IPC분류정보
| 국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
| 국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
| 출원번호 |
US-0127254
(2002-04-22)
|
| §371/§102 date |
20011113
(20011113)
|
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Meade, John C.
- Deloughery, Niall G.
- Brecher, Gerald I.
- Bleck, James H.
|
| 출원인 / 주소 |
|
| 대리인 / 주소 |
|
| 인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
222 인용 특허 :
32 |
초록
▼
An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An apparatus for tissue suturing comprising a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis; a pusher assembly comprising a cartridge holder having
An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An apparatus for tissue suturing comprising a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis; a pusher assembly comprising a cartridge holder having a needle rotation drive capable of releasably engaging the cartridge and rotating the suturing needle about the axis; and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle rotation drive to rotate the needle rotation drive. A method for suturing tissue comprising placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span separated tissue segments; activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the separated tissue segments; and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the separated tissue segments forming a stitch.
대표청구항
▼
1. A suturing device comprising:a cartridge having a protective housing and a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the protective housing after a complete rotat
1. A suturing device comprising:a cartridge having a protective housing and a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the protective housing after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the axis; a pusher assembly comprising a cartridge holder assembly having a needle rotation drive, the cartridge holder assembly capable of releasably engaging the cartridge to bring the needle rotation drive into operational contact with the suturing needle wherein the needle rotation drive releasably engages the suturing needle to rotate the suturing needle; and an actuator capable of engaging the needle rotation drive to rotate the needle rotation drive and the suturing needle. 2. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the cartridge further comprises:a curved lip covering an arc greater than about 180° and less than about 330°; a track in a wall whereby the suturing needle follows a curved path along the track during needle rotation; and an aperture in the curved lip which intercepts the track whereby the pointed end of the suturing needle traverses the aperture during each revolution of the suturing needle along the path. 3. The suturing device of claim 2 wherein the cartridge further comprises a suturing material dispenser containing a suturing material.4. The suturing device of claim 2 wherein the cartridge further comprises a thread management system.5. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the cartridge further comprises at least one mounting clip whereby the cartridge is releasably engaged with the cartridge holder assembly having the needle rotation drive.6. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the suturing needle covers an arc greater than about 180° and less than about 330° having an aperture located adjacent to the blunt end for engaging a suturing material.7. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the suturing needle comprises an aperture between the pointed end and blunt end.8. The suturing device of claim 1 further comprising an interlocking mechanism capable of releasably locking the suturing needle with the needle rotation drive whereby rotational movement of the needle rotation drive causes the suturing needle to rotate.9. The suturing device of claim 8 wherein the interlocking mechanism further comprises a plurality of engagement notches that interfit with the needle rotation drive whereby the suturing needle is rotated by said needle rotation drive in a direction which advances the pointed end of the suturing needle.10. The suturing device of claim 9 wherein the interlocking mechanism engages at least one notch on a surface of the suturing needle.11. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the pusher assembly comprises:the cartridge holder assembly having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end capable of engaging the cartridge and the proximal end releasably attached to a support arm assembly having at least one arm; and a drive shaft having at least one segment attached to the proximal end of the cartridge holder assembly. 12. The suturing device of claim 11 wherein the support arm assembly has two arms that are spatially configured to provide visual access between the support arms.13. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the cartridge holder assembly further comprises:a curved ring having a lip covering an arc greater than about 180° and less than about 330°; a track in the lip whereby the suturing needle follows a curved path along the track during needle rotation; an aperture in a wall which intercepts the track whereby the pointed end of the suturing needle traverses the aperture during each revolution of the suturing needle along the curved path wherein the needle rotation drive capable of rotation about an axis that releasably engages the suturing needle whereby rotation of the needle rotation drive in a curved path causes a corresponding rotation of the needle; a pawl capable of controlling the direction of rotation of the suturing needle; and at least one segment of a drive shaft that is releasably attached to the needle rotation drive. 14. The suturing device of claim 13 wherein the cartridge holder assembly further comprises a releasably locking gate assembly.15. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the cartridge holder assembly further comprises at least one mounting clip whereby the cartridge holder assembly releasably engages the cartridge having the suturing needle.16. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the needle rotation drive comprises:a rotatable needle driver mounted in a terminally located housing capable of coupling to a cartridge capable of releasably engaging a suturing needle contained therein whereby rotation of the rotatable needle driver causes rotation of the suturing needle; and a drive shaft attaching to an end of the housing capable of rotating the rotatable needle driver. 17. The suturing device of claim 16 wherein the drive shaft couples the needle driver to an actuator to rotate the needle driver about an axis.18. The suturing device of claim 16 wherein the drive shaft comprises a plurality of separable shaft segments that are coupled by a universal joint assembly that allows said plurality of segments to rotate together.19. The suturing device of claim 18 wherein the universal joint assembly comprises at least one universal coupler that enables said drive shaft coupled by said universal coupler to rotate when the plurality of shaft segments are configured non-linearly with respect to each other and with respect to a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.20. The suturing device of claim 18 wherein the plurality of separable shaft segments are configured linearly or non-linearly with respect to one another and are coupled by at least one universal joint assembly.21. The suturing device of claim 18 wherein the universal joint assembly comprises a sleeve capable of releasably enclosing the joint assembly in an angular rigid configuration with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.22. The suturing device of claim 16 wherein the drive shaft comprises a ratchet assembly capable of restrictably controlling the extent and direction of rotation of the drive shaft and the needle driver attached to the drive shaft upon actuation of the drive shaft by the actuator.23. The suturing device of claim 22 wherein the ratchet assembly comprises:a ratchet ring comprising a central bore capable of allowing the passage of a drive shaft segment therethrough and a plurality of grooves covering at least part of an external surface mounted in a housing; a locking mechanism capable of releasably locking the ratchet ring to the drive shaft whereby rotational movement of the drive shaft causes a similar rotation of the ratchet ring; a plurality of wedges symmetrically located on a surface of the ratchet ring; a pawl that engages the grooves of the ratchet ring; a shuttle attached to the housing capable of contacting the wedges and controlling the rotation of the ratchet ring; and a pinion gear comprising a substantially cylindrical grooved segment attached to a terminal end of the drive shaft segment. 24. The suturing device of claim 23 wherein the locking mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a screw, a pin and a bolt.25. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the needle rotation drive causes rotation of the suturing needle comprising a blunt end and a sharp pointed end by providing a pushing force adjacent to said blunt end and a pulling force adjacent to said sharp pointed end.26. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the actuator is a manually operable trigger, button or switch.27. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the actuator is mechanically operable by an electrical device or a fuel driven device.28. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the actuator is activated by automation using a power source selected from the group consisting of electrical, electromagnetic, compressed air, compressed gas, hydraulic, vacuum and hydrocarbon fuels.29. The suturing device of claim 1 further comprising a curved track on an inner surface of the cartridge wherein the suturing needle moves in the curved track during rotation of the suturing needle.30. The suturing device of claim 1 further comprising a curved track on an inner surface of the cartridge that contains the pointed end of the suturing needle prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle.31. The suturing device of claim 1 wherein the suturing needle is slidably positioned in a curved track of the cartridge.32. A surgical device for suturing mammalian tissue comprising:an actuator handle having an attachment end; an elongated drive shaft having a distal end, a proximal end attached to the attachment end of the actuator handle, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end; a support arm assembly having a proximal end and a distal end releasably attached to a cartridge holder assembly having a needle rotation drive capable of engaging and rotating a suturing needle about a rotational axis, the proximal end of the support arm assembly releasably attached to the distal end of the drive shaft to fix the support arm assembly relative to the drive shaft; a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of the cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly whereby the suturing needle releasably engages the needle rotation drive in the cartridge holder assembly, wherein a pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the protective housing after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis; and an actuator attached to the actuator handle for causing rotation of the drive shaft and the needle rotation drive, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis of the needle rotation drive. 33. The surgical device of claim 32 wherein the suturing needle is arcuate having a radius commensurate with a rotational radius of the needle rotation drive of the cartridge holder assembly, the needle rotation drive releasably engaging the suturing needle so the suturing needle is oriented around the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.34. The surgical device of claim 32 wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of a trigger, a push button, a lever, a pedal and a mechanically driven switch.35. The surgical device of claim 32 wherein the actuator is operated by applying a manual or an automated mechanical force.36. The surgical device of claim 35 wherein the automated mechanical force is a power source selected from the group consisting of electrical, electromagnetic, compressed air, compressed gas, hydraulic, vacuum and hydrocarbon fuels.37. The surgical device of claim 32 further comprising a curved track on an inner surface of the cartridge wherein the suturing needle moves in the curved track during rotation of the suturing needle.38. The surgical device of claim 32 further comprising a curved track on an inner surface of the cartridge that contains the pointed end of the suturing needle prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle.39. The surgical device of claim 32 wherein the suturing needle is slidably positioned in a curved track of the cartridge.40. A method for suturing tissue comprising the steps of:releasably engaging a cartridge to a cartridge holder assembly of a suturing device; placing a the suturing device having a the cartridge with a protective housing and a suturing needle to cause an aperture in the cartridge to span a plurality of separated tissue segments, wherein a pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the protective housing after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about a rotational axis; activating an actuator coupled to a needle rotation drive that releasably engages the suturing needle to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle across the aperture and advance the suturing needle through the plurality of separated tissue segments; and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material attached to the suturing needle to be pulled through the plurality of separated tissue segments forming a stitch. 41. The method of claim 40 wherein the surgical device comprises:an actuator handle having an attachment end; an elongated drive shall having a distal end, a proximal end attached to the attachment end of the actuator handle, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end; a support arm assembly having a proximal end and a distal end releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly having the needle rotation drive capable of engaging and rotating the suturing needle, the proximal end of the support arm assembly releasably attached to the distal end of the drive shaft to fix the support arm assembly relative to the drive shaft; the cartridge having the suturing needle, the cartridge releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly whereby the suturing needle is capable of engaging the needle rotation drive in the cartridge holder assembly, wherein the cartridge extends from a distal end of the cartridge holder assembly; and an actuator attached to the actuator handle for causing rotation of the drive shaft and the needle rotation drive, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. 42. The method of claim 41 wherein the suturing needle is arcuate having a radius commensurate with a rotational radius of the needle rotation drive of the cartridge holder assembly, the needle rotation drive releasably engaging the suturing needle so the suturing needle is oriented around a rotational axis of said needle rotation drive.43. The method of claim 41 wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of a trigger, a push button, a lever, a pedal and a mechanically driven switch.44. The method of claim 41 wherein the actuator is operated by applying a manual or automated mechanical force.45. The method of claim 44 wherein the automated mechanical force is a power source selected from the group consisting of electrical, electromagnetic, compressed air, compressed gas, hydraulic, vacuum and hydrocarbon fuels.46. The method of claim 40 wherein the needle rotation drive causes rotation of the suturing needle comprising a blunt end and a sharp pointed end by providing a pushing force adjacent to said blunt end and a pulling force adjacent to said sharp pointed end.47. The method of claim 40 wherein the tissue is mammalian tissue.48. The method of claim 40 further comprising moving the suturing needle in a curved track on an inner surface of the cartridge during rotation of the suturing needle.49. The method of claim 40 further comprising positioning the pointed end of the suturing needle within a curved track of the cartridge prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle.50. The method of claim 40 further comprising slidably positioning the suturing needle in a curved track of the cartridge.51. A method for suturing tissue at a wound or incision site comprising the steps of:(a) releasably engaging a cartridge to a cartridge holder assembly of a suturing device; (b) placing a suturing device having a cartridge with a protective housing and a suturing needle at the wound site or incision site to cause an aperture in the cartridge to span a tissue of the wound or incision site, wherein a pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the protective housing after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about a rotational axis; (c) activating an actuator coupled to a needle rotation drive that releasably engages the suturing needle to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle across the aperture and advance the suture needle through the tissue of the wound or incision site; and (d) deactivating the actuator at the completion of advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material attached to the suturing needle to be pulled through the tissue of the wound or incision site; and repeating steps B through D to cause a plurality of stitches to be placed through the tissue of the wound or incision site. 52. The method of claim 51 for obtaining a series of continuous sutures to close the wound or incision site.53. The method of claim 51 wherein the surgical device comprises:an actuator handle having an attachment end; an elongated drive shaft having a distal end, a proximal end attached to the attachment end of the actuator handle, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end; a support arm assembly having a proximal end and a distal end releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly having the needle rotation drive capable of engaging and rotating the suturing needle, the proximal end of the support arm assembly releasably attached to the distal end of the drive shaft to fix the support arm assembly relative to the drive shaft; the cartridge having the suturing needle, the cartridge releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly whereby the suturing needle is capable of engaging the needle rotation drive in the cartridge holder assembly, wherein the cartridge extends from a distal end of the cartridge holder assembly; and an actuator attached to the actuator handle for causing rotation of the drive shaft and the needle rotation drive, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. 54. The method of claim 53 wherein the needle rotation drive causes rotation of the suturing needle comprising a blunt end and a sharp pointed end by providing a pushing force adjacent to said blunt end and a pulling force adjacent to said sharp pointed end.55. The method of claim 53 wherein the suturing needle is arcuate having a radius commensurate with a rotational radius of the needle rotation drive of the cartridge holder assembly, the needle rotation drive releasably engaging the suturing needle so the suturing needle is oriented around the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.56. The method of claim 53 wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of a trigger, a push button, a lever, a pedal and a mechanically driven switch.57. The method of claim 53 wherein the actuator is operated by applying a manual or automated mechanical force.58. The method of claim 57 wherein the automated mechanical force is a power source selected from the group consisting of electrical, electromagnetic, compressed air, compressed gas, hydraulic, vacuum and hydrocarbon fuels.59. The method of claim 51 wherein the tissue is mammalian tissue.60. The method of claim 51 further comprising moving the suturing needle in a curved track on an inner surface of the cartridge during rotation of the suturing needle.61. The method of claim 51 further comprising positioning the pointed end of the suturing needle within a curved track of the cartridge prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle.62. The method of claim 51 further comprising slidably positioning the suturing needle in a curved track of the cartridge.
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