Patent Publication Number: US-2023149013-A1

Title: Suture needle devices and suture attachment methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/727,783, filed on Sep. 6, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/848,885, filed on May 16, 2019, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and related methods. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to needles for use in suturing tissue, related assemblies including a suture, methods for attaching a suture to a needle, and methods for joining tissue, among other aspects. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In some medical procedures, it may be necessary or useful to fixedly connect a portion of tissue to another portion of tissue. Attaching portions of tissue, such as to hold together a wound or damaged tissue, with one or more sutures may allow adhesions to form between the two tissues so that the attachment remains after the sutures are absorbed or removed. Often, an assembly including a needle and a suture coupled to the needle is used to suture tissue together. The tissue attachment method often involves piercing tissue with the needle and pulling on the needle to pull or thread a suture attached to the needle through the hole created in the tissue. One way to couple a suture to a needle involves a hole in the needle in which the suture is thread through, and a knot may be tied at one end of the suture to prevent the end from passing through the hole of the needle. However, knot size can be inconsistent and may, in some examples, pull through the hole in the needle and uncouple the needle and suture. When a suture uncouples from a needle, surgical operation times may increase, as operators may need to reassemble the needle and suture assembly. This and other suture attachment means may allow the suture to extend radially outward from the needle, increasing resistance as the needle is pushed through tissue. Thus, there is a need for alternative suture and needle assemblies and methods of suturing tissue to, for example, decrease the chance of the suture releasing from the needle, ease the passing of the needle and suture through tissue, and/or simplify suturing procedures. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to, among other things, medical devices for suturing tissue. The present disclosure also relates to methods of attaching a suture to medical devices (including needles), methods of operating the devices, and/or performing procedures with the devices. Each of the embodiments disclosed herein may include one or more of the features described in connection with any of the other disclosed embodiments. 
     According to one aspect, a medical device including a needle configured for use in suturing tissue. The needle may include a cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis extending between first and second ends of the cylindrical body. The needle may also include a lumen extending through the cylindrical body transverse to the longitudinal axis. The needle may further include a first end portion at the first end of the cylindrical body. The first end portion may include a sharp point configured to pierce tissue. An outer surface of the cylindrical body may define a first recess in communication with an opening of the lumen and configured to receive an end of a suture. 
     The medical device may include one or more of the features below. The needle may include a second end portion at the second end of the cylindrical body, and the second end portion may include a sharp point configured to pierce tissue. The first recess may form a slot in the exterior surface of the cylindrical body, and the first recess may be configured to receive a formed end portion of a suture. The needle may further include a second recess in communication with a second opening of the lumen, and the second recess may be configured to receive a portion of the suture adjacent the end of the suture. The first recess may be a counterbore surrounding the opening of the lumen 
     According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device, may include a needle configured for use in suturing tissue. The needle may include a cylindrical body having first and second ends. The needle may also include an opening defined by the cylindrical body and may be configured to receive a suture. The needle may further include a first end portion at one of the first or second ends of the cylindrical body. The first end portion may include a sharp point configured to pierce tissue. The cylindrical body may include a first tab extending from the first end of the cylindrical body to the opening and may be configured to bend to secure a suture within the body. 
     The medical device may also include one or more of the features below. The cylindrical body may include a second tab extending from the second end of the cylindrical body to the opening. The opening may include at least a portion transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body. The opening may be H-shaped, each tab may extend longitudinally on the cylindrical body, and each tab may be configured to bend at a portion of the tab proximate an end of cylindrical body. 
     According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device may include a needle configured for use in suturing tissue. The needle may include a cylindrical body including a first lumen extending longitudinally within the body to a first end of the body. The needle may also include a first end portion extending from the first end of the cylindrical body. The first end portion may include a first sharp point configured to pierce tissue, and a first extension may extend within the first lumen of the cylindrical body. The first end portion may be configured to engage a suture to secure the suture within the first lumen of cylindrical body. 
     The medical device may also include one or more of the features below. The needle may further include a second end portion extending from a second end of the cylindrical body opposing the first end. The second end portion may include a second sharp point configured to pierce tissue and a second extension may extend within the first lumen of the cylindrical body. The first extension may be cylindrical, may be configured to be positioned within the first lumen of the cylindrical body, and may include a first end face at an end opposite the sharp point of the first end. The second extension may be cylindrical, may be configured to be positioned within the first lumen of the cylindrical body, and may include a second end face at an end opposite the sharp point of the second end. The first and second extensions may be configured to couple a suture to the cylindrical body by positioning a suture between the first and second end faces. The first end face and the second end face may be contoured to form an opening between the first and second end faces when the first and second extensions are positioned in the first lumen. The opening may be configured to receive an end portion of a suture with a diameter larger than the opening. The cylindrical body and the first end portion may be integrally formed. The first end portion may include a first concave portion between the first sharp point and the first extension. The second end portion may include a second concave portion between the second sharp point and the second extension. The first extension of the first end portion may include a first portion, a second portion, and a second lumen between the first and second portions. The second lumen may be configured to receive a suture. The first extension may have a cross-sectional diameter larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the lumen of the cylindrical body. The diameter of the second lumen of the first extension may be configured to be smaller than the diameter of a suture positioned within the second lumen. The first extension may be a collet. The diameter of the second lumen of the first extension may be configured to decrease when the first extension is positioned within cylindrical body. 
     The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. The term “exemplary” is used in the sense of “example,” rather than “ideal.” 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. These drawings illustrate aspects of the present disclosure that, together with the written descriptions herein, serve to explain this disclosure as follows: 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary medical device, according to aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary medical device, according to aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 C  is a cross sectional view of an exemplary medical device, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate perspective views of an exemplary medical device assembly including the exemplary medical device of  FIG.  1 A , according to aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary medical device, according to aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary medical device, according to aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the medical device of  FIG.  4   , according to aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary medical device, according to aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the medical device of  FIG.  6   , according to aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the medical device of  FIG.  6   , according to aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary medical device, according to aspects of this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. When used herein, the terms “approximately” and “substantially” may indicate a range of values within +/−5% of a stated value. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary medical device  100 , shown as a double-sided needle. Medical device  100  may include a cylindrical body  102  and two end portions, or ends,  104 ,  106 . Each end  104 ,  106 , may be tapered and come to a sharp point  104 ′,  106 ′. In other examples, medical device  100  may include a single sharp point (either  104 ′ or  106 ′ at one end  104 ,  106 ) and include a blunt opposing end (the other of  104 ,  106 ). In some examples, ends  104 ,  106  may include concave portions  108 ,  110 . In other examples, ends  104 ,  106  may not include concave portions  108 ,  110  and may form a taper starting at an end of cylindrical body  102 . Concave portions  108 ,  110 , may have a curved outer surface that may curve radially inward relative to the longitudinal axis of medical device  100 . In some examples, concave portions  108 ,  110 , may have a curved exterior surface that may meet and be flush with cylindrical body  102  at an end of the curved surface. In some examples, concave portions  108 ,  110 , may be hour-glass shaped and may have an exterior surface that curves radially-inward relative to the exterior surface of cylindrical body  102 . In some examples, concave portions  108 ,  110  may be equidistant from a lumen  112  of cylindrical body  102 . In some examples, each concave portion  108 ,  110  may be configured to receive a bearing ball from a medical device. The portion of each end  104 ,  106 , on the opposite end of sharp point  104 ′,  106 ′, may be coupled to the cylindrical body  102 . In some examples, ends  104 ,  106  may be welded to cylindrical body  102 . 
     Medical device  100  may also include a lumen  112  extending through cylindrical body  102 . Lumen  112  may extend through a central portion of cylindrical body  102  (shown in  FIG.  1   ) and may extend perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension of cylindrical body  102  that extends through sharp points  104 ′,  106 ′. In other examples, lumen  112  may extend through a non-central portion of cylindrical body  102  and/or be at an angle transverse to the longitudinal dimension, but not perpendicular. Lumen  112  may include a first opening  113  on one side of cylindrical body  102  and a second opening  114  on the opposite side of cylindrical body  102  as the first opening  113 . In some examples, cylindrical body  102  may include recesses or slots  115 ,  116  extending longitudinally on a radially-outer surface of cylindrical body  102 . In some examples, slots  115 ,  116  may be positioned on opposite sides of cylindrical body  102 . Slots  115 ,  116  may create recesses in cylindrical body  102 . Opening  113  of lumen  112  may be positioned within or otherwise in communication with slot  115 , and opening  114  may be positioned in or otherwise in communication with slot  116 . Slots  115 ,  116  may taper radially inward from portions proximate to each longitudinal end of cylindrical body  102  to openings  113 ,  114 . Slots  115 ,  116  may be configured to receive a melted end of a suture. In some examples, medical device  100  may be metal or any other suitable biocompatible material. 
       FIG.  1 B  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary medical device  1100 , shown as a double-sided needle. Medical device  1100  may include cylindrical body  1102 , two ends  1104 ,  1106  with sharp points  1104 ′,  1106 ′, concave portions  1108 ,  1110 , lumen  1112 , and opening  1113 , similar to those shown in  FIG.  1 A , except for the following differences. Cylindrical body  1102  may include a single circular counter bore  1117  surrounding opening  1113  of lumen  1112 . In other examples, single counter bore  1117  may surrounding opening  1114  (the opening at the other end of lumen  1112 ), or medical device  1100  may include two counter bores  1117  positioned at each opening  1113 ,  1114  of lumen  1112 . In other examples, medical device  1100  may include a single counter bore  1117  at opening  1113 , and opening  1114  may be flush with the exterior surface of cylindrical body  1102 . Counter bore  1117  may include a wall  1116  extending radially inward from the radially-outermost surface of cylindrical body  1102  and a ridge  1115  positioned around opening  1113 . Counter bore  1117  at one of openings  1113 ,  1114  may be configured to receive an end portion of a suture, such as a melted end portion of a suture that may conform to the shape of counterbore  1117 . Counter bore  1117  may assist with preventing a suture from passing through lumen  1112 . 
       FIG.  1 C  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of another exemplary medical device  2100  similar to devices  100  and  1100 . Medical device  2100  may include a cylindrical body  2102 , two ends  2104 ,  2106 , concave portions  2108 ,  2110 , lumen  2112 , opening  2113 , and slots  2115 ,  2116 . In some examples, a suture  2120  may be melted within lumen  2112 . In some examples, suture  2120  may not extend beyond the opening of lumen  2112  on an opposite side of cylindrical body  2102  from slots  2115 ,  2116 . In some examples, lumen  2112  may include one or more protrusions  2131  (each of which protrudes into lumen  2112 ) and/or one or more recesses  2133  adjacent the protrusions  2131 . Each protrusion  2131  and/or recess  2133  may facilitate coupling suture  2120  to medical device  2100 . For example, suture  2120  may be melted and/or deformed so that portions of suture  2110  may be positioned within one or more recesses  2133  of lumen  2112 . After melting and/or deforming portions of suture  2120  to position portions of suture within one or more recesses  2133 , the suture  2120  may be fixedly coupled to medical device  2100  such that suture remains within lumen  2112  when a pulling force is applied to the suture, such as when using medical device  2100  to suture a patient. Protrusions  2131  counter the pulling force on suture  2110  and assist in retaining suture  2110  in lumen  2112 . Medical device  2100  may allow suture  2120  to be coupled to medical device  2100  and only extend from one opening  2113  of lumen  2112 . As shown in  FIG.  1 C , suture  2120  may be bent at opening  2113  of lumen  2112  such that a portion of suture  2120  is positioned within a slot  2116 , allowing for a smaller exterior diameter of medical device  2100 . In other examples, lumen  2112  may include any number of protrusions and/or recesses and/or may include curved protrusions and/or recesses. In some examples, lumen  2112  may not extend completely through medical device  2100 . 
       FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate perspective views of an exemplary medical device assembly  101  including medical device  100  of  FIG.  1 A  and a suture  120 . Suture  120  may be cylindrical and may be polyproplylene. In other examples, suture  120  may be polyester, nylon, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polymer materials, or any other absorbable or non-absorbable biocompatible material. In medical device assembly  101 , suture  120  may be positioned within lumen  112 . The diameter of suture  120  may be sized to fit within lumen  112  and may have a diameter less than the diameter of lumen  112 . An end portion  122  of suture  120  may be T-shaped and may be shaped to fit within either slot  115  or slot  116 . The T-shape of end portion  122  may prevent suture  120  from being pulled out of lumen  112  during use. In some examples, the end portion  122  of suture  120  may be positioned within either of slots  115 ,  116 , such that end portion  122  does not extend beyond the radially-outermost portion of the outer surface of cylindrical body  102 . In some examples, the outer surface of end portion  122  may be flush with the outer surface of body  102 . The slot  115 ,  116  that is not accommodating end portion  122  may be configured to receive suture  120  when suture  120  is bent to be approximately longitudinally aligned with/parallel with medical device  100 , for example when a user is pushing medical device assembly  101  through tissue of a patient and suture  120  may be rotated at opening  113  of lumen and positioned within one of slots  115 ,  116  opposite the slot in which end portion  122  is positioned. Thus, slots  115 ,  116  may facilitate the insertion of medical device  100  into a patient by having little or no suture protruding radially outward of the outer surface of body  102 . 
     In some examples, a method to assemble medical device assembly  101  includes heating an end portion of suture  120  such that the end portion melts and conforms to the shape of, and is contained within, one of slots  115 ,  116 , for example to form end portion  122 . When an end portion of suture  120  melts from heating, suture  120  may bond to medical device  100  (and particularly body  102 ) and may prevent suture  120  from moving away from medical device  100  during use. In some examples, end portion  122  of suture  120  may be conformed to the shape of one of slots  115 ,  116 . In other examples, such as when coupling a suture to medical device  1100  of  FIG.  1 B , an end portion of a suture may be conformed to the shape of a circular shaped counter bore  1117  in medical device  1100  and extend through lumen  1112 . In some examples, end portion  122  of suture  120  is fixedly attached to medical device  100 . In operation, slots  115 ,  116  may facilitate medical device  100  movement through tissue by allowing suture  120  to be received within slots  115 ,  116  and prevent suture  120  from increasing the circumference, diameter, or cross-sectional diameter of cylindrical body  102  of medical device  100 , which may prevent damage to tissue. Suture  120  may be used in medical device assemblies incorporating any of the medical devices described herein. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary medical device  300  similar to medical device  100 . Medical device  300  may include a cylindrical body  302  and end portions, or ends,  304 ,  306  coupled to ends of cylindrical body  302 . Ends  304 ,  306  may include concave portions  308 ,  310 . Cylindrical body  302  may be hollow and may include an opening  317 . Opening  317  may be H-shaped and may provide access to the interior portion of cylindrical body  302 . In some examples, opening  317  may include two slots  319 ,  321  extending longitudinally on cylindrical body  302  and one slot  323  connecting the two longitudinally-extending slots  319 ,  321  and transverse to each of the two longitudinally-extending slots  319 ,  321 . In some examples, slot  323  may be positioned at the longitudinal midpoint of cylindrical body  302  and/or slots  319 ,  321 . In some examples, slot  323  may be perpendicular to slots  319 ,  321 . Cylindrical body  302  may include tabs or flanges  313 ,  315  that may be formed in the wall of cylindrical body  302 . In some examples, tabs or flanges  313 ,  315  may extend longitudinally on cylindrical body  302 , may extend from an end of body  302  to the transverse slit  323  of opening  317 . In some examples, tabs or flanges  313 ,  315  may define opening  317  and/or be surrounded on at least three sides by opening  317 . Flanges  315 ,  317  are cantilevered at, and can flex at, ends  315 ′,  313 ′ of flanges  315 ,  317  respectively. Flanges  315 ,  317  thereby can flex into and away from the hollow interior portion of body  302 . 
     A suture (not shown) may be positioned within hollow cylindrical body  302  under tabs or flanges  313 ,  315 . Tabs or flanges  313 ,  315  may be pressed down onto the suture by a user, crimping the suture in place by pushing the suture between one or more of tabs or flanges  313 ,  315  and an interior portion of hollow cylindrical body  302 . In some examples, after a user pushes down one or more of tabs or flanges  313 ,  315 , the one or more tabs or flanges  313 ,  315  yields and remains bent down and holding the suture in place. In some examples, tabs or flanges  313 ,  315  may provide a mechanical lock on a suture positioned within an interior portion of hollow cylindrical body  302  and/or may fixedly couple a suture to medical device  300 , such as fixedly couple a suture within cylindrical body  302 . In some examples, by allowing an end portion of a suture to be crimped within hollow cylindrical body  302 , such as by bending one or more tabs or flanges  313 ,  315 , will allow medical device  300  to be more streamlined and limit the outer diameter or cross-sectional dimension of cylindrical body  302  by providing a suture fastening mechanism entirely within cylindrical body  302 , which may prevent excessive tissue damage when a user operates with medical device  300 . Once a suture is coupled to medical device  300 , suture may exit medical device  300  at opening  317 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary medical device  400  similar to medical devices  100 ,  200 , and  300 . Medical device  400  may include a cylindrical body  402  and ends  404 ,  406 . Ends  404 ,  406  may include concave portions  408 ,  410 . Cylindrical body  402  may be hollow and may include an opening  416  and interior portion  414 . Opening  416  may be oval-shaped and may extend longitudinally within cylindrical body  402 . In other examples, opening  416  may be any suitable shape and/or may be configured to receive a suture. Cylindrical body  402  may be hollow (as shown in the cylindrical body  602  of  FIG.  7   ) and may be configured to receive extensions  417 ,  419  of each end  404 ,  406 . In some examples, cylindrical body  402  may be configured to receive extensions  417 ,  419  at openings, like the openings  665 ,  666  in body  602  of  FIG.  7   . End surfaces  660 ,  661  of cylindrical body may be configured to contact and/or be flush with a surface (such as surface  665  of end  606  in  FIG.  8   ) of one of ends  404 ,  406 . 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary end  404  including a concave portion  410  and a cylindrical, solid extension  419 . Cylindrical extension  419  may be configured to be inserted into cylindrical portion  402  and positioned within cylindrical portion  402 . In some examples, cylindrical extension  419  may include an end face  423  with a recess  421 . Recess  421  of end face  423  may be curved and/or contoured, and may extend from one side of extension  419  to an opposite side of  419 . A longitudinal axis of recess  421  may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of device  200  that extends from end  404  to end  406 . Recess  406  may be configured to receive a portion of a suture. Recess  421  may be present on each extension  417 ,  419  of each end  404 ,  406  and may create a space between opposing end faces of each extension  417 ,  419  when positioned within cylindrical body  402 . That space has a smaller diameter than a diameter of a suture used with medical device  400 . In other examples, cylindrical extension  419  may not include recess  421 . In some examples, when medical device  400  is assembled, a suture (such as suture  120 ) may be positioned within an interior portion of cylindrical body  402 , through opening  416 , and between each extension  417 ,  419  of each end  404 ,  406 . Extensions  417 ,  419  may pinch the suture within cylindrical body  402  to hold the suture in place. The end faces of each end  404 ,  406  may form an opening  412  into an interior portion of cylindrical body  402 , and opening  412  may be configured to receive the suture. In some examples, a suture may be held within cylindrical body  402  and between extensions  417 ,  419  by the interference and/or deformation of the suture between extensions  417 ,  419 . In some examples, portions of ends  404 ,  406  may be welded to cylindrical body  402  after a suture is pinched and/or fixedly positioned between extensions  417 ,  419 . In some examples, end face  423  and/or recess  421  of one or more ends  404 ,  406  may be textured to increase friction between extension  417 ,  419  and a suture. In some examples, end face  423  and/or recess  421  may include a sharp protrusion configured to couple with a suture, such as by piercing a suture to hold the suture in place. In some examples, end face  423  may be angled relative to opening  416  such that the distance between end faces  423  of each extension  417 ,  419  varies when medical device  400  is assembled. For example, end face  423  may be angled relative to the radially-outer surface of extension  419  and end face  423  may be slanted such that, when medical device  400  is assembled, the distance between end faces  423  of each extension  417 ,  419  becomes larger as the distance from opening  416  increases, or vis-versa. In other examples, ends  404 ,  406  may be coupled to cylindrical body with glue, cement, or any other adhesive. In some examples, either end  404  or  406  may be integrally formed with cylindrical body and assembly of medical device  400  with a suture may only require the other end, either  406  or  404 , to be inserted into cylindrical body to pinch a suture. When fully assembled, medical device  400  may fix an end of a suture within cylindrical body  402 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary medical device  600  similar to medical devices  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  400 . Medical device  600  may include a cylindrical body  602  and ends  604 ,  606 . Ends  604 ,  606  may include concave portions  608 ,  610  and may have extensions  617 ,  619  similar to those discussed above in relation to medical device  400 , except for differences described herein. Cylindrical body  602  may be hollow (shown in  FIG.  7   ) and may include an opening  616  and an interior portion  614 . Opening  616  may be oval-shaped and may extend longitudinally within cylindrical body  602 . In other examples, opening  616  may be any suitable shape, such as a circle, a square, a rectangle, etc. Cylindrical body  602  may be configured to receive extensions  617 ,  619  of each end  604 ,  606 , and extensions  617 ,  619  may be positioned within openings  665 ,  666 . In some examples, components of medical device  600  may include cylindrical body  602  and ends  604 ,  606 . 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a perspective view of end  606  of medical device  600 , including extension  617 . In some examples, extension  617  may be cylindrically shaped and may have a hollow body defining a lumen  626  therethrough. A first portion  633  and a second portion  635  of extension  617  may extend longitudinally from end  629  towards the opposite end  631  of extension  617 , and may form two opposing gaps  625 ,  627  in extension  617 . Extension  617  may form a collet that receives a suture in lumen  626  (such as suture  640  shown in dotted-lines in  FIG.  6   ). Extension  617  may be configured to be inserted into cylindrical body  602  of medical device  600 . In some examples, surface  665  of end  606  may be transverse to the radially-outer surface of extension  617  and may be configured to stop insertion of end  606  into body  602 . For example, when surface  665  contacts one of end surfaces  660 ,  661  of body  602 , surface  665  may prevent end  606  from being inserted further into interior portion  614  and may facilitate proper positioning of end  606 . 
     First portion  633  and second portion  635  of extension  617  may be curved and may form a partial cylindrical shape. In some examples, the cross-sectional diameter of extension  617 , or the cross-sectional diameter of the partial cylindrical shape formed by first portion  633  and second portion  635  of extension  617 , may be approximately equal to the inner diameter of cylindrical body  602 , or the cross-sectional diameter of inner portion  614 . In other examples, the cross-sectional diameter of extension  617  may be larger than the inner diameter of cylindrical body  602 . In other examples, the cross-sectional diameter of extension  617  may decrease from end  629  to end  631 , such as decreasing from a cross-sectional diameter larger than the cross-sectional diameter of inner portion  614  of body  602  at end  629  to a cross-sectional diameter approximately equal to the cross-sectional diameter of inner portion  614  at end  631 . 
     The diameter of lumen  626  formed by first portion  633  and second portion  635  of extension  617  may be sufficiently large to permit insertion of suture  640  therein, but the diameter of lumen  626  may be made smaller as described herein the squeeze suture  640  and thereby secure suture  640  therein. In some examples, to couple a suture to medical device  600 , a user may insert an end of a suture  640  into lumen  626 , which may require the user to bend or move first portion  633  and second portion  635  radially outward to position the suture  640  within lumen  626 . When positioned within lumen  626 , first and second portions  633 ,  635  may exert a force on suture  640  and/or may clamp down onto suture  640 . In some examples, to couple a suture  640  to medical device  600 , a user may first insert a suture  640  through opening  616  and one of the ends of cylindrical body  602 , and then position the suture  640  within lumen  626  of extension  617 . Once positioned within lumen  626 , the user may position extension  617  within the interior portion  614  of body  602 , which may require the user to push first portion  633  and/or second portion  635  radially inward to fit extension  617  within the interior portion  614  of body  602 . In some examples, the radially-outer cross-sectional diameter of extension  617  may increase from end  629  to end  631 , which may cause a force exerted by first and second portions  633 ,  635  on the suture  640  to increase as the user inserts extension  617  into cylindrical body  602 . This design may facilitate fixedly coupling the suture  640  to medical device  600 . In other examples, the cross-sectional diameter of extension  617  may remain constant from end  629  to end  631  and may be larger than the inner diameter of body  602 . When the cross-sectional diameter of extension  617  remains constant from end  629  to end  631  and is larger than the inner diameter of body  602 , the user may push first and second portions  633 ,  635  radially inward to allow extension  617  to be inserted into body  602  and, once inserted, the inner surface of body  602  may prevent first and second portions  633 ,  635  from moving radially outward and may hold suture  640  positioned in lumen  626  between first and second portions  633 ,  635 . Inserting extension  617  into body  602  may provide a pinching or clamping mechanism to pinch or clamp a suture  640  between first and second portions  633 ,  635  and within lumen  626 . 
     In some examples, medical device  600  may also include end  604  including a solid cylindrical extension similar to end  404 . Alternatively, end  604  and cylindrical body  602  may be integral with each other and may form a single component of medical device  600 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , needle suture component  900  includes a cylindrical body  902 , end  906 , concave portion  908 , opening  916 , extension  917 , and interior portion  914  similar to previously described embodiments of cylindrical bodies and ends. Needle suture component  900  may be integrally formed such that cylindrical body  902  and end  906  form a single component for use in a suture needle device. For example, medical device  600  may be assembled using end  606  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) and needle suture component  900 , allowing medical device  600  to include two components, a needle suture component  900  and an end  606 , instead of three, a cylindrical body  602  and two ends  604 ,  606 . In some examples, needle suture component  900  may be metal or any other suitable biocompatible material. 
     In use of any of the aforementioned embodiments of medical devices, a user may locate a treatment site (such as a wound or a cut in tissue) present in a subject&#39;s body. Any of the aforementioned medical devices may be inserted through a portion of the patient&#39;s tissue at the treatment site and then subsequently inserted into a different portion of tissue of the patient. The user may pull the two portions of the tissue penetrated by the medical device together using a suture attached to the medical device. For example, the user may thread the suture through tissue of the patient and sew tissue together to facilitate wound healing. 
     It should be understood that one or more of the aspects of any of the medical devices described herein may be used in combination with any of the other aspects. It also should also be understood that one or more aspects of any of the medical devices described herein may be used for suturing, stitching, cutting, grabbing, holding, moving, dissecting, or treating tissue in any part of the human body. For example any of the medical devices described herein may be used in medical procedures such as for endoluminal surgery, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), cancer treatment, and/or other procedures where grabbing, moving, holding, or removing tissue is needed. 
     Moreover, while specific exemplary embodiments may have been illustrated and described collectively herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments described and shown herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. 
     Other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, and departures in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the following claims.