Apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing

1 . A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising:

a) a suture housing;

b) a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path;

c) a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and

d) wherein the suture housing has an open position and a closed position, and the needle can be removed from the suture housing when in the open position.

2 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly moves the needle about a continuous circular path.

3 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the suture housing is shaped and dimensioned for insertion through a natural orifice of a patient.

4 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the suture housing is shaped and dimensioned for laparoscopic insertion through a trocar.

5 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the suture housing includes a first housing member and a second housing member, and a hinge connects the first housing member and the second housing member.

6 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a needle may be reloaded within the suture housing when in its open position.

7 . A surgical suturing apparatus shaped and dimensioned for insertion through a natural orifice of a patient, comprising:

a) a suture housing;

b) a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path;

c) a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and

d) wherein the suture housing has an open position and a closed position, wherein the needle can be removed from the suture housing when in the open position.

8 . A surgical suturing apparatus shaped and dimensioned for laparoscopic insertion through a trocar, comprising:

a) a suture housing;

b) a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path;

c) a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and

d) wherein the suture housing has an open position and a closed position, wherein the needle can be removed from the suture housing when in the open position.

9 . A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising:

a) a suture housing;

b) a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path;

c) a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and

d) means for determining the position of a predetermined point on the needle relative to the needle's path of travel when the predetermined point not visually detectable.

10 . A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising:

a) a suture housing;

b) a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path;

c) a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path in a first direction in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and

d) an anti-backup mechanism associated with the needle for preventing movement of the needle in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

11 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the drive assembly moves the needle about a continuous circular path.

12 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the suture housing is shaped and dimensioned for insertion through a natural orifice of a patient.

13 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the suture housing is shaped and dimensioned for laparoscopic insertion through a trocar.

14 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the anti-backup mechanism includes a lever arm secured to the suture housing for selectively engaging the needle.

15 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the lever arm is pivotally secured to the suture housing.

16 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the anti-backup mechanism includes a biased latch mounted within the suture housing for selectively engaging the needle.

17 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the anti-backup mechanism further prevents the needle from moving between actuations of the drive assembly.

18 . A surgical suturing apparatus shaped and dimensioned for insertion through a natural orifice of a patient, comprising:

a) a suture housing;

b) a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path;

c) a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path in a first direction in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and

d) an anti-backup mechanism associated with the needle for preventing movement of the needle in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

19 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the drive assembly moves the needle about a continuous circular path.

20 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the anti-backup mechanism includes a lever arm secured to the suture housing for selectively engaging the needle.

21 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the anti-backup mechanism includes a biased latch mounted within the suture housing for selectively engaging the needle.

22 . A surgical suturing apparatus shaped and dimensioned for laparoscopic insertion through a trocar, comprising:

a) a suture housing;

b) a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path;

c) a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path in a first direction in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and

d) an anti-backup mechanism associated with the needle for preventing movement of the needle in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

23 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the drive assembly moves the needle about a continuous circular path.

24 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the anti-backup mechanism includes a lever arm secured to the suture housing for selectively engaging the needle.

25 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the anti-backup mechanism includes a biased latch mounted within the suture housing for selectively engaging the needle.

26 . A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising:

a) a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a handle attached thereto, the distal end having a suturing body attached thereto, wherein the handle is operatively connected to the suturing body;

b) the suturing body comprising a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path facilitating application of a suture to tissue; and

c) means for accommodating and operating different sized needles and different sized sutures while maintaining the operative connection between the handle and the suturing body.

27 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the means for accommodating includes a cartridge housing the needle.

28 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the drive assembly moves the needle about a continuous circular path.

29 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the suture housing is shaped and dimensioned for insertion through a natural orifice of a patient.

30 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the suture housing is shaped and dimensioned for laparoscopic insertion through a trocar.

31 . A surgical suturing apparatus shaped and dimensioned for insertion through a natural orifice of a patient, comprising:

a) a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a handle attached thereto, the distal end having a suturing body attached thereto, wherein the handle is operatively connected to the suturing body;

b) the suturing body comprising a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path facilitating application of a suture to tissue; and

c) means for accommodating and operating different sized needles and different sized sutures while maintaining the operative connection between the handle and the suturing body.

32 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein the means for accommodating includes a cartridge housing the needle.

33 . A surgical suturing apparatus shaped and dimensioned for laparoscopic insertion through a trocar, comprising:

a) a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a handle attached thereto, the distal end having a suturing body attached thereto, wherein the handle is operatively connected to the suturing body;

b) the suturing body comprising a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path facilitating application of a suture to tissue; and

c) means for accommodating and operating different sized needles and different sized sutures while maintaining the operative connection between the handle and the suturing body.

34 . The suturing apparatus according to claim 33 , wherein the means for accommodating includes a cartridge housing the needle.

35 . A method for suture lacing, comprising:

a) providing a suture with a needle attached thereto;

b) inserting the needle and suture into an organ through a passageway;

c) throwing a single stitch through a first tissue member, throwing a single stitch through an opposed and spaced apart second tissue member;

d) repeating step (c) at least once;

e) bringing the first and second tissue members in contact by tensioning the suture, whereby suture drag is minimized during the tensioning and even tissue compression substantially achieved; and

f) securing the suture.

36 . The method according to claim 35 , wherein the suture includes first and second leads, and the step of securing includes knotting the first and second leads of the suture.

37 . The method according to claim 35 , wherein the suture includes first and second leads and the step of securing includes anchoring at least one of the first and second leads of the suture to tissue.

38 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein the step of securing includes anchoring both the first and second leads of the suture to tissue.

39 . The method according to claim 35 , wherein the step of inserting includes insertion through a natural orifice of a patient.

40 . The method according to claim 35 , wherein the step of inserting includes insertion through a trocar.

41 . A method for suture lacing, comprising:

a) inserting a needle with a suture secured thereto through a passageway, wherein the suture includes a first lead and a second lead;

b) anchoring the first lead of the suture to a first tissue member;

c) alternately throwing the suture through a first tissue member and an opposed second tissue member; and

d) securing the suture.

42 . The method according to claim 41 , further including the step of anchoring the second lead to either the first tissue member or the second tissue member.

43 . The method according to claim 41 , wherein the step of inserting includes insertion through a natural orifice of a patient.

44 . The method according to claim 41 , wherein the step of inserting includes insertion through a trocar.