Needle holder and method of suturing

Abstract

A needle holder has a pair of straight jaws, the jaws having opposing gripping surfaces. A first jaw of the pair of jaws has a longitudinally extending groove for a needle to pass through. The groove is located between the gripping surface and an adjacent surface.

Description

[0001] NEEDLE HOLDER AND METHOD OF SUTURING

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a needle holder and suturing technique.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Suturing is a surgical technique used to close wounds, incisions, or tissue layers to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection. Suturing involves the use of a needle and suture material, in the form of thread, to bring the edges of a wound together. Various suturing techniques are used depending on the type of wound, tissue involved, and desired outcome.

[0006] A common suturing technique for closing wounds is to form a single suture across the wound. The technique for forming a single suture has several steps. Initially, the person performing the suturing technique uses a needle holder to hold a needle, which is carrying a thread, leaving their other hand free. Using the needle holder, the needle is inserted through the tissue on a first side of the wound. The needle and thread are brought across to the opposite side of the wound and pulled out through the tissue leaving a small tail of the thread on the first side of the wound. A knot is formed between the tail on the first side by the person performing the suture taking the needle with their free hand and wrapping the thread around the jaws of the needle holder. The tail of the thread is grasped using the needle holder and pulled through the wraps of thread to form a knot. The process of wrapping the thread around the needle holder and pulling the tail through the wraps of thread may be repeated as many times as necessary to form the knot.

[0007] The knot secures the stitch. The main body of the suture thread is cut to a length similar to the tail, leaving a single suture closing the wound.

[0008] Each suturing technique has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the wound type, location, tissue involved, and desired cosmetic outcome. In some situations, the process above, while seemingly simple, can be difficult to carry out in constrained locations. As a result, other techniques have been developed in an attempt to solve this problem. For example, the user may throw a knot outside the patient's body and then pull the needle and thread through the patient's tissue. Each of the techniques has their own disadvantages. In some situations, forming a suture in place is possible, but the suture quality can be lacking, or it may be very difficult to place the suture in the desired location. In other situations, throwing a knot outside the patient's body could result in the knot loosening, limited tension control of the thread, or potential tissue damage. In recent years working under magnification has become more common for a variety of healthcare professionals. Magnification provides many advantages, however one drawback is that it gives a reduced field of vision. Common suturing techniques require a wide space to throw knots, which may exceed the field of vision available when working under magnification. Suturing performed in constrained spaces, such as a dentist working in a patient's mouth, also makes suturing techniques that require a wide space to throw a knot challenging to use.

[0009] To address these challenges, there is a need for new suturing techniques and needle holders that facilitate these techniques.

[0010] In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

[0011] It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a needle holder that addresses the problems outlined above and / or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a needle holder comprising: a pair of straight jaws, the jaws having opposing gripping surfaces, a first jaw of the pair of jaws having a longitudinally extending groove for a needle to pass through, the groove being located between the gripping surface and an adjacent surface.

[0014] In a configuration the adjacent surface is a top surface when viewing the needle holder from an end.

[0015] In a configuration the adjacent surface is a bottom surface when viewing the needle holder from an end.

[0016] In a configuration a second jaw of the pair of jaws has a longitudinally extending groove between the gripping surface and an adjacent surface. In a configuration the adjacent surface of the second jaw is a top surface when viewing the needle holder from an end.

[0017] In a configuration the adjacent surface of the second jaw is a bottom surface when viewing the needle holder from an end.

[0018] In a configuration one of the jaws has the groove located between the gripping surface and the top surface and the other of the jaws has the groove located between the gripping surface and the bottom surface.

[0019] In a configuration the longitudinally extending groove extends along at least part of a length of the jaw.

[0020] In a configuration the longitudinally extending groove extends along the entire length of the jaws.

[0021] In a configuration the gripping surfaces are textured.

[0022] In a configuration the needle holder further comprises a pair of handles.

[0023] In a configuration the handles are straight handles.

[0024] In a configuration the jaws have a nose, the nose being a rounded nose.

[0025] In a configuration the jaws have a profile that tapers towards the nose.

[0026] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of suturing, comprising the steps of: a) providing a needle holder according to the first aspect, b) providing a needle and suture material; c) holding a tail of the suture material between the jaws of the needle holder; d) wrapping the suture material around the jaws and / or rotating the needle holder while keeping the suture material relatively stationary, allowing the suture material to wrap around the jaws; e) passing the needle under the wrapped suture material and through the groove; and f) drawing the needle holder away from the wrapped suture material, allowing the wrapped suture material to slip off the nose of the jaws.

[0027] In a configuration the method further comprises, after step f): g) drawing the needle holder away from the wound to tie a knot and secure the stitch. In a configuration the method further comprises placing the needle holder on or adjacent a wound.

[0028] In a configuration the method further comprises inserting the needle through the tissue on one side of the wound.

[0029] In a configuration the method further comprises bringing the needle across to the opposite side of the wound and pulling it through until the suture material is taut or mostly taut.

[0030] In a configuration of the method steps d to f are repeated.

[0031] In a configuration the method further comprises the step of cutting the suture material.

[0032] The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of'. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term 'comprising', other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

[0033] It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

[0034] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0035] As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and / or singular form of that noun. As used herein the term 'and / or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows both.

[0036] The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

[0037] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0039] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a needle holder.

[0040] Figure 2 is a detailed view of the jaws of the needle holder of figure 1.

[0041] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a needle holder.

[0042] Figure 4 is a cross-section of the jaws of the needle holder of figure 1.

[0043] Figure 5 is a cross-section of the jaws of an embodiment with two grooves.

[0044] Figure 6 is a cross-section of the jaws of an alternative embodiment with two grooves.

[0045] Figure 7 is a cross-section of the jaws of another alternative embodiment with two grooves.

[0046] Figure 8 is a cross-section of the jaws of an alternative embodiment with three grooves.

[0047] Figure 9 is a cross-section of the jaws of an alternative embodiment with four grooves.

[0048] Figure 10 is a cross-section of the jaws of an embodiment with rectangular grooves.

[0049] Figure 11 is a cross-section of the jaws of an embodiment with U-shaped grooves.

[0050] Figure 12 is a cross-section of the jaws of an embodiment with grooves that have a flat bottom and tapered side walls.

[0051] Figure 13 shows an initial step of a suturing technique.

[0052] Figure 14 shows the suture material in the process of having loops wrapped around the jaws.

[0053] Figure 15 shows a subsequent step with an additional loop of suture material.

[0054] Figure 16 shows the other side of the needle holder to that of figure 8.

[0055] Figure 17 shows the needle holder and suture material adjacent a wound.

[0056] Figure 18 shows a second needle holder holding a needle, which is carrying a suture material.

[0057] Figure 19 shows the needle being inserted into the tissue. Figure 20 shows the needle being pulled through.

[0058] Figure 21 shows the suture material being pulled through.

[0059] Figure 22 shows the needle being inserted under the loops and through the groove.

[0060] Figure 23 shows the needle being passed under the loops and through the groove.

[0061] Figure 24 shows the needle being pushed under the loops and through the groove.

[0062] Figure 25 shows the needle being pulled through the loops and groove.

[0063] Figure 26 shows the suture material being pulled through and the loops slipping off the needle holder.

[0064] Figure 27 shows both needle holders being drawn away from the wound.

[0065] Figure 28 shows the process being repeated with the suture material in the process of having loops wrapped around the jaws.

[0066] Figure 29 shows a subsequent step with an additional loop of suture material. Figure 30 shows the needle holder and suture material adjacent a wound. Figure 31 shows the needle being inserted under the loops and through the groove.

[0067] Figure 32 shows the needle being pulled through the loops and groove.

[0068] Figure 33 shows the suture material being pulled through and the loops slipping off the needle holder.

[0069] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0070] With reference to figures 1 and 2, there is shown a needle holder 100. The needle holder 100 has a pair of levers in the form of handles 110, 120. The needle holder also has a pair of jaws 140, 160 having opposing gripping surfaces 142, 162, with a pivot point 130 between the pair of handles 110, 120 and the pair of jaws 140, 160. In the embodiment shown, the pair of handles 110, 120, the pair of jaws 140, 160 and the pivot point 130 are arranged such that when the handles 110, 120 move towards or away from each other, the pivot 130 allows the jaws 140, 160 to have a corresponding movement. That is, as the handles 110, 120 move towards each other, the jaws 140, 160 also move towards each other. As the handles 110, 120 move away from each other, the jaws 140, 160 also move away from each other. This embodiment may be referred to as a scissor- type needle holder.

[0071] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a needle holder 200. The needle holder 200 has a pair of levers 210, 220. In some embodiments one or each lever 210, 220 has a textured grip 214, 224. The textured grip(s) 214, 224 enhance a user's grip when handling the needle holder 200. The needle holder 200 also has a pair of jaws 240, 260 having opposing gripping surfaces 242, 262. The needle holder 200 has a pivot point 230 located at the opposed end of the levers 210, 220 to the jaws 240, 260. The pair of levers 210, 220 may be connected by a weld. Alternatively, the pair of levers may be one integral piece. One or each of the levers is resiliently deformable, allowing the levers 210, 220 to flex towards each other when the user applies pressure to the levers. When the user applies pressure to the levers 210, 220 the jaws 240, 260 move towards each other. This embodiment may be referred to as a tweezer-type needle holder.

[0072] The jaws 140, 160 each have a top surface 144, 164 that is adjacent to the gripping surface 142, 162. The jaws 140, 160 also have a bottom surface 146, 166 that is adjacent to the gripping surface 142, 162. Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which the first jaw 140 has a longitudinally extending groove 150. The groove 150 is located between the gripping surface 142 and the top surface 144.

[0073] There are four points of intersection between the gripping surfaces 142, 162 and adjacent surfaces 144, 146, 164, 166. Figure 4 shows the groove 150 located at the intersection between the gripping surface 142 of the first jaw 140 and the top surface 144 of the first jaw 140. In an alternative embodiment, a needle holder may have the groove 150 at the intersection between either gripping surface 142, 162 and any one of the adjacent surfaces 144, 146, 164, 166.

[0074] The needle holder 100 may have more than one longitudinally extending groove. Figures 5-9 show various embodiments in which there are two, three, or four longitudinally extending grooves.

[0075] Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which the second jaw 160 has a longitudinally extending groove 170 located between the gripping surface 162 and an adjacent surface.

[0076] Figure 5 shows the adjacent surface is a bottom surface 166 when viewing the needle holder 100 from an end. In the embodiment shown, one of the jaws 140 has the groove 150 located between the gripping surface 142 and the top surface 144 and the other of the jaws 160 has the groove 170 located between the gripping surface 162 and the bottom surface 166.

[0077] Figure 6 shows an embodiment in which both jaws 140, 160 have grooves 150, 170 located between of the gripping surface 142, 162 and the top surface 144, 164. Figure 7 shows an embodiment in which the first jaw 140 has two grooves 150, 152 located between the gripping surface 142 and the top surface 144, and the between the gripping surface 142 and the bottom surface 146 respectively. Figures 8 and 9 show embodiments with three and four grooves respectively. As shown in figure 4, the groove 150 is a chamfer or bevel. That is, it is a transitional surface between the gripping surface 142 and the adjacent surface 144. Figure 4 shows the groove extends a 45-degree angle to the adjacent surfaces. Alternatively, the angle of the groove may be between 30 and 60 degrees. Alternatively, the groove 150 may be rectangular, U-shaped, or have a flat bottom with a side wall that tapers away from the flat bottom. Figures 10-12 depict grooves that are rectangular, U- shaped, and flat bottomed with tapered side walls.

[0078] In the embodiment shown, the gripping surfaces 142, 162 are textured. The textured pattern enhances the grip on the needle 300. This texture also minimizes the risk of the needle 300 slipping during suturing. The texture also prevents the needle 300 from rotating during use. The textured pattern may be serrations, knurling, or other finely textured surface.

[0079] In the embodiment shown, the jaws 140, 160 are straight jaws. Additionally, the handles 110, 120 are straight handles. The jaws and handles are slender components having a width and depth that is smaller than the length. The handles 110, 120 are straight and have circular finger rings.

[0080] Figure 13 shows each of the jaws 140, 160 having a tip. When the jaws are closed, the two tips form a rounded nose. Figure 6 also shows the jaws 140, 160 have a profile that tapers towards the nose.

[0081] With reference to figure 2, it can be seen that the longitudinally extending groove 150 extends along the entire length of the jaw 140. In an alternative embodiment, the longitudinally extending groove 150 may extend from the tip of the jaw along part of a length of the jaw 140.

[0082] The needle holder 100 may have a locking mechanism. In the embodiment shown, the locking mechanism is a ratchet style locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has two tabs 112, 122 - one extending form each handle 110, 120. The tabs 112, 122 have interlocking teeth that engage to lock the needle holder handles 110, 120 a closed position. This allows the user to maintain a steady grip on the needle 300 without having to continuously apply pressure to the handles 110, 120.

[0083] The needle holder 100 is made from surgical-grade stainless steel. In other embodiments, the needle holder 100 may be made from other metallic materials, such as titanium or aluminum. In other embodiments, the needle holder 100 may be made from polymeric materials. The needle holder 100 has a matte finish, which provides a slight texture. The texture can enhance grip when handling the needle holder 100, especially in a wet or slippery environment.

[0084] Initially, the tail of the suture material 400 will be held between the jaws 140, 160, as shown in figure 13. The user the rotates the needle holder 100, while keeping the suture material 400 relatively stationary and taut, allowing the suture material 400 to wrap securely around the jaws 140, 160, as illustrated in Figure 14. Alternatively, the suture material may be wrapped around the jaws manually. The needle holder 100 is then placed on or adjacent the wound 500, as illustrated in Figure 17.

[0085] Using a second needle holder 600 to hold the needle 300, the needle 300 is inserted through the tissue on one side of the wound 500 (Figure 18) and brought across to the opposite side (Figure 19). Figure 20 shows the needle 300 is pulled through until the suture material 400 is taut, as illustrated in Figure 21. Next, figure 22 shows the needle 300 is passed under the wrapped suture material 400 through the groove 150. Figures 23 to 25 show how the needle 300 is pushed and then pulled through the groove, again until the suture material 400 is taut again. The first needle holder 100 is then drawn away from the wrapped suture material 400, allowing the wrapped suture material 400 to slip off the nose of the jaws, as illustrated in Figure 26. Both needle holders are drawn away from the wound 500, tying a knot and securing the suture. The steps are repeated, as shown in figures 27 to 33.

[0086] The suture material 400 may be cut, leaving a single suture closing the wound 500. Alternatively, the process of wrapping and threading the needle 300 along the groove 150 may be repeated.

[0087] The needle holder 100 described herein may be used in laparoscopic or robotic- assisted procedures, when precise control over knot tension, secure suture placement in confined or deep anatomical spaces, and minimized risk of knot loosening or slippage are required for effective tissue approximation and wound healing.

[0088] Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0089] A skilled person will appreciate that needle holders can take many forms. The features disclosed in this specification relate to the jaws of the needle holder. This specification describes the features in the context of a scissor-type needle holder and a tweezer-type needle holder, however the skilled person will appreciate that the same features could be applied to the jaws of other types of needle holders. For example, the levers, pivot point and jaws may have an alternative arrangement to the embodiment described above. The levers, pivot point and jaws may be arranged such that as the levers move towards each other, the jaws move away from each other. As the levers move away from each other, the jaws move towards each other. In this alternative, the levers may be handles or other types of levers.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A needle holder comprising: a pair of straight jaws, the jaws having opposing gripping surfaces, a first jaw of the pair of jaws having a longitudinally extending groove for a needle to pass through, the groove being located between the gripping surface and an adjacent surface.

2. The needle holder according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent surface is a top surface when viewing the needle holder from an end.

3. The needle holder according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent surface is a bottom surface when viewing the needle holder from an end.

4. The needle holder according to claim 1, wherein a second jaw of the pair of jaws has a longitudinally extending groove between the gripping surface and an adjacent surface.

5. The needle holder according to claim 4, wherein the adjacent surface of the second jaw is a top surface when viewing the needle holder from an end.

6. The needle holder according to claim 4, wherein the adjacent surface of the second jaw is a bottom surface when viewing the needle holder from an end.

7. The needle holder according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein one of the jaws has the groove located between the gripping surface and the top surface and the other of the jaws has the groove located between the gripping surface and the bottom surface.

8. The needle holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinally extending groove extends along at least part of a length of the jaw.

9. The needle holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinally extending groove extends along the entire length of the jaws.

10. The needle holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping surfaces are textured.

11. The needle holder according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pair of handles.

12. The needle holder according to claim 11, wherein the handles are straight handles.

13. The needle holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the jaws have a nose, the nose being a rounded nose.

14. The needle holder according to claim 13, wherein the jaws have a profile that tapers towards the nose.

15. A method of suturing, comprising the steps of: a) providing a needle holder according to any one of the preceding claims, b) providing a needle and suture material; c) holding a tail of the suture material between the jaws of the needle holder; d) wrapping the suture material around the jaws and / or rotating the needle holder while keeping the suture material relatively stationary, allowing the suture material to wrap around the jaws; e) passing the needle under the wrapped suture material and through the groove; and f) drawing the needle holder away from the wrapped suture material, allowing the wrapped suture material to slip off the nose of the jaws.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising, after step f): g) drawing the needle holder away from the wound to tie a knot and secure the stitch.

17. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 16, further comprising placing the needle holder on or adjacent a wound.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, further comprising inserting the needle through the tissue on one side of the wound.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising bringing the needle across to the opposite side of the wound and pulling it through until the suture material is taut or mostly taut.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein steps d to f are repeated.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, further comprising the step of cutting the suture material.

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