US5665096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Needle driving apparatus and methods of suturing tissue
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-03-07
•
Granted: 1997-09-09
•
Expires: 2015-03-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue includes a hollow needle guide having a distal end, a needle disposed within the needle guide and movable between a retracted position where at least a portion of the needle is disposed within the needle guide and an extended position where the needle is disposed externally of the needle guide, suture material connected with the needle, and a manually articuable needle receiver for guiding a distal end of the needle as a proximal end of the needle is advanced distally through the needle guide and capturing the needle when the proximal end of the needle emerges from the distal end of the needle guide.
Inventors
- 👤 Inbae Yoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0483; A61B17/06; A61B17/062; A61B17/0482; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/047; A61B17/06066; A61B2017/06076; A61B2017/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue comprising a hollow needle guide having a distal end; a needle movably disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends; suture material connected with said needle; and manually articulable needle receiving means coupled with said needle guide for guiding said distal end of said needle as said proximal end of said needle is advanced distally through said needle guide and capturing said needle when said proximal end of said needle emerges from said distal end of said needle guide.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue comprising a hollow needle guide having a distal end; a needle movably disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends; suture material connected with said needle; and manually articulable needle receiving means coupled with said needle guide for guiding said distal end of said needle as said proximal end of said needle is advanced distally through said needle guide and capturing said needle when said proximal end of said needle emerges from said distal end of said needle guide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said needle receiving means includes a forceps having a pair of jaws with concave portions in opposed relation for receiving said needle when said jaws are closed together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said jaws are biased apart and said forceps further includes a tubular member disposed around said jaws and movable between a retracted position allowing said jaws to open and an extended position drawing said jaws together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said jaws include opposed grasping surfaces axially spaced from said concave portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4 and further comprising a handle coupled with said jaws and said tubular member for creating relative movement between said jaws and said tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said needle receiving means includes a rod disposed within a tube and having an eyelet formed at a distal end for receiving said needle when said needle is in said extended position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 6 and further comprising a handle coupled with said rod and said tubular member for creating relative movement between said rod and said tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said needle receiving means includes a tube having a closed distal end with a side opening and a central member disposed within the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8 and further comprising a handle coupled with said tube and said central member for creating relative movement between said tube and said central member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said needle receiving means includes a rod with a hollow cylinder mounted transversely at a distal end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said needle receiving means is manually movable in an axial direction relative to said needle guide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said needle receiving means has a predetermined shape to assume an appropriate position for receiving said needle when moved axially in a distal direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 and further comprising needle driving means disposed proximally of said needle for pushing said needle distally through said needle guide from said retracted position to said extended position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said needle driving means includes a pusher rod configured to fit within said needle guide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said pusher rod is a solid cylinder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said pusher rod is a hollow cylinder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said pusher rod is slotted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein a distal end of said pusher rod is notched.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said pusher rod includes a forceps.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 14 and further comprising an outer member mounting said needle guide at a distal end and an inner member disposed within said outer member and mounting said pusher rod.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein said inner member defines a central lumen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 21 and further comprising a handle coupled with said inner and outer members for creating relative movement between said inner and outer members.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said needle guide is slotted.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distal end of said needle guide includes a notch for holding said suture material.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue comprising a hollow needle guide having a sharp tissue penetrating distal end; a needle disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends, said needle being movable between a retracted position where a distal end of said needle is proximally spaced from said distal end of said needle guide and an extended position where said distal end of said needle protrudes distally from said distal end of said needle guide; and suture material connected with said needle.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue comprising a hollow needle guide having a sharp tissue penetrating distal end; a needle disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends, said needle being movable between a retracted position where a distal end of said needle is proximally spaced from said distal end of said needle guide and an extended position where said distal end of said needle protrudes distally from said distal end of said needle guide; and suture material connected with said needle.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue, comprising; a hollow needle guide having a sharp tissue penetrating distal end; a needle disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends, said needle being movable between a retracted position where a distal end of said needle is proximally spaced from said distal end of said needle guide and an extended position where said distal end of said needle protrudes distally from said distal end of said needle guide; suture material connected with said needle; wherein said needle guide is slotted.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue, comprising; a hollow needle guide having a sharp tissue penetrating distal end; a needle disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends, said needle being movable between a retracted position where a distal end of said needle is proximally spaced from said distal end of said needle guide and an extended position where said distal end of said needle protrudes distally from said distal end of said needle guide; suture material connected with said needle; wherein said needle guide is slotted.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue, comprising: a hollow needle guide having a sharp tissue penetrating distal end; a needle disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends, said needle being movable between a retracted position where a distal end of said needle is proximally spaced from said distal end of said needle guide and an extended position where said distal end of said needle protrudes distally from said distal end of said needle guide; suture material connected with said needle; wherein said distal end of said needle guide is notched to hold said suture material.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue, comprising: a hollow needle guide having a sharp tissue penetrating distal end; a needle disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends, said needle being movable between a retracted position where a distal end of said needle is proximally spaced from said distal end of said needle guide and an extended position where said distal end of said needle protrudes distally from said distal end of said needle guide; suture material connected with said needle; wherein said distal end of said needle guide is notched to hold said suture material.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue, comprising; a hollow needle guide having a sharp tissue penetrating distal end; a needle disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends, said needle being movable between a retracted position where a distal end of said needle is proximally spaced from said distal end of said needle guide and an extended position where said distal end of said needle protrudes distally from said distal end of said needle guide; suture material connected with said needle; and an outer member having proximal and distal ends, wherein said needle guide is mounted on said distal end of said outer member.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue, comprising; a hollow needle guide having a sharp tissue penetrating distal end; a needle disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends, said needle being movable between a retracted position where a distal end of said needle is proximally spaced from said distal end of said needle guide and an extended position where said distal end of said needle protrudes distally from said distal end of said needle guide; suture material connected with said needle; and an outer member having proximal and distal ends, wherein said needle guide is mounted on said distal end of said outer member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 28 and further comprising an inner member telescopically fitted within said outer member and having a pusher rod at a distal end for being advanced through said needle guide.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 29 wherein said inner member defines a central lumen.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 30 and further comprising a handle coupled with said inner and outer members for creating relative movement between said inner and outer members.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue comprising a forceps having opposed jaws defining a hollow needle guide with a distal end; a needle disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends, said needle being movable between a retracted position where said proximal end of said needle is disposed within said needle guide and an extended position where said proximal end of said needle is disposed externally of said needle guide; and suture material connected with said needle.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for suturing anatomical tissue comprising a forceps having opposed jaws defining a hollow needle guide with a distal end; a needle disposed within said needle guide and having proximal and distal ends, said needle being movable between a retracted position where said proximal end of said needle is disposed within said needle guide and an extended position where said proximal end of said needle is disposed externally of said needle guide; and suture material connected with said needle.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 32 wherein said distal end of said hollow needle guide forms a sharp tissue penetrating tip.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue comprising the steps of penetrating through the anatomical tissue with a distal end of a hollow needle guide; and extending a needle carrying suture material from the distal end of the hollow needle guide.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue comprising the steps of penetrating through the anatomical tissue with a distal end of a hollow needle guide; and extending a needle carrying suture material from the distal end of the hollow needle guide.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 34 wherein said extending step includes guiding a distal end of the needle as a proximal end of the needle is advanced distally through the hollow needle guide.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 35 and further comprising the step of capturing the needle when the proximal end of the needle emerges from the distal end of the hollow needle guide.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue comprising the steps of positioning a distal end of a hollow needle guide proximate the anatomical tissue to be sutured; extending a needle carrying suture material from the distal end of the hollow needle guide; penetrating through the anatomical tissue with the needle; guiding a distal end of the needle as a proximal end of the needle is advanced distally through the hollow needle guide; and capturing the needle when the proximal end of the needle emerges from the distal end of the hollow needle guide.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue comprising the steps of positioning a distal end of a hollow needle guide proximate the anatomical tissue to be sutured; extending a needle carrying suture material from the distal end of the hollow needle guide; penetrating through the anatomical tissue with the needle; guiding a distal end of the needle as a proximal end of the needle is advanced distally through the hollow needle guide; and capturing the needle when the proximal end of the needle emerges from the distal end of the hollow needle guide.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue comprising the steps of penetrating partway through the anatomical tissue with a distal end of a hollow needle guide; and extending a needle carrying suture material from the distal end of the hollow needle guide to complete penetration of the anatomical tissue.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue comprising the steps of penetrating partway through the anatomical tissue with a distal end of a hollow needle guide; and extending a needle carrying suture material from the distal end of the hollow needle guide to complete penetration of the anatomical tissue.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 38 wherein said extending step includes guiding a distal end of the needle as a proximal end of the needle is advanced distally through the hollow needle guide.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of suturing anatomical tissue as recited in claim 39 and further comprising the step of capturing the needle when the proximal end of the needle emerges from the distal end of the hollow needle guide.
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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) | 2000-09-08 | 2001-03-10 | 2001-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-08 | 2005-03-10 | 2005-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-08 | 2009-03-10 | 2009-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |