Apparatus and method for suturing tissue

摘要

A suturing device of the present invention is in the form a compact, light-weight handheld device that includes a needle and suture assembly, a mechanism for gripping and releasing the needle/suture (a “needle transfer mechanism” or “needle shuttle mechanism”), safely capturing the needle/suture upon exit from the patient's tissue, and returning the needle to a position such that the process of delivering additional sutures to the patient can be repeated. A safety shield mechanism ensures the user is protected from the needle at all times. The device of the present invention accommodates the right or left-handed user, rests comfortably in the user's hand, allows sufficient visualization of the procedure site, and permits the user to either control penetration depth of the needle or default to a device-determined depth. The present device permits the user to utilize a wrist-rotation (pivoting) suture delivery technique.

主权项

1. A device for suturing tissue comprising:
a handle including a housing having a distal end and an opposite proximal end; a suturing needle for advancing a suture through the tissue, the suturing needle having a first pointed end and an opposite second end; a first needle gripper coupled to the housing, wherein the first needle gripper includes a biased pin and is movable between a first position in which the suturing needle can freely move relative thereto and a second position in which the suturing needle is held by the first needle gripper, wherein the movement of the biased pin results in grasping and releasing of the suturing needle; a second needle gripper coupled to the housing, the second needle gripper being movable between a first position in which the suturing needle can freely move relative thereto and a second position in which in the suturing needle is held by the second needle; an actuator disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the second needle gripper for moving the second needle gripper between the first and second positions; and a safety mechanism coupled to the housing and configured for shielding the pointed end of the needle; wherein prior to insertion of the suturing needle into the tissue, the suturing needle is held by the first needle gripper and subsequent to passage of the suturing needle through the tissue and upon activation of the actuator, the suturing needle is released from the first needle gripper and is captured and held by the second needle gripper to allow retraction of the suturing needle from the tissue; wherein the first needle gripper is fixedly attached to the housing, while the second needle gripper is rotatable about a first axis, wherein rotation of the second needle gripper in a first direction towards the tissue allows capture of the suturing needle after the suturing needle exits the tissue and subsequent rotation of the second needle gripper about the first axis in an opposite second direction away from the tissue causes retraction of the needle from the tissue, the handle also being rotatable about the same first axis.