Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A suturing device for remotely sealing an incision in a wall of a blood vessel or other biological
structure, comprising: an elongated body having a distal portion which is adapted to be inserted through the incision and
into the blood vessel, the distal portion having an outer wall with first and second apertures formed therein,
the elongated body further comprising first and second needle ports positioned proximal to the distal portion
such that the needle ports remain outside the blood vessel when the distal portion is positioned within the
blood vessel; first and second arms which retract into and extend out from the first and second apertures,
respectively, and which releasably hold a suture, the arms remotely movable to a deployed position in which
the arms extend outward from the body to hold the suture away from the body; and first and second needles which extend from the first and second needle ports, respectively, to
capture the suture, the needles remotely movable between a retracted position in which the needles are
housed within the body and an extended position in which the needles extend distally from the needle ports
and outwardly from the body; wherein movement of the needles from the retracted position to the extended position, and back
to the retracted position, with the arms deployed within the blood vessel and holding the suture, causes
the needles to pierce the blood vessel, release the suture from the arms, and withdraw a portion of the
suture from the blood vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, wherein a distal section of the elongated body, including the
needles and the needle ports, is configured to be percutaneously introduced into a patient through a standard catheter
sheath introducer (CSI) used to perform a catheterization procedure, such that the needles may be extended and
retracted to capture and withdraw the suture without removing the CSI from the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The suturing device of Claim 2, wherein a proximal section of the elongated body includes a marker
on an outer surface, the marker indicating a longitudinal position to which the CSI may be partially withdrawn to
expose the needle ports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, wherein the needles have a substantially straight configuration
when in the retracted position, and bend outward away from the body when in the extended position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The suturing device of Claim 4, wherein the needle ports include needle guides which apply an
outward force to the needles to cause the needles to bend outward.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the
body, the handle including controls for remotely moving the needles and the arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are interconnected by a flexible,
resilient hinge, the hinge holding the arms in a partially open position when the hinge is in a relaxed state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
The suturing device of Claim 7, wherein the flexible hinge is coupled to an actuator shaft which
extends within a lumen of the body, and wherein application of a proximal force to the actuator shaft causes the
arms to move from the partially open position to the deployed position, and application of a distal force to the
actuator shaft causes the arms to move from the partially open position to a retracted position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, wherein outer surfaces of the first and second arms are flush with
an outer surface of the body when the arms are retracted within the body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are substantially parallel to the
body when retracted within the apertures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The suturing device of Claim 10, wherein the first and second arms extend radially outward from
the body at an angle of approximately 90 degrees when in the deployed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, wherein the distal portion includes at least one blood port which
is fluidly coupled to a lumen within the elongated body, the lumen extending to a proximal portion of the elongated
body to allow a physician to determine whether the distal portion is in the blood vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The suturing device of Claim 12, wherein the lumen is coupled to a pressure sensor that provides
a visual indication of whether the distal portion is in the blood vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, wherein the arms are spaced proximally from a distal tip of the
body, so that the arms are inhibited from contacting a wall of the blood vessel opposite the incision during
deployment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, wherein each needle includes a groove formed circumferentially
therein, the groove configured to engage a loop at an end of the suture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, further comprising third and fourth arms which retract into and
extend from third and fourth apertures in the distal portion and releasably hold a second suture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The suturing device of Claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one marker thereon to visually
indicate a rotational orientation of the distal portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
A suturing device for remotely suturing an incision in the wall of a biological structure,
comprising: a body portion (6), and, movably mounted thereto; introducing means (500) for introducing a portion of a suture into said biological structure; at least one needle (248) movably mounted, relative to said introducing means, so as to penetrate
said wall to the side of said incision, and to engage said suture portion within said biological structure; and retraction means (50) for withdrawing the needle from the wall together with said suture portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 18, in which the introducing means (500) is arranged to enter, and introduce
said suture portion into, said structure through said incision.