to a deployed position spaced outwardly of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 48 and further comprising, prior to said step of rotating the catcher arm, the step of causing the catcher arm to move laterally outward from an undeployed position spaced inwardly of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft to a deployed position spaced outwardly of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 48 and further comprising, prior to said step of using the driver arm, the step of causing the driver arm to move distally relative to the elongate shaft from an axially retracted position within the elongate shaft to an axially extended position protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 48 and further comprising, prior to said step of rotating the arm, the step of causing the catcher arm to move distally relative to the elongate shaft from an axially retracted position within the elongate shaft to an axially extended position protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 48 wherein said step of receiving the suture needle in the needle holding portion of the catcher arm includes the step of rotating the catcher arm about the second longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft to cause the needle holding portion of the catcher arm to move arcuately in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
114 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 48 and further comprising, after releasing the suture needle from the needle holding portion of the driver arm, the steps of rotating the driver arm in a second direction opposite the first direction to receive the tip of the suture needle held by the needle catcher in the needle holding portion of the driver arm; grasping the suture needle with the needle holding portion of the driver arm; releasing the suture needle from the needle holding portion of the catcher arm; and rotating the driver arm in the first direction to cause the tip of the suture needle to penetrate through the anatomical tissue.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
43 words
An instrument as recited in claim 33 wherein said first arcuate path has a radius of curvature causing at least a portion of said needle holding portion of said second needle holder to extend outwardly of said peripheral edge of said elongate shaft.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 40 wherein the first arcuate path and the second arcuate path pass outside of a peripheral edge of the elongate shaft.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 45 wherein said steps of rotating the driver arm and rotating the catcher arm are conducted simultaneously.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 48 wherein the first arcuate path and the second arcuate path pass outside of a peripheral edge of the elongate shaft.
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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) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-29 | 2011-05-31 | 2011-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |