Suturing apparatus and method

US11439397B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Gyrus ACMI, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Adam L. Smith · Olalla, US
• Clifton A. Alferness · Redmond, US
• Gina M. Muia-Longman · Seattle, US
• David Seward · Seattle, US
• Chenhao Fu · Renton, US
• Ilia Timonin · Seattle, US
• Blake R. Stancik · Mukilteo, US
• Amanda Kay Woodcock · Seattle, US
• David A. Desmarais · Seattle, US
• Donald C. Baumgarten · Seattle, US
• Paul T. Hinrichs · Seattle, US
• Thomas H. Ruscher · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 27, 2019
• Grant date: Sep 13, 2022
• Expiry date: Jun 18, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/1135
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for driving a needle to facilitate suturing, such as may be performed in a surgical anastomosis procedure. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame. First and second rollers are rotatably mounted parallel with each other in the frame and are configured to engage therebetween a shaft of a needle formed in a helical shape. The first and second rollers are configured to counter-rotate. The needle is revolvable eccentrically around the first roller responsive to counter-rotation of the first and second rollers. A drive mechanism is secured to the frame and is configured to move the frame.