Tissue closure systems
Tissue closure systems are disclosed wherein one variation generally includes a handle, a proximal catheter segment extending from the handle, a deployment segment coupled to the proximal catheter segment, and a distal catheter segment pivotably coupled to the deployment segment such that the distal catheter segment is rotatable at an angle relative to the proximal catheter segment. A receiver member positioned within the deployment segment is configurable between a low-profile configuration and a deployed configuration. Two or more forward needle members and two or more rear needle members are extendable distally from a first side and a second side of the proximal catheter segment. The two or more forward needle members are receivable into the two or more openings along the first receiver portion and the two or more rear needle members are receivable into the two or more openings along the second receiver portion.
1 . A tissue closure apparatus, comprising:
a handle having one or more actuation mechanisms;
a proximal catheter segment extending from the handle, wherein the proximal catheter segment further defines a proximal longitudinal axis;
a deployment segment coupled to the proximal catheter segment;
a distal catheter segment coupled to the deployment segment such that the distal catheter segment is rotatable at an angle relative to the proximal catheter segment, wherein the distal catheter segment further defines a distal longitudinal axis which is offset relative to the proximal longitudinal axis such that the distal longitudinal axis and the proximal longitudinal axis are non-collinear;
a receiver member positioned within the deployment segment and having two or more openings along a first receiver portion and two or more openings along a second receiver portion, wherein the receiver member is configurable between a low-profile configuration and a deployed configuration;
two or more forward needle members which are extendable distally from a first side of the proximal catheter segment and two or more rear needle members which are extendable distally from a second side of the proximal catheter segment opposite to the first side, and
wherein the two or more forward needle members are receivable into the two or more openings along the first receiver portion and the two or more rear needle members are receivable into the two or more openings along the second receiver portion when the receiver member is in the deployed configuration.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proximal catheter segment defines one or more suture lumens within.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proximal catheter segment defines openings corresponding to each of the two or more forward needle members and the two or more rear needle members.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the deployment segment defines a receiving area for retaining the receiver member in the low-profile configuration.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the deployment segment defines a curved or arcuate profile such that the distal longitudinal axis of the distal catheter segment is offset relative to the proximal longitudinal axis of the proximal catheter segment.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a coupling member retained within each of the two or more openings along the first receiver portion and the two or more openings along the second receiver portion.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each coupling member defines an opening configured to receive a piercing tip from a corresponding needle member in a secure engagement.
8 . The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each coupling member is connected to a terminal end of a suture length.
9 . The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a first length of suture coupled to a first coupling member retained within a first opening along the first receiver portion and to a second coupling member retained within a second opening along the second receiver portion.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a second length of suture coupled to a third coupling member retained within a third opening along the first receiver portion and to a fourth coupling member retained within a fourth opening along the second receiver portion.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more tissue dilation elements configured to extend laterally from the proximal catheter segment.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a suture anchor device configured to receive one or more lengths of suture deployed from the tissue closure apparatus and secure a tissue securement anchor about the one or more lengths of suture.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein two or more lengths of suture are secured with a single tissue securement anchor.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sheath assembly slidably positioned along the proximal catheter segment, the sheath assembly having a sheath member and a proximal interface member.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the sheath member is configured to conform to the deployment segment such that the receiver member in the low-profile configuration is encased within the sheath member.