SUTURE NEEDLE DEVICES AND SUTURE ATTACHMENT METHODS

1 . A medical device, comprising:

a needle configured for use in suturing tissue, the needle comprising:

a cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis extending between first and second ends of the cylindrical body;

a lumen extending through the cylindrical body transverse to the longitudinal axis; and

a first end portion at the first end of the cylindrical body, wherein the first end portion includes a sharp point configured to pierce tissue;

wherein an outer surface of the cylindrical body defines a first recess in communication with an opening of the lumen and configured to receive an end of a suture.

2 . The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising a second end portion at the second end of the cylindrical body, wherein the second end portion includes a sharp point configured to pierce tissue.

3 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the first recess forms a slot in the outer surface of the cylindrical body, and the first recess is configured to receive a melted end portion of a suture.

4 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the needle further comprises a second recess in communication with a second opening of the lumen, wherein the second recess is configured to receive a portion of the suture adjacent the end of the suture.

5 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the first recess is a counterbore surrounding the opening of the lumen.

6 . A medical device, comprising:

a needle configured for use in suturing tissue, the needle comprising:

a cylindrical body having first and second ends;

an opening defined by the cylindrical body and configured to receive a suture; and

a first end portion at one of the first or second ends of the cylindrical body, wherein the first end portion includes a sharp point configured to pierce tissue;

wherein the cylindrical body includes a first tab extending from the first end of the cylindrical body to the opening and configured to bend to secure a suture within the cylindrical body.

7 . The medical device of claim 6 , wherein the cylindrical body includes a second tab extending from the second end of the cylindrical body to the opening.

8 . The medical device of claim 6 , wherein the opening includes at least a portion transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body.

9 . The medical device of claim 6 , wherein:

the opening is H-shaped,

the first tab extends longitudinally on the cylindrical body,

the first tab is configured to bend at a portion of the first tab proximate the first end of the cylindrical body,

the second tab extends longitudinally on the cylindrical body, and

the second tab is configured to bend at a portion of the second tab proximate the second end of the cylindrical body.

10 . A medical device, comprising:

a needle configured for use in suturing tissue, the needle comprising:

a cylindrical body including a first lumen extending longitudinally within the cylindrical body to a first end of the cylindrical body; and

a first end portion extending from the first end of the cylindrical body, wherein the first end portion includes a first sharp point configured to pierce tissue, and a first extension extending within the first lumen of the cylindrical body;

wherein the first end portion is configured to engage a suture to secure the suture within the first lumen of cylindrical body.

11 . The medical device of claim 10 , wherein the needle further comprises:

a second end portion extending from a second end of the cylindrical body opposing the first end, wherein the second end portion includes a second sharp point configured to pierce tissue and a second extension extending within the first lumen of the cylindrical body.

12 . The medical device of claim 11 , wherein:

the first extension is cylindrical, configured to be positioned within the first lumen of the cylindrical body, and includes a first end face at an end opposite the sharp point of the first end;

the second extension is cylindrical, configured to be positioned within the first lumen of the cylindrical body, and includes a second end face at an end opposite the sharp point of the second end; and

the first and second extensions are configured to couple a suture to the cylindrical body by positioning a suture between the first and second end faces.

13 . The medical device of claim 12 , wherein the first end face and the second end face are curved to form an opening between the first and second end faces when the first and second extensions are positioned in the first lumen; and wherein the opening is configured to receive an end portion of a suture with a diameter larger than the opening.

14 . The medical device of claim 10 , wherein the cylindrical body and the first end portion are integrally formed.

15 . The medical device of claim 11 , wherein the first end portion includes a first concave portion between the first sharp point and the first extension; and wherein the second end portion includes a second concave portion between the second sharp point and the second extension.

16 . The medical device of claim 10 , wherein the first extension of the first end portion includes a first portion, a second portion, and a second lumen between the first and second portions;

wherein the second lumen is configured to receive a suture.

17 . The medical device of claim 16 , wherein the first extension has a cross-sectional diameter larger than a cross-sectional diameter of the lumen of the cylindrical body.

18 . The medical device of claim 16 , wherein a diameter of the second lumen of the first extension is configured to be smaller than the diameter of a suture positioned within the second lumen.

19 . The medical device of claim 10 , wherein the first extension is a collet.

20 . The medical device of claim 16 , wherein a diameter of the second lumen of the first extension is configured to decrease when the first extension is positioned within the cylindrical body.