Suture locking and cutting devices and methods

Abstract

Suture holding devices and methods are disclosed, including devices and methods useful in performing a transoral surgical procedure, such as a posterior gastropexy procedure. A device is disclosed which can be used by a physician in a medical procedure to automatically lock and cut a suture in one motion and without the need for additional cutting instrumentation, rather than perform separate locking and cutting actions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the following applications: U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 571,117 filed May 14, 2004; U.S. provisional Application 60 / 571,119 filed May 14, 2004; and U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 571,000 filed May 14, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to endoscopic suturing devices and methods, including devices and methods which may pass through or be employed in connection with the working channel of various endoscopic and ultrasound devices. BACKGROUND [0003] Application of sutures in the gastrointestinal tract is required for several different types of medical procedures, for example, for transoral endoscopic valvuloplasty for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroplasty, fundoplication, anterior gastropexy, posterior gastropexy, suturing esophageal perforations, or closure of the esophageal side of the tracheo-esophageal fistula. Traditionally, th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Applicants recognize the desirability of providing improved methods of performing a totally transoral surgical procedure, such as a posterior gastropexy procedure, and thereby avoid more-invasive laparoscopic procedures. Applicants also recognize the desirability of providing a single mechanism for automatically locking and cutting a suture and thereby simplifying medical procedures, such as, but not limited to, a posterior gastropexy procedure; and the desirability of providing suture locking and cutting mechanisms that are small enough to pass through the working channel of various endoscopic and ultrasound devices.

[0009] Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing improved methods of performing a totally transoral surgical procedure, such as a posterior gastropexy procedure, and thereby avoiding more-invasive laparoscopic procedures. One embodiment of the present invention provides a device and method that allows a physician in a medical procedure to automatically lock and cut a suture in one motion and without the need for additional cutting instrumentation, rather than perform separate locking and cutting actions.

Problems solved by technology

Such procedures are invasive, as laparoscopy requires that small access incision(s) be made in the body of the patient, through which a laparoscope and other surgical enabling tools are provided, while open surgical techniques are traditionally invasive and can have complications and cause long patient recovery periods.

This may result in multiple passes of instrumentation back and forth through the working channel of the endoscope.

Additionally, the locking mechanism described in the publication is too large to pass through the working channel of an endoscope and, thus, it must be inserted into the patient separately from the endoscope, which again adds complexity to the medical procedure.

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