Patent ID: 8696687
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A suturing instrument, comprising: an elongate body member comprising a tubular member dimensioned to slidably and rotationally fit within a working channel of an endoscope; a distal portion coupled to a distal end of the tubular member, the distal portion including a first operative portion and an adjacent second operative portion separate from and substantially parallel to the first operative portion, the first operative portion having a distal end and defining a first needle exit port laterally disposed on the distal end, the first operative portion including a first needle carrier disposed at least partially within the first operative portion, and a first needle catch disposed proximal to the first needle exit port, the first needle carrier configured for releasably receiving a first needle, the first needle carrier being movable out of the first needle exit port in a proximal direction to push the first needle into the first needle catch and being movable back through the first needle exit port into a retracted position, the first needle catch comprising a plurality of openings for receiving and retaining the first needle carried by the first needle carrier, the second operative portion having a distal end and defining a second needle exit port laterally disposed on the distal end adjacent to the first needle exit port of the first operative portion, the second operative portion including a second needle carrier disposed at least partially within the second operative portion, and a second needle catch disposed proximal to the second needle exit port and adjacent to the first needle catch of the first operative portion, the second needle carrier configured for releasably receiving a second needle, the second needle carrier being movable out of the second needle exit port in the same proximal direction adjacent to the first needle to push the second needle into the second needle catch and being movable and back through the second needle exit port into a retracted position, the second needle catch comprising a plurality of openings for receiving and retaining the second needle carried by the second needle carrier; and a proximal portion coupled to a proximal end of the tubular member, the proximal portion including an actuator and a deflection actuator, the actuator being manipulatable to cause the first and second needle carriers to extend out of the first and second needle exit ports, respectively, and push the first and second needles into one of the plurality of openings in the first and second needle catches, the actuator also being manipulatable to cause the first and second needle carriers to return through the first and second needle exit ports, respectively, into their retracted positions, the first and second needles being thereby released from the first and second needle carriers and retained in the first and second needle catches, respectively, the deflection actuator being manipulatable to simultaneously adjust the distance between the first and second needle exit ports and the first and second needle catches, respectively, relative to themselves and to the tubular member before the first and second needles are received and retained by the first and second needle catches, respectively.