Suturing devices and systems used to close openings into a biological structure. The suturing device can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. One or more sheaths may be used with the device to maintain or substantially maintain haemostasis while the device is used and while a procedure is performed in the biological structure.

A suturing system including an elongate distal member and an elongate proximal member proximal the elongate distal member, the elongate proximal member having a lumen. A needle deployment actuator extends to the elongate distal member and is configured to initiate proximal movement of a needle toward an opening of the elongate proximal member. A guide is disposed within the elongate proximal member, a perimeter of the guide forming a plurality of needle receiving gaps that, when viewed in cross-section, are circumferentially spaced about the deployment actuator with a portion of the guide disposed between adjacent needle receiving gaps extending outwardly towards a wall of the lumen of the elongate proximal member.

A stitching device includes a handle assembly and an elongate shaft assembly. The handle assembly includes a main rod and a drive conversion assembly including a cam wheel, a pivot block, first and second links, and a pawl. The pawl is operatively coupled to the main rod, and is configured to engage the pivot block to cause rotation of the pivot block which, in turn, causes reciprocating displacement of the first and second links. The elongate shaft assembly includes first and second blade drive members coupled to the cam wheel. The tool assembly includes first and second jaws and first and second blades. The first and second blades are operatively coupled with the respective first and second blade drive members, wherein axial displacement of the main rod transitions the first and second jaws between open and closed positions and causes reciprocating axial displacement of the first and second blades.

The present disclosure relates to automated systems, devices, and methods of sewing a target device such as a prosthetic implant device. The systems and methods include forming a stitch on the target device, adjusting a thread coupled to a needle used to form the stitch so that the thread is clear of (e.g., does not interfere with) a path of the needle, and applying a targeted tension to the thread to tension the stitch on the target device. The suturing process can also include providing different targeted tensions during formation of the stitch. The suturing process can also include providing different targeted tensions at different stages of the formation of the stitch to aid in forming the stitch, to clear the needle path of the thread, and/or to hold the stitch in place in preparation for the next stitch.

A modular surgical apparatus is disclosed. Also disclosed is a modular incision apparatus. The modular incision apparatus may be used in a minimally invasive surgery. The modular incision apparatus includes a base having a pair of pivots, a pair of alignment tabs, a proximal opening, and at least one slide guide. The modular incision apparatus includes visual and cleaning access to the blade. The modular incision apparatus is suitable for safely, efficiently, and accurately making small incisions during surgical procedures. The modular incision apparatus provides a means of making small incisions of controlled depth, while reducing the chances of inadvertent exposure of surgical staff to sharp instrument.

A system and method for completing one or more stitches without withdrawal and reloading of an inserter. A suture passer includes a distal end having a body with a gripping portion and a suture holding portion. The gripping portion and the suture holding portion are spaced, defining a recess in the body there between. A tube of the gripping portion extends toward the suture holding portion and maintains a needle therein. The needle is slidable within the tube between a retracted position and an extended position. The needle has a notch at its distal end for catching and securing a limb of suture. In the retracted position, the distal end of the needle is within the tube of the gripping portion and in the extended position, the distal end of the needle extends into the suture holding portion.

An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle, and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a reciprocating needle drive having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.

Methods for measuring tissue defects include the use of a suture anchor, a drill guide, a needle driver, and a ruler. Using the drill guide, the surgeon extends the suture attached to an implanted anchor between the first and second ends of the defect. The surgeon then attaches a needle driver to the suture extending from the proximal end of the drill guide. Finally, the surgeon retracts the suture back through the drill guide and measures the distance between the needle driver and the proximal end of the drill guide to determine a length of a graft needed to repair the defect.

A vessel closure device including a proximal end including a handle with first and second actuators, a distal end including a suturing mechanism, and first and second needles associated with the suturing mechanism. At least one of the first and second needles is coupled to the first actuator. The second actuator is coupled to the suturing mechanism. The suturing mechanism includes a pivotal element capable of being moved by the second actuator between an insertion and removal orientation, a first deployed orientation, and a second deployed orientation. The suturing mechanism is activated within the vessel through an opening in the wall of the vessel and the first and second needles are directed through the vessel wall adjacent to the opening to direct a tensile member adjacent to the opening for closing and sealing the opening.

Provided is a system, a device, a cassette for use therein and method for suturing two tissue sections, for example two sections of a tissue, by using a plurality of consecutively-arranged anchoring units.