Apparatus, device, and method for increasing force distribution at suture-tissue interface

1 . A tissue suturing apparatus configured to be coupled to an endoscope, the tissue suturing apparatus comprising:

a tissue suturing device configured to be coupled to a distal end of an endoscope, the tissue suturing device comprising a needle movable with respect to the endoscope to be passed back and forth through tissue; and

a housing containing a plurality of tissue supports mounted with respect to the tissue suturing device to be individually and sequentially deployed over the needle by passing the needle through a tissue support to puncture and extend through the tissue support, the tissue supports configured to be released from the needle to be deployed on the tissue, wherein the housing defines an interior channel and includes a biasing device biasing the plurality of tissue supports through the interior channel.

2 . The tissue suturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tissue supports are mounted along a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the needle to move longitudinally over the needle.

3 . The tissue suturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein tissue supports of said plurality of tissue supports comprise one or more of the following: a flexible washer, a sprayable adhesive, a pledget, or a spring-loaded wire.

4 . The tissue suturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a tissue support of said plurality of tissue supports is solid and puncturable by the needle.

5 . The tissue suturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tissue suturing device has a proximal end configured to be coupled to a distal end of the endoscope.

6 . The tissue suturing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a suture comprising:

a core; and

a sheath;

wherein the sheath is operable to expand radially from the core in an area adjacent the target tissue.

7 . The tissue suturing apparatus pf claim 6 , wherein the sheath comprises a plurality of flexible strands.

8 . A method, comprising:

providing a tissue suturing apparatus comprising:

a tissue suturing device configured to be coupled to a distal end of an endoscope, the tissue suturing device comprising a needle movable with respect to the endoscope to be passed back and forth through tissue; and

a housing containing a plurality of tissue supports mounted with respect to the tissue suturing device to be individually and sequentially deployed over the needle by passing the needle through a tissue support to puncture and extend through the tissue support, the tissue supports configured to be released from the needle to be deployed on the tissue, wherein the housing defines an interior channel and includes a biasing device biasing the plurality of tissue supports through the interior channel;

passing the needle and a suture of the tissue suturing device through a target tissue, the tissue suturing device extending from a distal end of an endoscope;

deploying a first tissue support from the tissue suturing device to a position along a first portion of the target tissue; and

deploying a second tissue support from the tissue suturing device to a position along a second portion of the target tissue, wherein tightening the suture brings the first tissue support and second tissue support closer together.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: exposing the first tissue support is exposed within a suture cavity; engaging the first tissue support within the suture cavity by the needle to remove the first tissue support from the deployment device; exposing the second tissue support within the suture cavity; and engaging the second tissue support within the suture cavity by the needle to remove the second tissue support from the deployment device.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising accessing the plurality of tissue supports through an opening of a cover extending across the deployment device.