Puncture site closure device

Abstract

A laparoscopic fascial closure device (10) for fashioning a secure closure about a laparoscopic puncture site. The device comprises an elongate cannula (12) having proximal (12a) and distal (12b) ends. A needle suture complex (22) is selectively deployed from the distal end (12b) of the device that is operative to deploy a suture across the puncture site from within the body and draw the free ends of the suture outwardly from the body via the laparoscopic port site. The device (10) is configured to be utilized through a ten millimeter or larger laparoscopic port, and is operative to position the suture at the puncture site such that the suture extends in a diametrically-opposed configuration at least 1.0 cm or greater across opposed sides of the puncture site.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIMS OF PRIORITY [0001] This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference in its entirety, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 086,318, filed Mar. 1, 2002, entitled “Laparoscopic Port Site Fascial Closure Device”.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Laparoscopic, endoscopic, and thorascopic surgeries are well-known surgical techniques that advantageously reduces patient recovery time due to minimal tissue damage, which consequently permits the patient to return to normal activity in a shorter period of time. Generally, surgery relies upon the formation of one or more trocar puncture wounds through which are deployed surgical instruments and a rod-like telescope with a light source to enable the surgeon to view the organs and conduct the surgery. [0003] Notwithstanding the tremendous advantages afforded by such surgical techniques, there still presents substantial clinical problems. More specifically, the puncture wounds created-wi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a device for closing incisions and punctures in tissue, such as those made during laparoscopic procedures. The device includes a needle / suture complex and a cannula with a hollow tubular member that can be inserted through punctures or incisions. The needle / suture complex has a connecting rod with a retractable needle that can be extended or retracted to close the puncture or incision. The needle / suture complex can be positioned within the cannula to facilitate closure of the puncture or incision. The device is designed to minimize trauma to the patient, maintain pneumoperitoneum, and enable closure without direct visualization."

Problems solved by technology

Notwithstanding the tremendous advantages afforded by such surgical techniques, there still presents substantial clinical problems.

More specifically, the puncture wounds created-within the body by the surgeon to gain access to the surgical site are often difficult and time-consuming to close, and can place great demands on the surgeon.

Such task is made even more difficult when such surgery is performed upon obese patients where there is a relatively deep puncture wound formed through a relatively small puncture site or incision.

Ironically, the need to enlarge the puncture site in order to adequately close the same partially negates the primary advantages of this kind of surgery; however, such practice is essential insofar as failure to properly close the puncture wound can lead to serious medical complications.

Such attempts, however, have proven less than satisfactory and fail to provide a practical solution to the foregoing problems.

In this regard, substantially all such devices allegedly designed to facilitate the closure of a laparoscopic, endoscopic, or thorascopic puncture site are incapable of deploying a suture a sufficient distance about the puncture site to fashion an appropriate closure.

In the case of laparoscopic surgery, such limited distance fails to sufficiently approximate the peritoneum and fascia surrounding the puncture site sufficiently to form an adequate closure.

While it is recognized that a suture extending a greater distance across the puncture site would be more advantageous, the capability of prior art devices position such a suture have not heretofore been available insofar as any fascial closure device must necessarily be insertable through a small endoscopic port, which may be a 10 mm laparoscopic port, which places considerable spacial constraints on the design of such devices.

Additionally disadvantages with such prior art closure devices include the failure of such devices to selectively deploy needles for positioning and stitching a suture across the puncture site that can ultimately be withdrawn from the puncture wound without the need to enlarge the incision or puncture site.

Images