초록 ▼

A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body involves the positioning of the tissue adjacent to the opening within a gap between proximal and distal parts of a flexible tube formed by a curved central part. A needle coupled to a suture loop is drawn from

A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body involves the positioning of the tissue adjacent to the opening within a gap between proximal and distal parts of a flexible tube formed by a curved central part. A needle coupled to a suture loop is drawn from a needle retention channel formed within the distal part through the tissue received in the gap and into a needle receiving channel formed within the proximal part. The needle may be drawn out by pulling on either the suture loop or a separate pull cord which extends through a lumen to an opening formed in the first end of the proximal part. After the device has been rotated and the procedure repeated, a second needle attached to the suture loop is drawn through the tissue in the same manner and the two ends are knotted together and tightened to seal the opening.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body comprising:a flexible tube including proximal and distal parts coupled together by a central part which extends away from a distal end of the proximal part to form a gap between the distal end

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body comprising:a flexible tube including proximal and distal parts coupled together by a central part which extends away from a distal end of the proximal part to form a gap between the distal end of the proximal part and a proximal end of the distal part and wherein the proximal part includes an end portion which, when the device is in an operative position, is located outside the body;at least one needle retention channel formed within the distal part for holding a plurality of needles therein, wherein the needle retention channel extends to a distal part opening formed in the proximal end of the distal part;a needle receiving channel formed within the proximal part and extending to a proximal part opening formed in the distal end of the proximal part;a lumen extending from an observation opening formed in the end portion of the proximal part to a lumen opening formed distally of a proximal end of the central part, wherein the observation opening fluidly couples the lumen with an outside of the flexible tube;at least one needle which, in an initial configuration, is received in needle retention channel with a tissue piercing proximal end of the at least one needle facing proximally toward the distal part opening; anda length of suture coupled to a distal end of the at least one needle, wherein in the initial configuration, the length of suture extends from the distal end of the at least one needle proximally within the needle retention channel along at least a portion of the length of the at least one needle and extends out of the end portion of the proximal part so that it is accessible to a user of the device; rein, when the device is in the operative position, the flexible tube extends through the opening in the anatomical structure with the proximal part opening and the distal part opening on opposite sides of the anatomical structure.