Abstract:
A device for repairing a tear in a portion of tissue comprises a proximal actuator portion, a transfer needle extending distally from the proximal actuator portion and a catch needle extending distally from the proximal actuator portion. A suture needle is disposed in the transfer needle, and is extendable from the transfer needle toward the catch needle and retractable from the catch needle toward the transfer needle. An extendable catch plunger is disposed in the catch needle for capturing suture therein when it is transferred from the transfer needle. A retractable insertion sheath is provided for covering the transfer needle and the catch needle when the device is inserted into a procedural site. A depth limiting apparatus limits the depth of insertion of the needle into the procedural site.
Abstract:
A suture-based vessel closure device can perform the dilation of an arteriotomy puncture and does not require previous dilation of the arteriotomy puncture by a separate device or by a procedural sheath dilator. The suture- based vessel closure device can place one or more sutures across the vessel access site such that, when the suture ends are tied off after sheath removal, the stitch or stitches provide hemostasis to the access site.
Abstract:
A reloadable device for deploying fasteners. The device has a handle and at least one actuator. The handle is connected to an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends. The device includes a first cartridge containing at least one fastener releasably connectable to the handle. The fastener has at least two anchors connected together by a non-resilient flexible suture which does not resist deformation under compressible loads. The first cartridge is removable from the handle. The device includes a second cartridge having at least one fastener releasably connectable to the handle after removal of the first cartridge. The second cartridge being insertable into the device from a proximal end thereof.
Abstract:
Described here are devices, systems and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. Some of the methods described here utilize one or more guide members having alignment members to aid in positioning of a closure device. In general, these methods include advancing a first guide having a first alignment member into the left atrial appendage, advancing a second guide, having a second alignment member, into the pericardial space, aligning the first and second alignment members, advancing a left atrial appendage closure device into the pericardial space and adjacent to the left atrial appendage, and closing the left atrial appendage with the closure device. In these variations, the closure device typically has an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a closure element at least partially housed within the elongate body. The closure element comprises a loop defining a continuous aperture therethrough.
Abstract:
In one form of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for suturing tissue, wherein the apparatus comprises: a housing; a first needle mounted to the housing; a second needle mounted to the housing; a suture having a leading portion and a trailing portion; a first structure associated with the first needle for passing the leading portion of the suture from a near side of the tissue to a far side of the tissue; and a second structure associated with the second needle for retracting the leading portion of the suture from the far side of the tissue back to the near side of the tissue. In another form of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for suturing tissue, wherein the apparatus comprises: a housing; a first needle mounted to the housing; a second needle mounted to the housing; a suture having a leading portion and a trailing portion; a first structure associated with the first needle for passing the leading portion of the suture from a near side of the tissue to a far side of the tissue; a second structure associated with the second needle for retracting the leading portion of the suture from the far side of the tissue back to the near side of the tissue; a pre-formed, uncinched knot formed in the trailing portion of the suture; and a support for releasably supporting the preformed, uncinched knot relative to the housing. In another form of the present invention, there is provided a method for suturing tissue, the method comprising the steps of: providing a suture having a leading portion and a trailing portion, wherein a pre-formed, uncinched knot is formed in the trailing portion of the suture; passing the leading portion of suture from a near side of the tissue to a far side of the tissue; retracting the leading portion of the suture from the far side of the tissue back to the near side of the tissue;. passing the retracted leading portion of the suture through the pre-formed, uncinched knot formed in the trailing portion of the suture; and cinching the knot so as to secure the suture in the tissue.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for controlled grasping and cinching or locking of a tissue anchor are provided. In one variation, a tube is provided having a lumen and a resilient member that obstructs the lumen. A grasper may be advanced coaxially through the lumen, such that it reversibly displaces the resilient member and extends beyond the lumen's outlet to engage an element of the tissue anchor. The grasper then may be retracted within the tube, such that the resilient member again obstructs the lumen of the tube. Continued retraction of the grasper may act to cinch the anchor, for example, via interaction between the anchor and the obstructing resilient member. During cinching, a cinching mechanism of the anchor optionally may be positioned at least partially within the tube to enhance lateral stability. Furthermore, feedback indicative of a degree of cinching or locking may be provided during cinching.
Abstract:
A method of closing a puncture in a blood vessel wall (BV), including: positioning a suture placement device (10) in a tissue tract and into a puncture in the blood vessel wall, the placement device having a length of suture (502) with a first end (540), a second end (550) and a bight (504) between the first and second ends with the bight being prearranged on the device to define a pre-tied knot when the first end of the suture passes through the bight; advancing the first end of the length of suture in a distal direction from the device through a first penetration in the blood vessel wall adjacent to the puncture; guiding the suture length from the first penetration across a proximal side of the puncture to a second penetration adjacent to the puncture opposite the first penetration; and advancing the suture length in a proximal direction through the second penetration, through the device, and through the bight so that the two ends of the suture length are accessible external to the tissue tract for securing the suture across the puncture to close the puncture.
Abstract:
A surgical assembly includes a fastener, a retainer, and a flexible member. The fastener is configured to be secured within bone tissue. The flexible member connects the fastener to the retainer and is movably attached to the retainer such that pulling on a free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the fastener and the retainer. A method includes positioning a fastener within bone tissue, positioning a retainer against soft tissue to be attached to the bone tissue, and pulling a free end of a flexible member. The fastener and the retainer are connected by the flexible member, the flexible member is movably attached to the retainer, and pulling on the free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the fastener and the retainer.
Abstract:
An improved suturing apparatus (10) includes a needle member (20), which is provided with a suture material (70) having a pre-tied knot disposed about a distal end of the needle member (20). The suturing apparatus (10) further includes a first outer member (32), wherein the first outer member (32) and needle member (24) are disposed to permit selective relative movement therebetween. Upon such movement, the first outer member (32) is positionable to engage and position the pre-tied knot beyond the distal end of the needle member (24). A grasping member (50) may be advantageously included in the suturing apparatus (10) for selectively retaining/releasing an end of the suture material (70). The grasping member (50) is defined by a spring-loaded hoop member (52) that may be selectively deployed out of a hollowpiercing tip (22) comprising the needle member (20). In the deployed state, the grasping member (50) may be positioned about the end of the suture material (70). Thereafter, retraction of the hoop member (52) to collapse and grasp the end of the suture material (70) for subsequent suturing steps.
Abstract:
A knot pusher for pushing suture knots (200) towards an incision in a vessel or an organ of a patient includes an elongate member (124) which engages the knots. One segments (194) of the suture is attached to a suture leader (100) which pulls the segment (194) through a lumen in the elongate member (124). Consecutive knots are advanced towards the incision by pushing the knots with the elongate member (124), while holding one or both ends of the suture.