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US5632752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Surgical suturing device
Assignee: LARPAROMED Corp 9272 JERONIMO ROAD UNIT 109
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Filing: 1994-07-22
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Granted: 1997-05-27
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Expires: 2014-07-22
Abstract
Abstract An improved device and method for suturing penetrations and incisions through tissue into a body cavity. The device should find particular use in laparoscopic and other types of minimally invasive surgical procedures. A device according to the invention includes a shaft and an inverted needle joined to the shaft. Two ends of a length of suture material are attached at or near a sharpened proximal tip on the needle. The device may include a movable shield that is slidable to alternately cover and expose the sharpened tip of the needle. This shield may include a blunt distal end and an inclined proximal surface to assist the surgeon in guiding the hook into and out of the body cavity. The device may be provided with a visual and tactile indicator on one side of the device to assist the user in threading and removing the suture material into and out of a selected side of the hook.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry Buelna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0493; A61B17/06; A61B17/06066; A61B2017/047; A61B17/06004; A61B2017/06019; A61B2017/06023; A61B2017/06042; A61B2017/06071; A61B2017/0608; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0801; A61B2090/08021; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3937; A61B2090/3962
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A surgical suture device comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an inverted needle having a distal end and a sharpened proximal tip; means located on the needle immediately distal to the sharpened tip for separately securing opposite ends of a length of suture thereto, wherein one end of suture can be removed from the needle without dislodging the other end of suture; and means for securing the needle near the distal end of the shaft so that the needle can move laterally between a protected position and an exposed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A surgical suture device comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an inverted needle having a distal end and a sharpened proximal tip; means located on the needle immediately distal to the sharpened tip for separately securing opposite ends of a length of suture thereto, wherein one end of suture can be removed from the needle without dislodging the other end of suture; and means for securing the needle near the distal end of the shaft so that the needle can move laterally between a protected position and an exposed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the needle moves laterally between the protected and exposed positions by a laterally movable arm securing the needle to the shaft, the arm being laterally movable relative to an axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the needle is held substantially parallel to the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for securing the needle comprises a knob at the proximal end of the shaft, a rod attached to the knob and disposed axially within the shaft, and an arm attached to a distal end of the rod, wherein the distal end of the needle is secured to the arm so that rotation of the knob moves the needle between the protected and exposed positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 4, further comprising locking means on the shaft for locking the needle in the exposed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 5, wherein the locking means includes a resilient button at the proximal end of the knob, the button extending in a proximal axial direction above a distal end of the knob when the needle is in the exposed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the arm is curved so that when the needle is in the protected position, the arm is substantially flush with the shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a recess for receiving the needle when the needle is in the protected position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for securing the suture comprises a pair of spaced-apart anchors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 9, wherein the anchors are selected from the group consisting of apertures and slots.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 9, wherein the needle includes a bend near the anchors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 11, wherein the bend is positioned between the pair of anchors to provide an area on the needle where the suture is disengaged from the needle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
102 words
An assembly comprising: a length of a suture; and a surgical suturing device including an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an inverted needle attached to the distal end of the shaft, the needle having a sharpened proximal tip, wherein at least two apertures are provided in the proximal tip for attaching the suture thereto, one of said at least two apertures disposed within 5 mm of the sharpened proximal tip for attaching one end of the suture thereto; wherein the suture is disposed within the apertures with each end of the suture having an approximately equal length.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
An assembly comprising: a length of a suture; and a surgical suturing device including an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an inverted needle attached to the distal end of the shaft, the needle having a sharpened proximal tip, wherein at least two apertures are provided in the proximal tip for attaching the suture thereto, one of said at least two apertures disposed within 5 mm of the sharpened proximal tip for attaching one end of the suture thereto; wherein the suture is disposed within the apertures with each end of the suture having an approximately equal length.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for suturing a tissue puncture site, said method comprising: providing a suture device having an elongate shaft, an inverted needle at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and a length of suture removably attached to the needle near a sharpened proximal tip on the needle; inserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site while the needle is recessed within the elongate shaft; moving the needle laterally outward from the recessed position to an exposed position; positioning the sharpened tip at a first target site on one side of the puncture site; locking the needle in the exposed position; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing a first end of the suture therefrom; reinserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site and positioning the sharpened tip at a second target site on another side of the puncture site; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing a second end of the suture therefrom; and securing the first and second suture ends to close the puncture site.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for suturing a tissue puncture site, said method comprising: providing a suture device having an elongate shaft, an inverted needle at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and a length of suture removably attached to the needle near a sharpened proximal tip on the needle; inserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site while the needle is recessed within the elongate shaft; moving the needle laterally outward from the recessed position to an exposed position; positioning the sharpened tip at a first target site on one side of the puncture site; locking the needle in the exposed position; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing a first end of the suture therefrom; reinserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site and positioning the sharpened tip at a second target site on another side of the puncture site; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing a second end of the suture therefrom; and securing the first and second suture ends to close the puncture site.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising reinserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site after the second end of the suture has been removed from the needle, moving the needle laterally inward to the recessed position, and withdrawing the distal end of the device outward through the puncture site.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15, wherein a rod connected to the needle by an arm is rotated to retract or deploy the needle between the recessed and exposed positions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising unlocking the needle before retracting the needle from the exposed position to the recessed position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the puncture site is a percutaneous puncture site and the needle is drawn outward through the fascia layer and subcutaneous layer into the puncture site.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the suture ends are secured within the puncture site beneath the skin.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising visualizing the needle when deploying the needle from the recessed position to the exposed position, and when positioning the sharpened tip at the second target site.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the suture device is disposed in a trocar and the tissue puncture site is in an internal body structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising inserting the device through a cannula to insert the distal end of the device through the puncture site.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising pulling equal lengths of the suture through the needle to secure the suture against the needle before inserting the device through the puncture site.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for suturing a tissue puncture site, said method comprising: providing a suture device having an elongate shaft, an inverted needle at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and first and second ends of a length of suture removably attached to the needle near a sharpened proximal tip on the needle; inserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site while the needle is recessed within the elongate shaft; moving the needle laterally outward from the recessed position to an exposed position; positioning the sharpened tip at a first target site on one side of the puncture site; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing the first end of the suture therefrom; reinserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site and positioning the sharpened tip at a second target site on another side of the puncture site; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing the second end of the suture therefrom; securing the first and second ends of the suture with a clamp after removing the ends from the needle; and securing the first and second suture ends to close the puncture site.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for suturing a tissue puncture site, said method comprising: providing a suture device having an elongate shaft, an inverted needle at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and first and second ends of a length of suture removably attached to the needle near a sharpened proximal tip on the needle; inserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site while the needle is recessed within the elongate shaft; moving the needle laterally outward from the recessed position to an exposed position; positioning the sharpened tip at a first target site on one side of the puncture site; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing the first end of the suture therefrom; reinserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site and positioning the sharpened tip at a second target site on another side of the puncture site; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing the second end of the suture therefrom; securing the first and second ends of the suture with a clamp after removing the ends from the needle; and securing the first and second suture ends to close the puncture site.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for suturing a tissue puncture site, said method comprising: providing a suture device having an elongate shaft, an inverted needle at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and a length of suture removably attached to the needle near a sharpened proximal tip on the needle, wherein the length of suture is removably attached to the needle by placing the suture through a pair of apertures in the needle so that both ends of the suture exit the apertures at a common side of the needle; inserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site while the needle is recessed within the elongate shaft; moving the needle laterally outward from the recessed position to an exposed position; positioning the sharpened tip at a first target site on one side of the puncture site; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing a first end of the suture therefrom; reinserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site and positioning the sharpened tip at a second target site on another side of the puncture site; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing a second end of the suture therefrom; and securing the first and second suture ends to close the puncture site.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for suturing a tissue puncture site, said method comprising: providing a suture device having an elongate shaft, an inverted needle at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and a length of suture removably attached to the needle near a sharpened proximal tip on the needle, wherein the length of suture is removably attached to the needle by placing the suture through a pair of apertures in the needle so that both ends of the suture exit the apertures at a common side of the needle; inserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site while the needle is recessed within the elongate shaft; moving the needle laterally outward from the recessed position to an exposed position; positioning the sharpened tip at a first target site on one side of the puncture site; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing a first end of the suture therefrom; reinserting the distal end of the device through the puncture site and positioning the sharpened tip at a second target site on another side of the puncture site; drawing the needle outward through the tissue and removing a second end of the suture therefrom; and securing the first and second suture ends to close the puncture site.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25, wherein the first and second ends of the suture are removed from the needle at the common side.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-26 | 2000-11-25 | 2001-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-11-25 | 2005-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-26 | 2008-11-25 | 2009-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |