US6663643B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical suturing instrument and method of use
Assignee: DVL Acquisition Sub Inc
•
Filing: 2001-10-19
•
Granted: 2003-12-16
•
Expires: 2021-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A device is disclosed for introducing a flexible elongated element through at least two portions of a subject. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a proximal end and a distal end, and an advancement unit for longitudinally advancing the flexible elongated element toward the distal end of the device such that a proximal end of the elongated element may exit from the distal end of the device with sufficient force to pass through the subject. The device also includes a first curved die at the distal end of the device for imparting a looping configuration to portions of the flexible elongated element exiting the distal end of the device, and a second curved die at the distal end for receiving the looped flexible elongated element as it returns to the distal end of the device. In a further feature of the invention, a cutting mechanism is provided to permit the looped flexible elongated element to be separated from the remainder of the flexible elongated element. And in a further feature of the invention, the cutting mechanism is adapted to deform both of the leading end and the trailing end of the looped flexible elongated element so that both ends are forced distally, toward the subject being sutured.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederic P. Field
- 👤 Douglas A. Fogg
- 👤 Gregory E. Sancoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/08; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0483; A61B17/064; A61B17/0644; A61B17/068; A61B17/0682; A61B17/0467; A61B17/0491; A61B17/12; A61B17/12009; A61B17/12013; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61B2017/00004; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00778; A61B2017/00783; A61B17/06; A61B17/06166; A61B2017/06171; A61B2017/0646; A61B2017/0649; A61F2/0063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A suturing instrument for joining a first portion of material to a second portion of material, said suturing instrument comprising: a handle; an end effector mounted on said handle and defining therein: a first channel for supporting suture wire, said first channel being curved to impart a looping configuration to portions of the suture wire passed therethrough; a second channel adapted to receive the looped suture wire emerged from said first channel; and a passageway for supporting a cutting bar, said passageway intersecting said first channel so as to create a first island between said first channel and said passageway, and said passageway intersecting said second channel so as to create a second island between said second channel and said passageway; a wire advancing actuator mounted on said handle for moving the suture wire through said first channel, through the material first and second portions and back into said second channel; a cutting bar movably disposed in said passageway for selectively engaging the suture wire, said cutting bar being adapted to (1) cut the looped suture wire from the remaining portions of the suture wire; (2) bend the trailing end and the leading end of the looped suture wire around said first island and said second island; and (3) lift the looped suture wire over said first island and said second island; and a cutting bar actuator mounted on said handle for moving the cutting bar into engagement with the suture wire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A suturing instrument for joining a first portion of material to a second portion of material, said suturing instrument comprising: a handle; an end effector mounted on said handle and defining therein: a first channel for supporting suture wire, said first channel being curved to impart a looping configuration to portions of the suture wire passed therethrough; a second channel adapted to receive the looped suture wire emerged from said first channel; and a passageway for supporting a cutting bar, said passageway intersecting said first channel so as to create a first island between said first channel and said passageway, and said passageway intersecting said second channel so as to create a second island between said second channel and said passageway; a wire advancing actuator mounted on said handle for moving the suture wire through said first channel, through the material first and second portions and back into said second channel; a cutting bar movably disposed in said passageway for selectively engaging the suture wire, said cutting bar being adapted to (1) cut the looped suture wire from the remaining portions of the suture wire; (2) bend the trailing end and the leading end of the looped suture wire around said first island and said second island; and (3) lift the looped suture wire over said first island and said second island; and a cutting bar actuator mounted on said handle for moving the cutting bar into engagement with the suture wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said cutting bar is further adapted to push the looped suture wire past said first island and said second island after the looped suture wire has been lifted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said second channel includes a curved surface for guiding the looped suture wire emerged from said first channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said end effector is provided with a recessed cutout therein such that pressing said end effector against a pliable portion of material causes the bulging portion of material into the recessed cutout, to permit deep penetration of the suture wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said end effector includes at least one projection extending out of said end effector for engaging the portion of material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 5 wherein said end effector includes two projections extending out of said end effector for engaging the portion of material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 6 wherein one of said projections is longer than the other of said projections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said cutting bar comprises (1) a cutting face for cutting the looped suture wire from the remaining portions of the suture wire; (2) a relief face for bending the trailing end and the leading end of the looped suture wire around said first island and said second island; and (3) an ejection ramp face for lifting the looped suture wire over said first island and said second island.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 8 wherein said cutting bar further comprises an ejection push face to push the looped suture wire past said first island and said second island after the looped suture wire has been lifted over said first island and said second island.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said first portion of material comprises tissue and said second portion of material comprises tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said first portion of material comprises a prosthesis and said second portion of material comprises tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 11 wherein said first portion of material comprises surgical mesh and said second portion of material comprises tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said first island and said second island are each separated from said passageway by at least the thickness of the suture wire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said first channel and said second channel are undercut so as to help retain the suture wire in said first channel and said second channel, respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said wire advancing actuator is adapted to advance a predetermined length of suture wire.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said wire advancing actuator and said cutting bar actuator are sequentially activated by a single element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said second channel has a geometry such that the suture wire is maintained in said second channel until after the suture wire has been cut and partially bent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said cutting bar cuts the suture wire so as to form a sharp point.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said end effector is detachable from said handle so as to allow a different end effector to be mounted to said handle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A suturing instrument according to claim 1 further comprising a wire supply cartridge for housing, dispensing and supporting the suture wire being advanced to said first channel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
127 words
A structure for supporting suture wire during driving of the suture wire, said structure comprising: a first tube for closely surrounding and slidably supporting the suture wire; a first pair of diametrically opposed openings formed in said first tube for exposing the suture wire for driving, said first pair of diametrically opposed openings being sized sufficiently small so as to maintain support for the suture wire; a second tube disposed about a portion of said first tube; and a second pair of diametrically opposed openings formed in said second tube, said second pair of diametrically opposed openings being aligned with said first pair of diametrically opposed openings, and said second pair of diametrically opposed openings being sufficiently small so as to maintain support for said first tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
127 words
A structure for supporting suture wire during driving of the suture wire, said structure comprising: a first tube for closely surrounding and slidably supporting the suture wire; a first pair of diametrically opposed openings formed in said first tube for exposing the suture wire for driving, said first pair of diametrically opposed openings being sized sufficiently small so as to maintain support for the suture wire; a second tube disposed about a portion of said first tube; and a second pair of diametrically opposed openings formed in said second tube, said second pair of diametrically opposed openings being aligned with said first pair of diametrically opposed openings, and said second pair of diametrically opposed openings being sufficiently small so as to maintain support for said first tube.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
338 words
A method for joining a first portion of material to a second portion of material, said method comprising: providing a suturing instrument comprising: a handle; an end effector mounted on said handle and defining therein: a first channel for supporting suture wire, said first channel being curved to impart a looping configuration to portions of the suture wire passed therethrough; a second channel adapted to receive the looped suture wire emerged from said first channel; and a passageway for supporting a cutting bar, said passageway intersecting said first channel so as to create a first island between said first channel and said passageway, and said passageway intersecting said second channel so as to create a second island between said second channel and said passageway; a wire advancing actuator mounted on said handle for moving the suture wire through said first channel, through the material first and second portions and back into said second channel; a cutting bar movably disposed in said passageway for selectively engaging the suture wire, said cutting bar being adapted to (1) cut the looped suture wire from the remaining portions of the suture wire; (2) bend the trailing end and the leading end of the looped suture wire around said first island and said second island; and (3) lift the looped suture wire over said first island and said second island; and a cutting bar actuator mounted on said handle for moving the cutting bar into engagement with the suture wire; positioning said end effector against at least one of the portions to be joined; moving the suture wire through said first channel, through the material first and second portions and back into said second channel; and moving the cutting bar in said passageway so as to (1) cut the looped suture wire from the remaining portions of the suture wire; (2) bend the trailing end of the looped suture wire around said first island and said second island; and (3) lift the looped suture wire over said first island and said second island.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
338 words
A method for joining a first portion of material to a second portion of material, said method comprising: providing a suturing instrument comprising: a handle; an end effector mounted on said handle and defining therein: a first channel for supporting suture wire, said first channel being curved to impart a looping configuration to portions of the suture wire passed therethrough; a second channel adapted to receive the looped suture wire emerged from said first channel; and a passageway for supporting a cutting bar, said passageway intersecting said first channel so as to create a first island between said first channel and said passageway, and said passageway intersecting said second channel so as to create a second island between said second channel and said passageway; a wire advancing actuator mounted on said handle for moving the suture wire through said first channel, through the material first and second portions and back into said second channel; a cutting bar movably disposed in said passageway for selectively engaging the suture wire, said cutting bar being adapted to (1) cut the looped suture wire from the remaining portions of the suture wire; (2) bend the trailing end and the leading end of the looped suture wire around said first island and said second island; and (3) lift the looped suture wire over said first island and said second island; and a cutting bar actuator mounted on said handle for moving the cutting bar into engagement with the suture wire; positioning said end effector against at least one of the portions to be joined; moving the suture wire through said first channel, through the material first and second portions and back into said second channel; and moving the cutting bar in said passageway so as to (1) cut the looped suture wire from the remaining portions of the suture wire; (2) bend the trailing end of the looped suture wire around said first island and said second island; and (3) lift the looped suture wire over said first island and said second island.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said cutting bar is further adapted to push the looped suture wire past said first island and said second island after the looped suture has been lifted, and further wherein the step of moving the cutting bar in said passageway includes pushing the looped suture wire past said first island and said second island after the looped suture has been lifted.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said end effector is provided with a recessed cutout therein, and further wherein the step of positioning said end effector against at least one of the portions to be joined causes a bulging portion of material to enter the recessed cutout, to permit deep penetration of the suture wire.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said end effector includes at least one projection extending out of said end effector for engaging the portion of material, and further wherein the step of positioning said end effector against at least one of the portions to be joined includes engaging said at least one of the portions with said at least one projection.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of positioning said end effector against at least one of the portions to be joined includes positioning said end effector at an acute angle to the surface of the portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said first portion of material comprises tissue and said second portion of material comprises tissue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said first portion of material comprises a prosthesis and said second portion of material comprises tissue.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said first portion of material comprises surgical mesh and said second portion of material comprises tissue.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said first island and said second island are each separated from said passageway by at least the thickness of the suture wire, and further wherein the step of moving the cutting bar in said passageway includes bending the trailing end of the looped suture wire around said first island and said second island includes bending the trailing end and the leading end of the looped suture wire between said first island and said second island and said passageway, respectively.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of moving said suture wire includes advancing a predetermined length of suture wire.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said wire advancing actuator and said cutting bar actuator are sequentially activated by a single element.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the suture wire is maintained in said first island and said second island until after the suture wire has been cut and partially bent.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the suture wire is cut so as to form a sharp point.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of providing a suturing instrument comprises selecting a particular end effector from a set of different end effectors and mounting the selected end effector on said handle.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the suture wire is initially contained in a wire supply cartridge for housing, dispensing and supporting the suture wire being advanced to said first channel, and further wherein the step of providing a suturing instrument includes loading the wire supply cartridge into said housing.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for driving wire, said method comprising the steps of: providing a structure for supporting suture wire during driving of the suture wire, said structure comprising: is a first tube for closely surrounding and slidably supporting the suture wire; a first pair of diametrically opposed openings formed in said first tube for exposing the suture wire for driving, said first pair of diametrically opposed openings being sized sufficiently small so as to maintain support for the suture wire; a second tube disposed about a portion of said first tube; and a second pair of diametrically opposed openings formed in said second tube, said second pair of diametrically opposed openings being aligned with said first pair of diametrically opposed openings, and said second pair of diametrically opposed openings being sufficiently small so as to maintain support for said first tube; and engaging the suture wire with a pair of opposing rollers, each of the opposing rollers engaging the suture wire by accessing the suture wire through one of the second pair of diametrically opposed openings and one of the first pair of diametrically opposed openings.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for driving wire, said method comprising the steps of: providing a structure for supporting suture wire during driving of the suture wire, said structure comprising: is a first tube for closely surrounding and slidably supporting the suture wire; a first pair of diametrically opposed openings formed in said first tube for exposing the suture wire for driving, said first pair of diametrically opposed openings being sized sufficiently small so as to maintain support for the suture wire; a second tube disposed about a portion of said first tube; and a second pair of diametrically opposed openings formed in said second tube, said second pair of diametrically opposed openings being aligned with said first pair of diametrically opposed openings, and said second pair of diametrically opposed openings being sufficiently small so as to maintain support for said first tube; and engaging the suture wire with a pair of opposing rollers, each of the opposing rollers engaging the suture wire by accessing the suture wire through one of the second pair of diametrically opposed openings and one of the first pair of diametrically opposed openings.
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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) | 2006-12-15 | 2007-06-16 | 2007-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-15 | 2011-06-16 | 2011-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-15 | 2015-06-16 | 2015-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |