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Publication Number
US-12053173-B2
Publication Date
2024-08-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A suturing system including apparatus and methods for disposing stitches in a substrate comprising a thread carrier which inserts a thread in the substrate at a first location and withdraws the thread from the substrate at a second location.
Core Innovation
A suturing system includes a suturing probe with a recessed chamber port and a thread carrier driver that moves a thread carrier between a retracted condition and an extended condition. A valved conduit with a vacuum port and an ambient pressure port regulates pressure in a substrate capture chamber by equalizing chamber pressure to ambient to control pressure in the substrate capture chamber. The thread carrier passes through the substrate capture chamber when extended and enters a thread capture chamber to engage a thread capture assembly.
The thread capture chamber includes a thread capture assembly with a resiliently flexible hook member and a hook that forms a thread loop when the thread carrier is retracted. The thread carrier includes a thread carrier aperture element with an aperture and a notch passage, where the notch passage is configured to guide engagement and alignment for capturing and retaining the thread during retraction. The thread carrier has a terminal end shaped as a sharpened point of a needle.
The substrate capture chamber has a stadium configuration, providing increased spacing between a suture purchase and an entry-withdraw point. A ratchet assembly enables unidirectional movement of the thread carrier and prevents backtracking prior to capture/disengagement. A thread carrier with an aperture and angular notch passage and hook alignment is configured to slidably engage the resiliently flexible hook and pass into the notch disposed in the thread carrier.
Claims Coverage
One independent claim is identified: a thread capture device. It includes four main inventive features: a thread carrier with a needle-like terminal end, a notch proximate the terminal end, an aperture element with openings on opposite sides positioned between the terminal end and the notch, and a first resiliently flexible hook member whose hook is slidably engaged by the moving thread carrier to pass into the notch.
Needle-shaped terminal end on the thread carrier
A thread carrier having a terminal end, said terminal end shaped as a sharpened point of a needle.
Notch proximate the terminal end
A notch disposed in said thread carrier proximate said thread carrier terminal end.
Aperture element between the terminal end and the notch
An aperture element having a pair of openings disposed on opposite sides of said thread carrier, said aperture element disposed between said thread carrier terminal end and said notch.
Slidably engaged resilient hook passing into the notch
A first resiliently flexible hook member terminating in a first hook, said thread carrier moves to slidably engage said first hook to pass into said notch disposed in said thread carrier.
Across the identified independent claim, the thread carrier geometry, the notch placement, the aperture element with opposite-side openings positioned between the terminal end and the notch, and the sequential slidable engagement with a resiliently flexible hook that passes into the notch define the core claimed thread capture structure.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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