U.S. patent number 3,807,407 [Application Number 05/324,838] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-30 for suture applicator.
Invention is credited to Edward E. Schweizer.
United States Patent |
3,807,407 |
Schweizer |
April 30, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
SUTURE APPLICATOR
Abstract
A surgical instrument for mechanically suturing an incision or
wound comprising first and second pivotally interconnected jaw
elements, a replaceable suture magazine containing a single looped
suture, the free ends of which are provided with short needles,
means on said first jaw for supporting said suture magazine with
said needles facing said second jaw, said second jaw including
means for receiving and frictionally retaining said needles,
whereby upon the positioning of the edge areas of an incision
between said jaws, and the closing of the same thereupon, said
needles and suture are moved from said magazine to said second jaw
to be retained thereon, and after the opening of said jaws to
permit manual removal therefrom, and the tying of the suture. One
embodiment substitutes metallic staples for the suture and suture
needles.
Inventors: |
Schweizer; Edward E. (New
Rochelle, NY) |
Family
ID: |
26847513 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/324,838 |
Filed: |
January 18, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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150290 |
Jun 7, 1971 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/145; 606/146;
227/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
17/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
17/04 (20060101); A61b 017/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/334R,340,326,339 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Truluck; Dalton L.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending
application Ser. No. 150,290, filed June 7, 1971 now abandoned
under the same title.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A surgical suture applicator comprising: a first lever including
a first jaw arm thereon; a second jaw arm; a pivotal connection
between said first lever including said first jaw arm and said
second jaw arm; an actuator lever also pivotally mounted on said
connection; a latch member carried on said second jaw arm; means on
said actuator lever engaging said latch member to transmit pivotal
movement to said second jaw arm through a predetermined angle
toward said first jaw arm to a relatively closed condition; means
on said second jaw arm operable to disengage said latch member, and
means located on surfaces of said second jaw arm and said first
lever operable to interlock said second jaw arm and said first
lever when said first and second jaw arms move into said relatively
closed condition; and means on said actuator lever for operating
suturing means when said first lever and second jaw arms are
interlocked.
2. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 wherein said
latch member disengaging means comprises: a cam member on said
first lever engageable by said latch member as said first and
second jaw arms move toward said relatively closed condition.
3. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 including: a
protuberance on said actuator member; a surface on said
protuberance which is perfectly flat and on a center line of said
pivotal connection; a surface on said latch member which is flat
and in face-to-face engagement with said protuberance surface; and
said latch member being pivotally carried on said second jaw
arm.
4. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 wherein said
interlocking means comprises: a spring detent on one of said first
lever and said second jaw arm; and a recess on the other of said
first lever and said second jaw arm.
5. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 4 wherein: said
spring detent is disposed on said second jaw arm on a side of said
pivotal connection to bias said second jaw arm relative to said
first lever toward said relatively closed condition.
6. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 wherein said
interlocking means comprises: a plunger on said second jaw arm; a
recess on said first lever opposing said plunger when said jaws are
in said relatively closed condition; a cam follower behind said
plunger; spring means interposed between said plunger and said cam
follower; high and low cam dwell surfaces on said actuator lever
engaging said cam follower; said high dwell surface being operable
to force said cam follower to overcome said sprng means and engage
against said plunger forming a solid column between said actuator
lever and said first lever after said actuator lever is released by
said latch member.
7. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 including:
means on said actuator lever and said second jaw arm for
disengaging said interlocking means upon moving said actuator lever
in a reverse direction to move said jaw arms to relatively open
condition.
8. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 6 wherein said
means comprises: opposing push surfaces on said actuator lever and
said second jaw arm engageable during said reverse movement to
overcome said interlocking means and pivot said second jaw arms
with said actuator lever.
9. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 including: a
pair of opposing stop surfaces on said first and second jaw arms
engageable when said arms are in said relatively closed
position.
10. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 wherein said
suture operating means comprises: means on said second jaw arm for
carrying a needle and suture; a receptacle on said first jaw arm to
receive a needle driven from said second jaw arm; and an elongated
pusher member on said second jaw arm connected to said actuator
lever to drive said needle.
11. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 wherein said
suture operating means comprises: an elongated pusher member on
said second jaw arm adapted to drive a needle and suture; a pusher
arm on said actuator lever disposed to pivot about said pivotal
connection through an arc generally tangent to the longitudinal
axis of said pusher member; and means attaching said elongated
pusher member to said pusher arm.
12. Structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said interlocking
means comprises: a pivotally mounted latch on one of said jaw arms
and having an arcuate surface, a corresponding locking surface on
an oppositely disposed lever, an arcuate surface on said actuating
arm selectively engageable with said arcuate surface on said latch,
movement of said jaws to a relatively closed condition serving to
engage said arcuate surfaces and positively lock said latch against
said locking surface.
13. Structure in accordance with claim 1, including suturing means
in the form of a staple-holding magazine removably retained on said
second jaw arm.
Description
This invention relates generally to the field of surgical
instrumentation, and more particularly to an improved suture
applicator of a type adapted to form a suture closure for a wound
or incision by simultaneously forcing through the abutted tissue a
pair of needles connected to the opposite free ends of a single
looped length of suturing material.
It is among the principal objects of the present invention to
provide an improved surgical instrument of the class described
which may be conveniently operated by one hand of the surgeon,
allowing him to use the remaining hand for whatever additional
manipulation may be required at the instant the suturing operation
is performed.
Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an
improved suturing instrument capable of retaining a detachable
suture magazine, each magazine having a single suture therein in
predetermined position for application, whereby a series of
suturing applications may be performed in rapid sequence.
Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an
improved suturing device including a detachable magazine, in which
both device and magazine may be conveniently placed in sterile
condition, as by treatment within a surgical autoclave, without
deleterious effect.
A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an
improved suturing device of the class described, in which the
suturing operation, including the clamping of tissue to be sutured,
and the subsequent insertion of the suture may be performed
sequentially by progressive squeezing of the handle of the
device.
Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an
improved suturing applicator, in which the cost of fabrication may
be of a reasonably low order, thereby permitting consequent wide
sale, distribution and use.
These objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages,
will more fully appear in the course of the following disclosure,
and be pointed out in the appended claims.
In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the
specification, similar reference characters have been employed to
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectional view
showing the jaw elements comprising the device in relatively open
condition, and prior to the commencement of a suturing
application.
FIG. 3 is a similar fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectional
view showing the device with the jaw elements in relatively closed
position, and prior to the insertion of a suture through clamped
tissue.
FIG. 4 is a similar fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing
the insertion of the suture while the jaw elements are in
relatively locked condition.
FIG. 5 is a horizontal fragmentary sectional view as seen from the
plane 5--5 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 6--6
in FIG. 3.
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are transverse sectional views as seen from the
planes 7--7, 8--8, and 9--9 in FIG. 5.
FIG. 10 is a view in elevation of a spool forming part of a
magazine element retaining individual sutures.
FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view of the magazine element as
seen from the plane 11--11 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 12 is a view in perspective showing an individual looped
suture.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a suture element
corresponding to the upper right hand portion of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, corresponding
in most respects to that seen in FIG. 4, but showing a modified
form of the embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a longitudinal enlarged sectional view of the magazine
employed in the modified form shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view as seen from the lower portion of
FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of the tip
of a lower jaw member, corresponding to the lower right hand
portion of FIG. 14.
FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of a bobbin forming part of the
magazine illustrated in FIG. 15.
FIG. 19 is a transverse sectional view as seen from the plane
19--19 in FIG. 15.
FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to that seen
in FIG. 3 and showing a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to that seen
in FIG. 3, and showing a third embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 22 and 23 are end elevational views of the third embodiment
as seen from the right hand portion of FIG. 21.
FIG. 24 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and
showing a fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 25 is a fragmentary sectional view of the fourth embodiment
showing certain of the component parts in altered relative
condition.
In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the
device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises
broadly: a first jaw element 11, a second jaw element 12, a
replaceable suture magazine element 13, and manually engageable
operating means 14. Elements 11, 12 and 14 are preferably formed as
precision castings from stainless steel or other suitable material.
The magazine element 13 may also be formed of such materials, but
in the interest of low cost of manufacture, where the magazines are
not to be reloaded, they are preferably formed as moldings from
synthetic resinous materials capable of withstanding heat of
sterilization, and effects of the sterilizing liquids.
The first jaw element 11 includes a main body 17, bounded by an
outer surface 18, side surfaces 19 and 20, a forward end surface
21, a rearward end surface 22 and an inner surface 23. Extending
into the surface 23 is a magazine-engaging recess 24, bounded by a
bottom surface 25, side surfaces 26 and 27, a rearward end surface
28 and a forward end surface 29. A rearwardly facing cylindrical
bore 30 supports a resilient detent member 31 which includes an
outer end projection 32 moved leftwardly as seen in FIG. 3 under
the action of a coil spring 33.
A large, irregularly-shaped recess 34 is penetrated by a main
pintle 35. A longitudinally extending bore 36 communicates with the
recess 34 as does a forwardly extending bore 37 which encloses a
motion transmitting cable 38. The cable passes through an open area
39 (see FIGS. 5 and 9), and communicates through a link 40 to a
bifurcated needle actuator 41 in the bore 37.
The second jaw element 12 is of symmetrical configuration with
respect to the first jaw element, and is interconnected thereto by
the pintle 35. It includes an integral handle member 46, having a
finger engaging loop 47 and a locking rachet member 48 of a type
well known in the surgical instrument field. A bifurcated member 49
surrounds the main body 17 of the element 11, and supports a jaw
body 50 having an inner surface 51. A recess 52 extends into the
surface 51 to accommodate the magazine element 13 when the jaws are
in closed position (see FIG. 3). As best seen in FIG. 6, the jaw 50
is bounded by side surfaces 53 and 54, an end surface 55, and an
outer surface 56. An inwardly-extending recess forms a camming
surface 58 which acts upon a latch member 59 arranged for pivotal
movement on a pin 60 in the first jaw element 11, and normally
urged leftwardly as seen in FIG. 3 by a spring 61 positioned in the
recess 62.
The free end adjacent the surface 55 includes a pair of needle
receiving bores 63 and 64 having flanged ends 65.
The surface magazine element 13 will be best understood from a
consideration of FIGS. 10 to 13, inclusive, and includes a molded
synthetic resinous main body member 71, a detachable cover member
72, a freely rotating bobbin 73, and a single length of looped
suture 74.
The main body member 71 includes a bobbin holder 75 comprising side
walls 76, a rear wall 77, a projection 78 engaging a corresponding
recess 79 in the element 11, a forward wall 80. A forwardly
extending tongue member 81 includes a thickened tip 82 having a
pair of transversely extending bores 83 which communicate with
axially extending bores 84. The cover member 72 includes first and
second walls 85 and 86, interconnected by a ledge forming member 87
which, in connection with the projection 78 permit the magazine to
be resiliently snapped into place with respect to the upper jaw
element 11.
The bobbin 73 includes a core 90 having a suture-engaging eye 91
and a pair of side flanges 92 and 93. A length of suture material
94 (FIG. 12) may be of any well known suturing material, and
includes a looped end 95 engageable within the eye 91, and a pair
of free ends 96, each provided with a short needle 97, the eye 98
of which is squeezed against the end of the suturing material to
retain the same in position.
The means 14 includes a handle member 101 also carried by the
pintel 35. The member 101 includes a corresponding finger engaging
loop 102 and ratchet 103, and an elongated shank 104 having an end
enlargement 105. A transversely extending bore 106 provides a
bearing for the pintle 35. The enlargement includes a projection
107 selectively engageable with the latch member 59, and a recess
108 which engages a transversely extending enlargement 109 on the
end 110 of the cable 38.
Operation of the device will be understood by a successive
consideration of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. While in the condition shown in
FIG. 2, a loaded magazine element is snapped into the position
shown by first engaging the projection 78 in the recess 79, and
swinging the magazine such that the ledge-forming member 87 engages
the corresponding notch 112 in the inner surface 23. This operation
will position the needles 97 as shown in FIG. 2, to be subsequently
actuated by the cable 38.
At the commencement of a suturing operation, the flesh to be
sutured is inserted between the jaw elements, and the means 14 and
handle member 46 are squeezed together between the thumb and
fingers by the surgeon. During the period in which the projection
107 and latch member 59 are engaged as shown in FIG. 2, the jaw
elements will be moved to a closed position as shown in FIG. 3. As
the position shown in FIG. 3 is approached, the latch is cammed out
of engagement with the projection 107, but as complete
disengagement occurs, the detent member 31 will engage a
corresponding recess 113 in the handle member 46 to prevent the
jaws from opening until required.
With the disengagement of the latch member 59, relative movement
between the enlargement 105 and the first jaw element 11 is
possible, and motion is transmitted through the enlargement 109 to
the cable 38 which moves the bifurcated needle actuator 41 against
the rear ends of the needles 97, and forces them through the flesh
and into engagement with the bores 63-64, to be frictionally
retained thereby as the end of the suture becomes wedged within the
bores. The ratchet member 48 may then be disengaged from the
ratchet member 103, and the device returned to the position shown
in FIG. 2, following which the suture needles 97 may be disengaged,
and the suture tied by the surgeon. After the knot (not shown) has
been formed, the remaining length of suture may be conveniently
cut.
During this return movment, the cable 38 is automatically withdrawn
by the opening of the ratchet members, and when the leftward
vertical surface of member 105 engages the leftward vertical
surface of the recess 34, the detent member 32 is pulled out of its
corresponding recess 113, the movement imparted to the finger
engaging portions 47 and 102 providing an automatic resetting of
the device.
In normal practice, where a large number of suturing operations are
to be performed, it is desirable to have a plurality of devices
which may be conveniently handed to the surgeon as required. Each
device, after use, may be again readied for reuse, by the removal
of the magazine element 13, and its replacement by a fresh
magazine.
Turning now to the alternate form of the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 14 to 18, inclusive, parts corresponding to those of the
principal form have been designated by similar reference characters
with the addition "2".
The alternate form, generally indicated by reference character 120
differs from the principal form in a number of respects. A follower
121 is provided for the spring 261, and the member 259 is altered
to angular configuration for superior transmission of resilient
pressure thereupon.
The magazine element 213 is modified by elimination of the cover
member thereof, and the bobbin 273 is provided with a
radially-extending tab 123 in lieu of the eye 91.
The tip 124 of the lower jaw 256 is provided with a shaped recess
125 accommodating a synthetic resinous plug 126 secured in position
by a threaded means 131. The plug 126 has extensions 127 which
extend to communicate with the bores 263 and 264, and thereby
provide a yieldable resilient frictional means for retaining the
needles 297 when the jaws are opened.
Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated
in FIG. 20, and generally indicated by reference character 310,
parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been
designated by corresponding reference characters with the
additional prefix "3".
To provide a more positive maintenance for the jaws in relatively
closed condition, the third embodiment includes a recess 301
selectively engaged by a lock latch 302 pivotally mounted at 303
and urged clockwise as seen in FIG. 20 by a spring plunger 304.
As the actuator lever 3104 is released by the pawl 359, it moves
toward the lower jaw lever 346, and a radial locking surface 306
moves into position in front of a corresponding radial surface 307
on an adjustable member 308, thus locking the tip of the lock latch
into the recess 301.
The lower jaw and the upper jaw are now positively locked into a
one piece unit resisting all possible opening forces on the lever
tips when the needles are being driven.
As the levers are retracted and opened, the actuator lever resets
itself to its initial position. The locking latch is now free to
pivot and release the upper jaw from the lower jaw lever. The stop
surface 3105 limits the travel of the lock latch when it is
disengaged from the lower jaw. When the levers are fully opened,
they are, of course, freely moveable.
Turning now to the third embodiment of the invention, generally
indicated by reference character 310, and illustrated in FIG. 21,
parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been
designated by similar reference characters with the additional
prefix "4".
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the provision
of a staple magazine 401 having a plurality of serially advanced
staples 402 fed to the end of the jaw 418. Staple closing means 403
replaces the opening 65 in the principal embodiment, whereby the
device may serve as a hand-held stapler for both surgical and
non-medical use.
Turning now to the fourth embodiment of the invention, as
illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, and designated by reference
character 501, parts corresponding to those with the principal
embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters
with the initial prefix "5".
This embodiment features a resilient plunger 532 including a hollow
cam follower 501 riding on a shaft portion 502. The enlargement 405
includes a cam having a first surface 503 and a second surface 504
which presses the follower toward the shaft to form a solid column
when the jaws 511 and 512 are in relatively closed condition, and
the surface 504 is engaged. In this condition, the detent structure
holding the jaws in relatively closed condition is no longer
resilient, but is completely positive until the jaws are moved to
opened condition.
It may thus be seen that I have invented a simple conveniently used
suturing applicator which permits the use of tissue absorbable
suturing materials without resort to laborious hand suturing
operations. Each loop stitch formed is of the same size, and the
speed of application is materially reduced. The device may be
durably constructed at a cost permitting the availability of many
such devices at a single location, so that a relatively complicated
suturing procedure involving many individual suturing applications
may be performed rapidly and conveniently. One embodiment discloses
the inventive structure in a form suitable for feeding and closing
staples both for medical and non-medical use.
It is to be understood that it is not considered that the invention
lies in the specific details of structure shown and set forth in
this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those
skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.
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