Methods, systems and devices for storing suture needles and using robotics for delivering selected suture needles to surgical sites
Inventors
VAILHE, CHRISTOPHE • Souls, Doug
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12303125-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
A surgical method includes arranging a plurality of suture needle containers in a surgical environment, whereby at least one of the suture needle containers includes a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a distal end that is closed by an end wall, a suture needle disposed within the receptacle, and a cover sealing the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle for maintaining a sterile environment for the suture needle inside the receptacle. The method includes causing a controller of a surgical robotic system to transmit input instructions to an electromechanical tool for breaching the cover for providing access to the suture needle disposed within the receptacle. After breaching the cover, a distal end of a surgical tool secures the suture needle for removing the secured suture needle from the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a surgical robotic method for selecting and delivering sterile suture needles from sealed suture needle containers into a surgical site. The method arranges a plurality of suture needle containers in a surgical environment and uses a receptacle with a distal end closed by an end wall, a proximal end with an opening, and a cover sealing the opening to maintain a sterile environment for a suture needle inside the receptacle.
A controller of a surgical robotic system transmits input instructions to an electromechanical tool to breach the cover to provide access to the suture needle. After breaching the cover, the method uses a distal end of a surgical tool for securing the suture needle and removing the secured suture needle from the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle, and then advances the secured suture needle through a cannula for delivering the secured suture needle to a surgical site.
In one aspect, selecting one of the sealed suture needles for use is performed before breaching the cover and securing and removing the secured suture needle. One container configuration includes a mandrel located inside the receptacle with a tubular wall projecting from the end wall toward the opening and an elongated slot formed in the tubular wall extending from a proximal end of the tubular wall toward the end wall of the receptacle, with a suture needle disposed within the elongated slot such that a distal end of the selected suture needle is disposed inside the tubular wall and a proximal end is disposed outside the tubular wall.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims. Across the independent claims, there are four main inventive feature themes: arranging sterile, sealed suture needle containers; robotic controller-driven breaching of a cover and securing/removing a selected needle; robotic advancement of the secured needle through a cannula for delivery to a surgical site; and container structural details that define how the suture needle is disposed and accessed for robotic securing.
Sterile sealed suture needle containers arranged in a surgical environment
Arranging a plurality of suture needle containers in a surgical environment, where each suture needle container comprises a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a distal end closed by an end wall, a suture needle disposed within the receptacle, and a cover sealing the opening at the proximal end to maintain a sterile environment for the suture needle inside the receptacle.
Robotic controller instructions for breaching a cover and securing/removing the needle
Causing a controller of a surgical robotic system to transmit input instructions to an electromechanical tool for breaching the cover for providing access to the suture needle, and after breaching the cover, using a distal end of a surgical tool for securing the suture needle and removing the secured suture needle from the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle; additionally, in the more specific method, selecting one of the sealed suture needles and breaching the cover of the selected container.
Advancing the secured suture needle through a cannula to the surgical site
Causing the controller of the surgical robotic system to transmit input instruction to the surgical tool or an electromechanical surgical tool to advance the secured suture needle through a cannula for delivering the secured suture needle to a surgical site.
Mandrel tubular wall with elongated slot disposing the suture needle
Providing a suture needle container where a mandrel is located inside the receptacle with a tubular wall projecting from the end wall toward the opening, an elongated slot formed in the tubular wall extending from a proximal end of the tubular wall toward the end wall of the receptacle, and a suture needle disposed within the elongated slot with a distal end disposed inside the tubular wall and a proximal end disposed outside the tubular wall, while a cover seals the opening to maintain a sterile environment inside the receptacle.
The independent claims cover a robotic workflow that maintains sterility using sealed suture needle containers, uses a robotic controller to breach a container cover and secure/remove a selected suture needle, and then advances the secured needle through a cannula for delivery to a surgical site. One claim further grounds this workflow in a defined container internal structure including a mandrel with a tubular wall and an elongated slot that disposes the suture needle with distal and proximal ends positioned relative to the tubular wall before removal.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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