Endoscopic suturing device with circular needle
Inventors
Ostrovsky, Isaac • Khanicheh, Azadeh
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12349897-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of suturing provides an endoscopic suture system. The endoscopic suture system has a needle coupled with a suture. The needle is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction. The system has a cable configured to move in a first direction and a second direction. The cable and the needle are configured to movably couple and uncouple. When the cable and the needle are coupled, movement of the cable in the first direction causes rotation of the needle in the first rotational direction. The method pulls the cable in the second direction, without rotating the needle, to cause coupling of the cable with the needle. The method pulls the cable in the first direction, after the needle and the cable are coupled, to rotate the needle.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an endoscopic suturing system for suturing a full-thickness GI defect using an arcuate or circular needle. The system provides clear camera vision and enables endoscopic suturing maneuvers through a flexible scope without requiring a dedicated tissue grabber or an extra working channel. A circular or arcuate needle is driven to perform repetitive single-suture maneuvers in a manner intended to improve simplicity, stability, and maneuverability.
The distal assembly is C-shaped and provides a non-perpendicular, non-aligned distal assembly angle relative to the endoscope axis, including an arcuate needle guide. The system uses a shuttle with a pawl that engages a needle notch, and includes notch ramping and engagement bias features to bias engagement. A cable is actuated from a proximal assembly and is configured to couple and uncouple the pawl-notched engagement while translating the needle out and in.
Actuation is performed via cable, needle, and cam-like mechanisms that include wheels or pulleys, such as a Bowden cable and cable sheath. Optional suture attachment mechanisms enable in-situ suture exchange, and an optional tilting housing varies the needle axis angle relative to the endoscope. The needle axis relative to endoscope axis configuration supports operation through flexible scopes without requiring a tissue grabber or dedicated extra working channel.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three different methods of suturing using an endoscopic suture system with a cable that movably couples and uncouples with a rotatable needle, with needle rotation caused by movement in a specified first cable direction. Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on controlling needle rotation via directional cable movement while changing coupled and uncoupled states, with three inventive features and related structural refinements.
Movably couple and uncouple cable with needle to rotate needle via first-direction movement
An endoscopic suture system having a needle configured to rotate in a first rotational direction, a suture coupled with the needle, and a cable configured to move in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the cable and the needle are configured to movably couple and uncouple such that when the cable and the needle are coupled, movement of the cable in the first direction causes rotation of the needle in the first rotational direction.
Couple without rotating, then alternate rotation and recoupling using first and second cable directions
Pulling the cable in the second direction, without rotating the needle, to cause coupling of the cable with the needle; pulling the cable in the first direction, after the needle and the cable are coupled, to rotate the needle; pulling the cable in the second direction, without rotating the needle, to cause coupling of the cable with the needle; and pulling the cable in the first direction, after the needle and the cable are coupled, to rotate the needle.
Rotate needle by pulling in first direction, then recouple cable by pulling in second direction
An endoscopic suture system having a needle configured to rotate in a first rotational direction and coupled with a suture, and a cable configured to move in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the cable and the needle are configured to be movably couple and uncouple, such that when the cable and the needle are coupled, movement of the cable in the first direction causes rotation of the needle in the first rotational direction; pulling the cable in the first direction to rotate the needle; and pulling the cable in the second direction to recouple the cable with the needle.
The independent claims primarily cover suturing methods that use an endoscopic suture system where a cable movably couples and uncouples with a rotatable needle, with needle rotation caused by movement in a specified first cable direction. The claims further distinguish method sequences by introducing coupling without rotating and by alternating cable pulling directions to rotate and then recouple the needle and cable, with additional dependent claim coverage narrowing to coupling mechanisms such as pawl-to-notch engagement and structural components such as an arcuate needle guide.
Stated Advantages
Improves simplicity.
Improves stability.
Improves maneuverability.
Provides clear camera vision.
Enables suturing without requiring a dedicated tissue grabber or an extra working channel.
Documented Applications
Suturing a full-thickness GI defect using an endoscopic suturing system.
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