US5860992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic suturing devices and methods
Assignee: Heartport Inc
•
Filing: 1996-01-31
•
Granted: 1999-01-19
•
Expires: 2016-01-31
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides devices and methods for suture placement while performing less invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides for the placement of sutures within the heart or a great vessel that is accessed from outside the closed chest. According to one exemplary method, the patient's heart valve is accessed through an intercostal port in the patient's chest. At least one needle having a suture is then directed into the annulus while visualizing through the port placement of the needle into the annulus. The needle is then passed through the annulus.
Inventors
- 👤 Sean Christopher Daniel
- 👤 Brian S. Donlon
- 👤 Michi E. Garrison
- 👤 Hanson S. Gifford, III
- 👤 Daniel C. Rosenman
- 👤 William S. Peters
- 👤 II Robert L. Lathrop
- 👤 George Crothall
- 👤 James B. Mullin
- 👤 Gerald R. Anderson
- 👤 Wiley A. Kittrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0491; A61B17/0469; A61B17/06; A61B17/062; A61B17/0625; A61B2017/047; A61B2017/0472; A61B17/06066; A61B2017/061; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A suturing device, comprising: an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a needle carriage movably attached to the distal end of the shaft, the needle carriage having a removable portion, a non-removable portion, and a coupling mechanism for releasably connecting the removable portion of the needle carriage to the non-removable portion; at least one needle removably secured to the removable portion of needle carriage; and means for driving the needle carriage so as to move the needle relative to the shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A suturing device, comprising: an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a needle carriage movably attached to the distal end of the shaft, the needle carriage having a removable portion, a non-removable portion, and a coupling mechanism for releasably connecting the removable portion of the needle carriage to the non-removable portion; at least one needle removably secured to the removable portion of needle carriage; and means for driving the needle carriage so as to move the needle relative to the shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The suturing device as in claim 1, wherein the needle carriage is pivotally connected to the shaft so that the needle may be rotated within a plane at an angle of 0°±45° relative to the axis of the shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The suturing device as in claim 1, wherein the carriage is attached so as to pivot through an angle of at least about 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The suturing device as in claim 1, further comprising a rod slidably coupled to the shaft and connected to the carriage to pivot the carriage relative to the shaft by the sliding motion of the rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The suturing device as in claim 1, further comprising an actuator at the proximal end of the shaft and a linkage coupled between the actuator and the driving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The suturing device as in claim 4, wherein the actuator further comprises a means for locking the actuator in a position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suturing device as in claim 6, wherein the locking means locks automatically when the needle has been driven through said arc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The suturing device as in claim 1, wherein the shaft has a length of at least 20 cm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The suturing device as in claim 1, wherein the shaft, needle carriage, needle, and means for driving the needle carriage are configured to pass through a tubular space of at most about 30 mm in diameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The suturing device as in claim 1, wherein the needle is curved.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The suturing device as in claim 10, wherein the needle has a center of curvature, and the carriage is pivotable about a pivot point, the needle being secured to the carriage such that the center of curvature is disposed at the pivot point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The suturing device as in claim 1, wherein the carriage further comprises a releasing mechanism for releasing the removable portion from the non-removable portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suturing device as in claim 12, wherein the releasing mechanism comprises a snap fitting on the removable portion of the carriage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The suturing device as in claim 1, wherein the carriage is constructed of a plastic that is disposable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The suturing device of claim 1, wherein the needle carriage includes a slot sized to slidably receive a proximal end of the needle until the proximal end of the needle, and means for securing the needle in the 'slot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The suturing device of claim 15, wherein the slot is sized to fictionally engage the needle, whereby the needle may be withdrawn from the slot by pulling the needle to overcome the friction within the slot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The suturing device as in claim 16, wherein a sharpened distal tip of the needle remains outside the carriage when the needle is disposed in the slot.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The suturing device as in claim 15, wherein the needle has a length and at least about one-half of the length remains outside the carriage when the needle is disposed in the slot.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for placing a suture in the annulus of a heart valve by accessing the valve through a port in a patient's chest, the method comprising: positioning a needle attached to a suture in the patient's heart, the needle being carried by a needle holder removably attached to an elongated shaft extending through the port; directing the needle into the annulus while visualizing through the port placement of the needle into the annulus; passing the needle through the annulus by manipulating an actuator at a proximal end of the shaft from outside the patient's chest; and removing the needle holder from the shaft.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for placing a suture in the annulus of a heart valve by accessing the valve through a port in a patient's chest, the method comprising: positioning a needle attached to a suture in the patient's heart, the needle being carried by a needle holder removably attached to an elongated shaft extending through the port; directing the needle into the annulus while visualizing through the port placement of the needle into the annulus; passing the needle through the annulus by manipulating an actuator at a proximal end of the shaft from outside the patient's chest; and removing the needle holder from the shaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as in claim 19, further comprising the step of attaching a different needle holder to the shaft after the step of removing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as in claim 19, wherein the needle has a radius of curvature and the step of passing the needle through the annulus comprises passing the needle along an arc having a radius substantially conforming to the radius of curvature of the needle.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for placing a suture in tissue adjacent an opening in a body structure, the method comprising: providing at least one needle having a sharpened tip and a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, the needle being attached to a suture and coupled to a distal end of an elongated shaft; directing the sharpened tip of the needle into the tissue adjacent the opening in the body structure; passing the needle through the tissue by manipulating an actuator located at a proximal end of the shaft; threading the suture through the passage in the needle after the needle has been passed through the tissue; and applying a vacuum to the passage in the needle to assist in threading the suture through the passage.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for placing a suture in tissue adjacent an opening in a body structure, the method comprising: providing at least one needle having a sharpened tip and a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, the needle being attached to a suture and coupled to a distal end of an elongated shaft; directing the sharpened tip of the needle into the tissue adjacent the opening in the body structure; passing the needle through the tissue by manipulating an actuator located at a proximal end of the shaft; threading the suture through the passage in the needle after the needle has been passed through the tissue; and applying a vacuum to the passage in the needle to assist in threading the suture through the passage.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as in claim 22, wherein the needle has a radius of curvature and the step of passing the needle through the tissue is carried out by moving the needle along an arc having a radius substantially conforming to the radius of curvature of the needle.
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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) | 2002-01-18 | 2002-07-20 | 2003-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-18 | 2006-07-20 | 2007-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-18 | 2010-07-20 | 2011-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |