Apparatus and method for tissue closure

US11033262B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC. · US

Inventors

• John C. Meade · Mendon, US
• Douglas M. MacArthur · Acton, US
• Stephen M. Blinn · Amherst, US
• Christopher Saulnier · Brunswick, US
• Brian R. Edwards · Raymond, US
• Gerald I. Brecher · North Andover, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2017
• Grant date: Jun 15, 2021
• Expiry date: Jan 13, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/0813
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.