Placing sutures

[0001] The invention relates to devices and methods for placing sutures.

[0002] Suturing of body tissue is a time consuming aspect of many surgical procedures. For many surgical procedures, it is necessary to make a large opening in the human body to expose the area that requires surgical repair. There are instruments available that allow for viewing of certain areas of the human body through a small puncture wound without exposing the entire body cavity. These instruments, called endoscopes, can be used in conjunction with specialized surgical instruments to detect, diagnose, and repair areas of the body that previously required open surgery to access.

[0003] Some surgical instruments used in endoscopic procedures are limited by the manner in which they access the areas of the human body in need of repair. In particular, the instruments may not be able to access tissue or organs located deep within the body or that are in some way obstructed. Also, many of the instruments are limited by the way they grasp tissue, apply a suture, or recapture the needle and suture. Furthermore, many of the instruments are complicated and expensive to use due to the numerous parts and/or subassemblies required to make them function properly. Suturing remains a delicate and time-consuming aspect of most surgeries, including those performed endoscopically.

[0004] Many medical procedures require that multiple sutures be placed within a patient. Typical suturing instruments enable a surgeon to place only one suture at a time. With such suturing instruments, the surgeon is required to remove the instrument from a surgical site and reload the instrument between placing each suture. Further, the surgeon may be required to use forceps or other instruments to help place the suture. In some instances, the forceps or other instruments may require an additional incision to access the surgical site.

[0005] The invention generally relates to a suturing instrument that can house multiple needle and suture assemblies. The suturing instrument allows a surgeon to place multiple sutures without having to reload the instrument after each suture is placed, which is more efficient and less invasive than a procedure where the surgeon has to remove the instrument from the surgical site to reload. This is particularly helpful when the surgical site is located deep within a body and not easily repeatably accessible.

[0006] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a suturing instrument including an elongate body member, a first needle, a second needle, and a needle deployment mechanism. The elongate body member includes a distal portion that defines an opening. The first needle and the second needle are disposed within the opening. The needle deployment mechanism is at least partially disposed within the elongate body member and is connectable sequentially to the first needle and the second needle. The needle deployment mechanism moves the first needle and then the second needle out of the opening.

[0007] In various embodiments, the distal portion may further define a tunnel in communication with the opening. The tunnel may be disposed adjacent the opening, and the second needle and/or additional needles may be disposed within the tunnel. The suturing instrument may also include a needle catch disposed on the distal portion of the elongate body member. The needle catch is configured to receive the first needle and the second needle. The suturing instrument may also include a third needle disposed within the opening and connectable to the needle deployment mechanism. In one embodiment, the needle deployment mechanism includes a needle carrier and an actuator coupled to the needle carrier. The needle carrier may be disposed at least partially within the opening and the actuator may be disposed in a proximal portion of the elongate body member. The needle carrier may include a distal portion that defines a lumen for receiving at least one of the first needle and the second needle. The distal portion of the needle carrier may further define a slot in communication with the lumen for loading a suture.

[0008] In other embodiments, the second needle transitions from the opening to the lumen after the first needle is deployed from the elongate body member. The first needle and second needle may each include a distal portion and a suture attached thereto. The opening may include a bottom surface defining a slot for loading a suture. In additional embodiments, the elongate body member includes one or more bends. The suturing instrument can be adapted to access remote organs or tissue within a body. The distal portion of the elongate body member may be rotatable relative to a remainder of the elongate body member. Further, the suturing instrument may include a handle disposed opposite the distal portion of the elongate body member. The handle can at least partially house the needle deployment mechanism. The suturing instrument can be used, for example, to access areas within the patient's body to ligate, fixate, or approximate tissue.

[0009] These and other objects, along with advantages and features of the present invention herein disclosed, will become apparent through reference to the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in various combinations and permutations.

[0020] FIG. 1A depicts a suturing instrument 100 including a handle 102, an elongate body member 104, and a needle deployment mechanism 110. The suturing instrument 100 also includes a distal portion 106 and a proximal portion 108. The elongate body member 104 is mechanically coupled to the handle 102 at the proximal portion 108 and the suturing components are ate least partially disposed within the distal portion 106 of the suturing instrument 100.

[0021] The handle 102 could take a variety of forms, for example, the handle 102 could be one of the types used with Boston Scientific Corporation suturing systems, in particular the Capio® Push & Catch suturing system. Generally, the needle deployment mechanism 110 extends longitudinally through the elongate body member 104 to the distal portion 106 of the suturing instrument 100, where the needle deployment mechanism 110 is coupled to a needle 128 (FIG. 3A). The needle deployment mechanism 110 moves the needle 128 between a retracted position and a deployed position. The needle deployment mechanism 110 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 1B and 1C.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1B, the proximal portion 108 of the suturing instrument 100 includes the handle 102, the elongate body member 104, a suture clip 144, and the needle deployment mechanism 110. The suture clip 144 may be coupled to the handle 102 or the elongate body member 104 and is used to hold an end of one or more sutures prior to placement in a patient. The needle deployment mechanism 110 includes an actuator 112 (button 117, shaft 116), a bearing 118, a button end 119, and a hole 121. The bearing 118 rides along a cylindrical surface 105 that is formed by the inside diameter of the elongate body member 104. A wireform 103 is inserted into the hole 121, coupling it to the actuator button 117. A spring 115 encircles the wireform 103, abuts the button end 119, and is compressed between the button end 119 and a spring washer 113. The spring washer 113 is seated upon a center tube 107. The center tube 107 is housed by the cylindrical surface 105 and is constrained in the distal portion 106. A pusher wire 111 is attached to the wireform 103 by means of a weld, a coupling, adhesive or other means, and is slidably disposed within a guidance sleeve 109, the sleeve 109 being disposed within a cylindrical surface 123 formed by the inside diameter of the center tube 107. In one embodiment, the pusher wire 111 is constructed of nitinol, so chosen for its combination of properties that allow for bendability and high column strength when constrained. Nitinol is a nickel-titanium alloy.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1C, the distal portion 106 of the suturing instrument 100 of FIG. 1A includes the elongate body member 104, the needle deployment mechanism 110, an articulation mechanism 114, a curved portion 126, and a needle catch 122. Referring again to the needle deployment mechanism 110, the pusher wire 111 is attached by welding or other means to a coupling 150, which is slidably disposed within a track 152. The coupling 150 is attached to a carrier wire 154, which by virtue of its attachment to the coupling 150 is also slidably disposed within the track 152. The carrier wire 154 is mechanically coupled to an extendable needle carrier 124 by means of a weld, a coupling, adhesives, or other means. The coupling 150 abuts a backstop washer 156 that is slidably disposed about the pusher wire 111 and is contained within a pocket 160 that includes a back wall 162, against which the backstop washer 156 rests. The track 152 terminates distally in a pocket 164 that includes a wall 166. A downstop washer 158 is slidably disposed about the carrier wire 154 and constrained within the pocket 164.

[0024] In some embodiments, the suturing instrument 100 may include the articulation mechanism 114. The articulation mechanism 114 is disposed in the elongate body member 104 proximate the distal portion 106 (FIG. 1C). The articulation mechanism 114 facilitates the rotation (in the directions indicated by arrow 182) and positioning of the distal end 106 of the suturing instrument 100. In addition, the elongate body 104 can be substantially linear or may include one or more bends. The articulation mechanism 114 and/or bend(s) can facilitate access to deep and/or difficult to reach areas within the patient.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the curved portion 126 defines a channel 178, an opening (or needle exit port 120) including a tunnel or (needle compartment 140), a needle input/output slot 142, and a suture slot 146. The curved portion 126 also defines an opening 176 for receiving tissue (FIG. 1C). The curved portion 126 also includes a knot pusher 184. The needle carrier 124 is disposed within the channel 178 in the curved portion 126. A distal portion 180 of the needle carrier 124 defines a lumen 138 for holding aneedle 128a, 128b, or 128c (generally needle 128).

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3A, in one embodiment, the needle 128 includes a tip 130 and a shaft 134 coupled to the tip 130, thereby forming a shoulder 132. The shaft 134 is coupled to a suture 136a, 136b, 136c (generally suture 136). The needle 128 is inserted into the lumen 138 and held by a slight friction fit. The suture 136 extends out of a needle carrier suture slot 148 and the suture slot 146. Needles 128b and 128c are stored in the needle compartment 140 prior to being deployed.

[0027] Referring again to FIGS. 1B, 1C, 2A, and 2B, in operation, a user (such as a physician or other medical personnel) actuates the needle deployment mechanism 110 by pushing on the button 117, which via the attachment to the wireform 103 which is attached to the pusher wire 111, moves the coupling 150 along the track 152 concomitantly moving the carrier wire 154, which slidably moves the needle carrier 124 through the needle exit port 120. The user continues to push the button 117 until the needle 128 enters the needle catch 122. The needle catch 122, as shown in FIG. 3B, includes openings 170 defined by successive ribs 172. The needle catch 122 receives the needle 128 (coupled to the suture 136) through opening 170, the ribs 172 deflect slightly to allow the needle 128 to pass through. After the formed shoulder 132 has passed the ribs 172, the ribs 172 spring back to their original position defining the openings 170, and the needle 128 remains captured in the needle catch 122. The user releases the button 117 and the spring 115 urges the button 117 proximally, moving the pusher wire 111, the coupling 150, the carrier wire 154, and the needle carrier 124 proximally along with the button 117 to the retracted position. As the needle carrier 124 moves back to the retracted position, the needle 128 slides out of the lumen 138. The openings 170 are chosen to be smaller in dimension than the formed shoulder 132. This causes the needle catch 122 to retain the needle 128 because the flat rear surface of the shoulder 132 prevents the needle 128 from passing back through the opening 170. When it is necessary to remove the needle 128 from the needle catch 122, the needle 128 may be moved toward an enlarged portion 174 of opening 172. The enlarged portion 174 is sized to allow the formed shoulder 132 to pass through without resistance. The needle catch 122 is preferably constructed of thin stainless steel of high temper, such as ANSI 301 full hard. The needle catch 122 may be fabricated by means of stamping, laser machining, or chemical etching.

[0028] The suturing instrument's component materials should be biocompatible. For example, the handle 102, the elongate body member 104, and portions of the needle deployment mechanism 110 may be fabricated from extruded, molded, or machined plastic material(s), such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, or glass-filled polycarbonate. Other components, for example the needle 128, may be made of stainless steel. Other suitable materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The material(s) used to form the suture should be biocompatible. The surgeon will select the length, diameter, and characteristics of the suture to suit a particular application. Additionally, the mechanical components and operation are similar in nature to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,364,408 and 6,048,351, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2A–2B and 4A–4E, the present invention enables a user to place multiple sutures 136 in a patient without removing the suturing instrument 100 from the patient. The user loads the suture 136c through the first suture slot 146a until the suture 136c emerges from the second suture slot 146b. The user then inserts the needle 128c through the needle input/output slot 142 into the needle compartment 140. The user repeats this process for additional sutures 136 and needles 128. The user can repeat this process for loading the first suture 136a and the first needle 128a, or the user can insert the first needle 128a directly into the needle carrier 124. In either case, the sutures 136a, 136b, 136c extend out of the second suture slot 146b. If the needle 128a is loaded into the needle compartment 140, the user pulls on the first suture 136a (held by the suture clip 144) to cause the first needle 128a to slide down an inclined needle shelf 204 and out of the needle compartment 140 through the needle output slot 142 into the lumen 138 of the needle carrier 124. The suture 136a extends out of the needle suture slot 148 and the second suture slot 146b.

[0030] In another embodiment, the suture 136a could be pulled by attaching the suture 136a to a spool mounted on the elongate body member 104 and winding the spool. In still other embodiments, the suture 136a could be pulled by other mechanical means known in the art, such as by a lever, for example. After the needles 128a, 128b, 128c and sutures 136a, 136b, 136c are loaded into the suturing instrument 100, portions of the sutures 136a, 136b, 136c extending out the suture slot 146b are held by the suture clip 144 (FIG. 1B). The needle carrier 124, which is part of the needle deployment mechanism 110, is sequentially connectable to the needles 128 stored in the needle compartment 140. This means that each needle 128 stored in the needle compartment 140 is connected to, and then deployed by, the needle carrier 124 one at a time in the order the needles 128 are dispensed from the needle compartment 140.

[0031] The user then inserts the elongate body member 104 into a patient and orients the elongate body member 104 so that the needle exit port 120 is proximate to or in contact with the tissue 206 to be sutured. The user then pushes the button 117 (FIG. 1B), as described above. Pushing the button 117 causes the needle carrier 124 (holding the first needle 128a) to extend out of the needle exit port 120 and push the needle 128a through the tissue 206. As the first needle 128a is pushed through the tissue 206, the first needle 128a pulls the first suture 136a through the tissue 206. As the user continues to push the button 117, the needle carrier 124 continues to advance out of the needle exit port 120 and directs the first needle 128a and the first suture 136a toward the needle catch 122. The user continues to push the button 117 until the first needle 128a contacts and becomes captured by the needle catch 122 (FIG. 4B). The user then retracts the needle carrier 124 by releasing the button 117, as previously described.

[0032] After the user retracts the needle carrier 124, the first needle 128a and the first suture 136a are left captured within the needle catch 122, with the first suture 136a extending through the tissue 206 (FIG. 4C). When the needle carrier 124 returns to a fully retracted position, the user pulls on the second suture 136b to cause the second needle 128b to slide down the inclined needle shelf 204 and out of the needle compartment 140 through the needle input/output slot 142 and into the lumen 138 of the needle carrier 124. The second suture 136b extends out of the needle carrier suture slot 148 and the second suture slot 146b. The user then advances the needle carrier 124 as described above until the second needle 128b is captured by the needle catch 122 (FIG. 4D). The user then retracts the needle carrier 124 as described above leaving the second needle 128b and the second suture 136b captured by the needle catch 122 (FIG. 4E). This procedure can be repeated for the third needle 128c, or for as many needles as may be stored in the needle compartment 140.

[0033] After one or more sutures 136 have been placed, the user withdraws the suturing instrument 100 from the patient. The user detaches the suture(s) 136 from the needle(s) 128 and ties a knot or knots into the suture(s) 136. The user can then use the knot pusher 184 to push the knot(s) into the patient as the knot(s) is tightened.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 5A–F, in an alternative embodiment, the distal portion 106 of the suturing instrument 100 includes a curved portion 200. The curved portion 200 defines a needle compartment 188, a needle output slot 190, a needle loading slot 192, a first suture slot 196 (FIG. 5B), and a second suture slot 198. In this embodiment, a needle 128a is inserted into the needle carrier 124 with a suture 136a extending through the needle carrier suture slot 148, the first suture slot 196 and the second suture slot 198. An additional needle 128b is inserted into the needle compartment 188 through the needle loading slot 192 with a suture 136b—extending through the first suture slot 196 and the second suture slot 198 (FIG. 5B).

[0035] In operation, this alternative embodiment functions largely the same way as the embodiment previously described. The user advances the needle carrier 124 by pressing the button 117 (FIG. 1A) until the first needle 128a along with the first suture 136a is driven through the tissue and captured by the needle catch 122 (FIG. 5D). After the needle 128a and the suture 136a are captured in the needle catch 122, the needle carrier 124 is retracted so that the second needle 128b can be loaded into the needle carrier 124 (FIG. 5E). When the needle carrier 124 is fully retracted, the user pulls the second suture 136b causing the second needle 128b to slide into the needle carrier 124 from the needle compartment 188 through the needle loading slot 190. The user again advances the needle carrier 124 out of the needle exit port 120, through the tissue, and into the needle catch 122 (FIG. 5F). The user then retracts the needle carrier 124 leaving the needle 128b and coupled suture 136b captured by the needle catch 122. In other embodiments, more needles 128 and sutures 136 can be loaded into the needle compartment 188.

[0036] Other embodiments incorporating the concepts disclosed herein may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative and not restrictive.