APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STERNOTOMY CLOSURE

摘要

A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a drive mechanism at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the drive mechanism is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the drive mechanism, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.

主权项

1. A tissue closure device comprising:
(a) a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the handle defining an enclosable compartment therein, the enclosable compartment being adjustable from an open condition wherein the compartment is exposed to the environment outside the compartment to an enclosed condition wherein the enclosable compartment defines a sterile barrier that isolates the enclosable compartment from the environment outside the compartment; (b) a pusher assembly extending from the distal end of the handle, the pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a drive mechanism at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the drive mechanism is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a split ring suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end around a circular needle track about a rotational axis; and (c) a removable electronic module that is removably disposable in the enclosable compartment, the enclosable compartment forming a sterile barrier around the removable electronic module when the handle is in the enclosed condition, the removable electronic module being controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the drive mechanism, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis, the removable electronic module including:
(i) a power source for providing power to the electronic module;(ii) a motor and a gear box adapted to provide a rotational force to rotate the drive shaft and the drive mechanism to rotate the suturing needle; and(iii) an electronics board that controls operation of the electronic module.