Apparatus and method for sternotomy closure

US8469973B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ENDOEVOLUTION, LLC · 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: Jul 17, 2008
• Grant date: Jun 25, 2013
• Expiry date: Nov 13, 2029

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 drive mechanism at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the drive mechanism 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 drive mechanism, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.