Devices and methods for surgical suturing
An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An apparatus for tissue suturing comprising a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis; a pusher assembly comprising a cartridge holder having a needle rotation drive capable of releasably engaging the cartridge and rotating the suturing needle about the axis; and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle rotation drive to rotate the needle rotation drive. A method for suturing tissue comprising placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span separated tissue segments; activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the separated tissue segments; and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the separated tissue segments forming a stitch.
1. A method for suturing tissue comprising:
releasably engaging a cartridge to a cartridge holder assembly of a suturing device;
placing the suturing device having the cartridge with a protective housing and a suturing needle to cause an aperture in the cartridge to surround at least a portion of a tissue segment, wherein a pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the protective housing after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about a rotational axis; and
activating an actuator coupled to a needle drive that releasably engages the suturing needle to cause movement of the suturing needle across the aperture and advance the suturing needle through the tissue segment.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising releasing the actuator to permit the needle drive to return to a home position where the needle drive can re-engage the suturing needle.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising deactivating the actuator to permit the needle drive to return to a home position where the needle drive can re-engage the suturing needle.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the suturing needle includes a suture attached thereto, and wherein the method further comprises applying tension to the suture after it has been pulled through the tissue segment by the needle.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is operated by applying a manual or automated mechanical force.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the needle drive causes advancement of the suturing needle by providing a pushing force adjacent a second end of the needle opposite the pointed end of the suturing needle.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the needle drive causes advancement of the suturing needle by providing a pushing force adjacent the pointed end of the suturing needle.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising advancing the suturing needle in a curved needle track defined on an inner surface of the cartridge during advancement of the suturing needle.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning the pointed end of the suturing needle within a curved needle track of the cartridge prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising slidably positioning the suturing needle in a curved track of the cartridge.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
releasing the actuator to permit the needle drive to return to a home position where the needle drive can re-engage the suturing needle; and
preventing the needle from backing up while the needle drive returns to the home position.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising placing a series of continuous sutures to close a wound or incision site.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming a spiral stitch using the suturing device.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming a mattress stitch using the suturing device.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming a purse string stitch using the suturing device.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the actuator includes actuating a mechanically driven switch.
17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing the cartridge after the suture has been placed in a patient.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising disposing of the cartridge.