Apparatus and methods for tissue closure

摘要

Apparatus and methods are provided for treating a tissue opening, for example a trocar opening used in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. In a tissue closure device, a finger guard or shield can be used, handle or holding area or areas can be used, and positioning indicators can be used. A resiliently flexible target material can also be used for reliably holding a suture the procedure. Introducers can be used having a suture holder, an alignment indicator and insertion limits.

主权项

1. A tissue closure assembly, comprising:
a longitudinally extending body having a proximal portion for manual disposition and having a distal portion for insertion into an opening in a tissue layer, the distal portion having a first wall extending to a suture receiving element supported by the distal portion, and the proximal portion including a shield having a laterally extending surface beyond the first wall, wherein a first needle-receiving opening is defined at a first axial position on the longitudinally extending body and extends through the laterally extending surface of the shield, and an exit opening is defined at a second axial position on the longitudinally extending body distal of the first axial position and on a periphery of the first wall, and wherein the laterally extending surface of the shield and the first wall are perpendicularly oriented relative to each other such that the body defines a linear path from the first needle-receiving opening to the exit opening, wherein the linear path is aligned with the suture receiving element when the suture receiving element is in a deployed position.