Suture delivery device for suturing tissue

Inventors

Wu, I-Ching • HU, Eric Y. • Lee, Po-Hua • Tang, Hsiao-Wei • Cheng, Shuling

Assignees

Medeon International Inc • Shennder Corp • Medeon Biodesign Inc

Abstract

Systems are provided for delivering a suture to close a surgical opening. An elongated deployment member may have at its distal end a retracted counterforce member. The counterforce member may be inserted into the surgical opening and deployed to resist being withdrawn from the opening. A compression member may be slid down the elongated member to compress the tissue to be sutured against the counterforce member. Suture passers loaded with suture ends may be passed through needle tubes within the elongated member to emerge from the elongated member and pierce the tissue to be sutured, then deposit the suture ends with a suture catcher. The suture passers may be withdrawn, leaving the suture ends. The suture catcher may be retracted, retaining the suture ends and the device—elongated member, retracted suture catcher, and retained suture end—may be withdrawn from the surgical opening. The suture may then be completed.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a laparoscopic suture delivery device for suturing tissue. The device includes an elongated deployment member, a distal counterforce member that transitions between a retracted configuration facilitating entry into an incision and a deployed configuration that resists extracting the counterforce member from the incision, and a proximal compression member configured to resist entering the incision and to transition between an uncompressed configuration and a compressed configuration.

A distal suture catcher is disposed towards the distal end of the elongated deployment member and transitions between a retracted configuration facilitating entry into the incision and a deployed configuration facilitating catching a suture. The compression member includes a first needle track and a second needle track, each oriented to direct a needle advanced through the respective needle track into engagement with a first area and a second area of the suture catcher when in the deployed configuration, with the first and second areas situated to allow placement on opposite sides of an incision.

The disclosed system further includes enclosed needle tracks, a reconfigurable distal suture catcher, and additional embodiments for needle track routing and suture capture. The suture catcher may include membranes and teeth and flexible wings or struts, and may be closed to retain suture ends while the device is withdrawn, with additional features enabling auto or assisted suture release via an internal suture escape slot.

Claims Coverage

The document provides three independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00019, clm-00020). Across these claims, the coverage centers on coordinated distal counterforce deployment, proximal compression deployment, and a distal suture catcher with first and second needle tracks that direct needles into engagement areas positioned on opposite sides of an incision.

Claim coverage is grounded in a laparoscopic suture delivery architecture having an elongated deployment member, a distal counterforce member that moves between retracted and deployed configurations to resist extraction, a proximal compression member that moves between uncompressed and compressed configurations, and a distal suture catcher that transitions between retracted and deployed configurations. All independent claims require first and second needle tracks through the compression member that direct needles into engagement with first and second suture catcher areas positioned to allow placement on opposite sides of an incision.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications