Device for closing an opening in tissue and method of closing a tissue opening using the device

Claim 3

The device according to claim 1 wherein the first and second passageways do not intersect each other.

Claim 4

The device according to claim 1 wherein there is a third opening through the body defining a third passageway through which a tying instrument can be directed from externally of the tissue through the body and into the cavity bounded by the tissue.

Claim 5

The device according to claim 3 wherein the first, second, and third passageways do not intersect each other.

Claim 6

The device according to claim 4 wherein the third passageway has a central axis, the second and third passageways are substantially straight, and the central axes of the second and third passageways are non-parallel to each other.

Claim 7

In combination a) a device for facilitating the performance of a medical procedure in a cavity bounded by a tissue, said device comprising: a body having a first opening therethrough to define a first passageway for a medical instrument to be directed from externally of the cavity through an opening in the tissue to the cavity and an exposed surface that can be placed against the tissue around the opening therethrough with the device in an operative state relative to the tissue, there being a second opening through the body to define a second passageway through which a tying instrument can be directed from externally of the tissue through the body and into the cavity bounded by the tissue; and b) a sleeve which is extended into the first opening in the body.

Claim 8

In combination a) a device for facilitating the performance of a medical procedure in a cavity bounded by a tissue, said device comprising: a body having a first opening therethrough to define a first passageway for a medical instrument to be directed from externally of the cavity through an opening in the tissue to the cavity and an exposed surface that can be placed against the tissue around the opening therethrough with the device in an operative state relative to the tissue, there being a second opening through the body to define a second passageway through which a tying instrument can be directed from externally of the tissue through the body and into the cavity bounded by the tissue; and b) a sleeve which is extended into the first opening in the body.

Claim 9

In combination: a) a device for facilitating the performance of a medical procedure in a cavity bounded by a tissue, said device comprising: a body having a first opening therethrough to define a first passageway for a medical instrument to be directed from externally of the cavity through an opening in the tissue to the cavity and an exposed surface that can be placed against the tissue around the opening therethrough with the device in an operative state relative to the tissue, there being a second opening through the body to define a second passageway through which a tying instrument can be directed from externally of the tissue through the body and into the cavity bounded by the tissue; and b) a sleeve having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the sleeve residing externally of the tissue and the outlet end of the sleeve residing within the cavity bounded by the tissue with the sleeve and body in a relative operative position and the device in the operative state.

Claim 10

In combination: a) a device for facilitating the performance of a medical procedure in a cavity bounded by a tissue, said device comprising: a body having a first opening therethrough to define a first passageway for a medical instrument to be directed from externally of the cavity through an opening in the tissue to the cavity and an exposed surface that can be placed against the tissue around the opening therethrough with the device in an operative state relative to the tissue, there being a second opening through the body to define a second passageway through which a tying instrument can be directed from externally of the tissue through the body and into the cavity bounded by the tissue; and b) a sleeve having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the sleeve residing externally of the tissue and the outlet end of the sleeve residing within the cavity bounded by the tissue with the sleeve and body in a relative operative position and the device in the operative state.

Claim 11

In combination: a) a tissue bounding a cavity and having an opening therethrough in communication with the cavity; b) a device for facilitating the performance of a medical procedure in the cavity, said device comprising: a body having a first opening therethrough to define a first passageway for a medical instrument to be directed from externally of the cavity through the opening in the tissue to the cavity and an exposed surface that can be placed against the tissue around the opening therethrough with the device in an operative state relative to the tissue, there being a second opening through the body to define a second passageway through which a tying instrument can be directed from externally of the tissue through the body and into the cavity bounded by the tissue, wherein the external surface of the body is sealingly placed against the tissue around the tissue opening so that the first passageway is aligned with the tissue opening; and c) a medical instrument extending from externally of the tissue through one of the first and second passageways into the cavity.

Claim 12

In combination: a) a tissue bounding a cavity and having an opening therethrough in communication with the cavity; b) a device for facilitating the performance of a medical procedure in the cavity, said device comprising: a body having a first opening therethrough to define a first passageway for a medical instrument to be directed from externally of the cavity through the opening in the tissue to the cavity and an exposed surface that can be placed against the tissue around the opening therethrough with the device in an operative state relative to the tissue, there being a second opening through the body to define a second passageway through which a tying instrument can be directed from externally of the tissue through the body and into the cavity bounded by the tissue, wherein the external surface of the body is sealingly placed against the tissue around the tissue opening so that the first passageway is aligned with the tissue opening; and c) a medical instrument extending from externally of the tissue through one of the first and second passageways into the cavity.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 8 wherein the medical instrument extends through the first passageway and the tissue opening into the cavity.

Claim 14

The combination according to claim 9 in combination with a sleeve that extends into the first passageway and the medical instrument extends through the sleeve.

Claim 15

The combination according to claim 9 in combination with a second instrument having a thread holding portion, said second instrument extending through the second passageway from externally of the tissue so that the thread holding portion of the second instrument resides within the cavity.

Claim 16

The combination according to claim 11 in combination with a suturing thread residing at least partially in the cavity with the thread holding portion of the second instrument holding a part of the suturing thread that is in the cavity.

Claim 21

The method of closing an opening through a tissue according to claim 14 including the step drawing a second part of the first thread from the cavity through the body of the sealing element and the tissue to externally of the tissue and tying the first and second thread parts together to at least partially close the opening in the tissue.

Claim 22

The method of closing an opening through a tissue according to claim 14 including the steps of directing a second thread into the cavity, drawing a first part of the second thread from the cavity through the tissue to externally of the cavity, and tying the first parts of the first and second threads together to at least partially close the opening in the tissue.

Claim 23

The method of closing an opening through a tissue according to claim 14 including the steps of providing a medical instrument and directing the medical instrument through a first passageway through the body of the sealing element and the step of drawing a first part of the first thread from the cavity comprises the step of drawing a first part of the first thread through the body of the sealing element through a second passageway in the body of the sealing element that is independent from the first passageway.

Claim 24

The method of closing an opening through a tissue according to claim 14 including the step of providing a sleeve that extends into the body of the sealing element to allow a medical instrument to be directed through the sleeve and body of the sealing element into the cavity and the step of drawing a first part of the first thread through the body of the sealing element comprises the step of drawing a first part of the first thread through the body of the sealing element without drawing the first thread through the sleeve.

Claim 25

The method of closing an opening through a tissue according to claim 14 wherein the step of drawing a first part of the first thread through the body of the sealing element comprises the steps of providing an instrument with a thread engaging portion, engaging the thread engaging portion of the instrument with the first part of the first thread in the cavity and using the instrument to draw the first part of the first thread through the body of the sealing element.

Claim 26

The method of closing an opening through a tissue according to claim 19 wherein the step of using the instrument to draw the first part of the first thread through the body of the sealing element comprises the step of directing the instrument through the sealing element and withdrawing the instrument from the sealing element while maintaining the sealing element in sealing relationship fully around the instrument.

Claim 29

The device according to claim 21 wherein the first, second, and third passageways each have a diameter and the diameter of at least one of the second and third passageways is substantially less than the diameter of the first passageway.

Claim 30

The device according to claim 22 wherein the diameter of each of the second and third passageways is substantially less than the diameter of the first passageway.