US5591180A — Surgical suturing apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 128 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue comprising: first and second elongated body halves detachably connected to one another, each body half having proximal and distal portions and defining a longitudinal axis such that when the body halves are connected, the respective proximal and distal portions are positionable substantially adjacent each other; first and second needles movable with respect to the first and second body halves, respectively, each of the needles having a penetrating tip facing in a distal direction; at least one actuator operatively associated with the first and second needles, wherein actuation of the at least one actuator advances the first and second needles into body tissue a needle engaging member positioned in proximity to the distal portions; and a suture attached to the needle engaging member.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 128 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue comprising: first and second elongated body halves detachably connected to one another, each body half having proximal and distal portions and defining a longitudinal axis such that when the body halves are connected, the respective proximal and distal portions are positionable substantially adjacent each other; first and second needles movable with respect to the first and second body halves, respectively, each of the needles having a penetrating tip facing in a distal direction; at least one actuator operatively associated with the first and second needles, wherein actuation of the at least one actuator advances the first and second needles into body tissue a needle engaging member positioned in proximity to the distal portions; and a suture attached to the needle engaging member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue according to claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises first and second tabs slidably mounted with respect to the first and second body halves to drive the first and second needles distally into body tissue.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue according to claim 2, wherein each of the body halves has a window formed therein for receiving body tissue.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue according to claim 1, wherein the first and second body halves are detachably connected at a pivot point at the proximal end portion.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 173 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue comprising: first and second elongated body halves detachably connected to one another, each body half having proximal and distal portions and defining a longitudinal axis; first and second needles movable with respect to the first and second body halves, respectively, each of the needles having a penetrating tip facing in a distal direction; at least one actuator operatively associated with the first and second needles, wherein actuation of the at least one actuator advances the first and second needles into body tissue; a first ferrule positioned in the distal end portion of the first body half and a second ferrule positioned in the distal end portion of the second body half, and a suture connected at one end to the first ferrule and connected at the other end to the second ferrule, wherein actuation of the at least one actuator to advance the first and second needles advances the first needle into engagement with the first ferrule and the second needle into engagement with the second ferrule.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 173 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue comprising: first and second elongated body halves detachably connected to one another, each body half having proximal and distal portions and defining a longitudinal axis; first and second needles movable with respect to the first and second body halves, respectively, each of the needles having a penetrating tip facing in a distal direction; at least one actuator operatively associated with the first and second needles, wherein actuation of the at least one actuator advances the first and second needles into body tissue; a first ferrule positioned in the distal end portion of the first body half and a second ferrule positioned in the distal end portion of the second body half, and a suture connected at one end to the first ferrule and connected at the other end to the second ferrule, wherein actuation of the at least one actuator to advance the first and second needles advances the first needle into engagement with the first ferrule and the second needle into engagement with the second ferrule.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 125 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue comprising: first and second elongated body halves detachably connected to one another, each body half having proximal and distal portions and defining a longitudinal axis; first and second needles movable with respect to the first and second body halves, respectively, each of the needles having a penetrating tip facing in a distal direction; at least one actuator operatively associated with the first and second needles, wherein actuation of the at least one actuator advances the first and second needles; wherein each of the body halves has a recess for receiving body tissue, an elongated slot positioned proximally of the recess for receiving the needle, and a needle engaging member positioned distally of the recess and attached to a suture.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 125 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue comprising: first and second elongated body halves detachably connected to one another, each body half having proximal and distal portions and defining a longitudinal axis; first and second needles movable with respect to the first and second body halves, respectively, each of the needles having a penetrating tip facing in a distal direction; at least one actuator operatively associated with the first and second needles, wherein actuation of the at least one actuator advances the first and second needles; wherein each of the body halves has a recess for receiving body tissue, an elongated slot positioned proximally of the recess for receiving the needle, and a needle engaging member positioned distally of the recess and attached to a suture.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 36 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue according to claim 6, wherein upon movement of the at least one actuator, each needle is forced from the elongated slot, and into frictional engagement with the needle engaging member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 46 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue according to claim 7, wherein the first and second needles are movable between a retracted position and an extended position such that upon return of the needles to the retracted position, each needle pulls the engaged needle engaging member proximally.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 34 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue according to claim 8, wherein each needle engaging member is substantially cylindrical in configuration and has a bore for receiving the penetrating tip of one of the needles.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 130 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue comprising: an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the elongated body portion defining a central bore configured and dimensioned to permit passage of a trocar cannula through the bore, such that the cannula may extend from the distal end of the elongated body portion and being removably mountable to an outer surface of the trocar cannula, the elongated body portion further having a window to receive body tissue; first and second needles slidably mounted within the elongated body portion to penetrate body tissue; and a suture initially spaced from the first and second needles, wherein movement of the first and second needles distally connects the first and second needles to the suture.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 130 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue comprising: an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the elongated body portion defining a central bore configured and dimensioned to permit passage of a trocar cannula through the bore, such that the cannula may extend from the distal end of the elongated body portion and being removably mountable to an outer surface of the trocar cannula, the elongated body portion further having a window to receive body tissue; first and second needles slidably mounted within the elongated body portion to penetrate body tissue; and a suture initially spaced from the first and second needles, wherein movement of the first and second needles distally connects the first and second needles to the suture.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 51 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue according to claim 10, wherein the suture is connected at each end to a ferrule such that movement of the first and second needles distally moves the needles into frictional engagement with the ferrule to thereby connect the first and second needles to the suture.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 21 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue according to claim 11, further comprising a pair of tabs for moving the needles distally.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 25 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue according to claim 11, wherein the body portion comprises first and second body halves pivotably connected to each other.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

An apparatus for suturing body tissue according to claim 13, wherein the body halves are detachably connected at a proximal end portion at a single pivot point.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 94 words

A method for closing trocar wounds comprising: a) providing a suturing apparatus having first and second body halves, first and second needles and a trocar cannula positioned in an axial bore thereof; b) inserting the apparatus into the body cavity through the trocar wound; c) advancing the first needle through the first body half and the second needle through the second body half to penetrate body tissue; d) retracting the first and second needles within the first and second body halves, respectively; and e) separating the first and second body halves from each other.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 94 words

A method for closing trocar wounds comprising: a) providing a suturing apparatus having first and second body halves, first and second needles and a trocar cannula positioned in an axial bore thereof; b) inserting the apparatus into the body cavity through the trocar wound; c) advancing the first needle through the first body half and the second needle through the second body half to penetrate body tissue; d) retracting the first and second needles within the first and second body halves, respectively; and e) separating the first and second body halves from each other.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method for closing trocar wounds according to claim 15, wherein the step of advancing the first and second needles includes the step of advancing the needles in a distal direction.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method for closing trocar wounds according to claim 16, wherein the step of advancing the first and second needles includes the step of connecting each needle to a portion of a suture positioned in a distal end portion of the body halves.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 37 words

A method for closing trocar wounds according to claim 17, wherein the step of connecting each needle to a portion of the suture includes the step of each needle frictionally engaging a ferrule connected to the suture.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 53 words

A method for closing trocar wounds according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of: a) withdrawing the first and second body halves from the body cavity to pull the suture through the tissue; b) removing the suture from the ferrules; and c) forming a knot in the suture outside the body cavity.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 52 words

A method for closing trocar wounds according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of: a) withdrawing the first and second body halves from the body cavity to pull the suture through the body tissue; b) removing the suture from the ferrules; and c) wrapping the suture around a cannula fastening device.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-01-07	2000-07-08	2001-01-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-01-07	2004-07-08	2005-01-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-01-07	2008-07-08	2009-01-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Surgical suturing apparatus

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