Patent ID: 6117144
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A suturing device for remotely sealing an incision in a wall of a blood vessel or other biological structure, comprising:an elongated body having a distal portion which is adapted to be inserted through the incision and into the blood vessel, the distal portion having an outer wall with first and second apertures formed therein, the elongated body further comprising first and second needle ports positioned proximal to the distal portion such that the needle ports remain outside the blood vessel when the distal portion is positioned within the blood vessel;first and second arms which retract into and extend out from the first and second apertures, respectively, and which releasably hold a suture, the arms remotely movable to a deployed position in which the arms extend outward from the body to hold the suture away from the body; andfirst and second needles which extend from the first and second needle ports, respectively, to capture the suture, the needles remotely movable between a retracted position in which the needles are housed within the body and an extended position in which the needles extend distally from the needle ports and outwardly from the body;wherein movement of the needles from the retracted position to the extended position, and back to the retracted position, with the arms deployed within the blood vessel and holding the suture, causes the needles to pierce the blood vessel, release the suture from the arms, and withdraw a portion of the suture from the blood vessel.