Apparatus for and method of suturing tissue

A method of suturing tissue including passing a flexible, tubular suture through the tissue. The tissue collapses the tubular suture but is reopened when a second suture is introduced through the tubular suture. A tissue may be severed with the first, flexible, tubular suture before the introduction of the second suture. The second suture is fastened in relation to the tissue to complete the suturing method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a novel suture apparatus and method of 
suturing tissue. 
Many surgical procedures require the use of sutures to refasten severed 
tissue. The object of suturing is to reattach severed portions of the 
tissue in as close proximity as possible to the original position. Where 
the tissue has involuntarily severed the surgeon must surmise a place of 
attachment of the severed parts of the tissue. Where the cutting of the 
tissue results from a surgical procedure, the physician is in a much 
better position to make this determination. However, accurate suturing of 
tissue in this manner is often a difficult task even for the most skilled 
surgeon. This problem is especially acute in delicate surgical procedure 
such as eye surgery. 
It would be a great advance in the medical art if a device and/or method 
were obtained permitting accurate suturing of severed tissue. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful apparatus for a 
method of suturing tissue is provided. 
The apparatus of the present invention employs a first, flexible, 
severable, tubular suture which is capable of passing through the tissue. 
The first, flexible suture may be drawn through the tissue with a 
conventional suture needle. The first, flexible, tubular suture may also 
possess the capability of being collapsible within the tissue. 
A flexible needle is also provided which is capable of passing through the 
first, flexible, tubular suture which may or may not be collapsed. The 
flexible needle would include a blunted tip to prevent stoppage of the 
same through the first, flexible, tubular suture by catching or contacting 
the side of the same. 
It may be also shown that a novel method for suturing tissue is included in 
the present invention. The method includes the step of passing a first, 
flexible, tubular suture through the tissue or portions of the tissue 
which are adjacent one another. The first, flexible, tubular suture may 
collapse upon itself under the pressure of the tissue body. At this point, 
the surgeon severs the tissue at the appropriate place. The first, 
flexible, tubular suture is also severed with this surgical step leaving 
two ends visible within the incision. The collapsed portion of the first, 
flexible, tubular suture is opened by the introduction of a second suture 
through the first, opened, flexible, tubular suture. A second suture is 
introduced by the use of a flexible needle having a blunted tip. After 
introduction of the second suture through the severed tissue portions, the 
severed parts of the first, flexible suture are removed from the tissue by 
sliding the same over the second suture. It should be apparent that a 
third, flexible, tubular suture may be placed adjacent the first, 
flexible, tubular suture such that the second suture may be passed through 
the first and third, flexible, tubular sutures respectively. Moreover, a 
plurality of flexible tubular sutures may be placed adjacent one another 
along the route of the incision such that the second suture may take the 
form of a continuous suture. 
It may be apparent that a novel and useful apparatus for a method of 
suturing tissue has been described. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus 
for a method of suturing tissue which accurately allows the 
re-approximation of the severed portions of tissue resulting from a 
surgical incision. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for a 
method of suturing tissue which is safely and easily performed by a 
surgeon. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus 
for a method of suturing tissue which is especially useful in eye surgery. 
The invention possesses other objects and advantages, especially as 
concerns particular features and characteristics thereof, which will 
become apparent as the specification continues.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following 
detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be 
taken in conjunction with the hereinabove described drawings. 
The invention as a whole is represented in the drawings by reference 
character 10. The apparatus 10 includes a first suture 12 which possesses 
flexibility and is capable of passing through tissue 14, FIG. 1. Tissue 14 
may collapse suture 12 as shown in tissue portion 16, FIG. 1. Suture 12 
may be constructed of any nonreactive flexible material such as silicon, 
and other polymeric compounds known in the art. First suture 12 is also 
severable by surgical knife or scalpel 18. It should be noted that 
surgical knife 18 may be any known device for severing tissue 14 including 
laser beams and the like. 
Turning to FIG. 2, it may be seen that tissue 14 has been cut into two 
portions 20 and 22 by the force of surgical knife 18 along line of force 
24, FIG. 1. Tubular suture 14 has also been severed into portions 26 and 
28. Edges 30 and 32 of suture portions 26 and 28 respectively are visible 
within crevice 34 between portions 22 and 24 of tissue 14. The surgeon 
then is able to view edge portions 30 and 32 by peering into crevice 34. 
Suture 12 may be colored to aid the surgeon in this manner. Suture 12 may 
be drawn through tissue 14 by suture needle 36 which may be of 
conventional construction. Suture needle 38, FIGS. 1-3, possesses a 
flexibility which permits the passage of the same through first suture 12. 
In the case where first suture 12 has collapsed at tissue portion 16, 
suture needle 38 possesses the capability of opening such a collapsed 
portion and passing through suture 12 without damage to the same. In this 
regard, suture needle 28 includes a blunted tip 40 which permits the 
cannulation of the same through suture 12, as hereinabove described. 
Suture needle 38 draws a second suture 42 through first suture 12, more 
specifically portions 26 and 28 thereof, best shown in FIG. 2. Second 
suture 42 may be tied at this point to draw portions 20 and 22 of tissue 
together for healing. With reference to FIG. 3 it may be seen that 
sections 26 and 28 of first suture 12 may be drawn out of portions 20 and 
22, arrows 44 and 46, such that second suture 42 remains within portions 
20 and 22 exactly the same position as first suture 12, FIG. 1. Thus, 
portions 20 and 22 are very closely approximated or matched with reference 
to their position before the severing by surgical knife 18. In the case 
where a multiple stitch by suture 42 is desirable, a third suture having 
the same characteristics as first suture 12 (not shown) may be employed 
adjacent to first suture 12 along crevice 34. It may be apparent that the 
third suture or other sutures having the same characteristics as first 
suture 12 may be cut from portions 20 and 22 after the drawing of second 
suture 42 therethrough using suture needle 38 as a base or backing to 
prevent damage to second suture 42. With reference to FIG. 4, it may be 
seen that second suture 42 is tied with a knot 48 in the conventional 
manner. Injuncture 48 between sections 20 and 22 will readily heal as a 
result of the re-approximation of the portions 20 and 22 of tissue 14. 
In operation, the method of suturing tissue 14 includes the steps of 
passing the first, flexible, tubular suture 12 through tissue 14. Surgical 
knife 18 is then employed to sever tissue 14 into portions 20 and 22 and 
first suture 12 into sections 26 and 28, FIG. 2. As heretofore described, 
the first suture 12 may collapse within tissue 14. A second suture 42 is 
passed through first suture 12 by the use of flexible suture needle 38 
having a blunted tip 42. Collapsed portion 16 of first suture 12 may be 
reopened by this procedure simultaneously with the passage of second 
suture 42 through first suture 12. First suture portions 26 and 28, as 
well as any other portions if a multiplicity of first sutures are employed 
adjacent first suture 12 along crevice 38, may be removed along first 
suture 42 according to arrows 44 and 46, FIG. 3. Second suture 42 is 
fastened with knot 48 bringing sections 20 and 22 of tissue 14 together in 
very close re-approximation of their original positions in relation to one 
another before severing by surgical knife 18. 
While in the foregoing embodiments of the present invention have been set 
forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete 
disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the 
art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing 
from the spirit and principles of the invention.