Laparoscopic port site closure tool
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Publication Number
US-12376839-B2
Publication Date
2025-08-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device is provided to assist in closing an incision through body tissue that comprises a tubular body sized for introduction through the incision and carrying a plurality of stabilizer elements at the distal end thereof. The stabilizer elements are configured to be deployed within the body cavity to engage the lowermost tissue layer. In one method, the device is pulled with the stabilizer elements deployed to retract the body tissue away from adjacent body structure. In another method, a plurality of needle tips carrying sutures are guided through the body tissue to a retention device at the ends of the stabilizer elements. With the needle tips captured in the retention devices, the device is withdrawn from the incision so that the sutures form ligatures that can be tied off to close the incision.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a laparoscopic incision-closure assist device that includes a tubular body introduced through an incision. At the distal portion of the tubular body, at least one wing element or at least one capture element is selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position where the element extends laterally away from the tubular body, and the element is positioned between body tissue and a body structure adjacent the incision to support incision closure.
The tubular body defines first and second guide channels that extend obliquely relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body. Each guide channel extends from a proximal opening on one side of the tubular body to a distal opening on the same side, and is configured to direct a needle toward openings defined by the wing element or the capture element.
In the deployed configuration, the openings are aligned so the guide channels route the needle to the corresponding wing or capture openings. Needle guidance for closure is integrated with the deployed distal elements, and after placement into the wing or capture openings, sutures are configured to form ligature loops for tying off, with the tool withdrawn after capture so the ligature loops are formed by the sutures.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims covering both a device and a method. The core inventive theme across the independent claims is a tubular incision-closure assist tool/device with laterally deployable distal wing or capture elements and two obliquely extending guide channels that route a needle toward openings defined by the distal elements.
Tubular incision-closure assist device with movably deployed wing elements and two oblique guide channels
A tubular body for introduction through an incision, with at least one wing element movably supported at the distal portion and selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position where it extends laterally away from the tubular body, wherein the tubular body defines first and second guide channels extending obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis from proximal openings on opposite sides to distal openings on the same respective sides, and each guide channel is configured to direct a needle toward one or more openings defined by the wing element.
Method of deploying wing elements and advancing needles through oblique guide channels
Introducing a tubular body through an incision in a body tissue; deploying at least one wing element between the body tissue and a body structure adjacent the incision by actuating the at least one wing element to a deployed position; and advancing a needle through each of a first guide channel and a second guide channel, each guide channel extending obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis from a proximal opening on a side to a distal opening on the same side, and each guide channel directing the needle toward one or more openings of the at least one wing element.
Tubular incision-closure assist device with movably deployed capture elements and two oblique guide channels
A tubular body for introduction through an incision, with at least one capture element movably supported at the distal portion and selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position where the capture element extends laterally away from the tubular body, wherein the tubular body defines first and second guide channels extending obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis from proximal openings on first and second sides to distal openings on the respective sides, and each guide channel is configured to direct a needle toward one or more openings defined by the at least one capture element.
Overall, the claims cover a tubular device and a corresponding method in which distal laterally deployable wing or capture elements define openings, and two obliquely extending guide channels route needles toward those openings when the distal elements are deployed.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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