A surgical suturing instrument includes first and second jaw members each defining a hole for detachable receipt of opposite ends of a curved needle. The first jaw member is rotatable relative to the second jaw member to move and transfer the curved needle between the jaw members. A first elongate locking element is slidable within the first jaw member between non-locking and locking positions. When the first elongate locking element is in the locking position and the curved needle is disposed within the hole of the first jaw member, a portion of the first elongate locking element is received in a notch defined in an end of the curved needle to selectively secure the curved needle to the first jaw member.

Multiple endoscopic devices and methods for closing perforations and/or creating anastomoses in tissue are described. For example, this document provides devices and methods for performing esophagogastric anastomoses and for closing esophageal perforations in a minimally invasive fashion. The devices and methods provided herein can also be used for, without limitation, colorectal anastomoses, any bowel anastomosis, gastric bypass anastomoses, and broader vessel anastomoses.

Various embodiments of a cartridge are disclosed, for loading a suture onto a suturing instrument and, in some embodiments, for loading a pre-tied knot formed from the suture onto the suturing instrument. The suturing instrument is typically of the type having a suture passing member defining a suture receiving passage therein. The cartridge may be operable to load the suture and/or the knot onto the suturing instrument at a point of use. In some embodiments, the cartridge defines a path for insertion thereto and withdrawal therefrom of the suturing instrument. The cartridge further comprises a seat for releasably holding a portion of a suture and a mechanism for transferring the suture from seat to the suturing instrument, various features of which are described herein.

A knot tying device including a sheath configured for placement over a surgical instrument. The sheath includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion is elastically reconfigurable between a straightened configuration and a hook shaped configuration. Position of the sheath on the surgical instrument is adjustable between an extended position in which the sheath extends beyond a distal tip of the surgical instrument and a retracted position in which the sheath is pulled back from the distal tip of the surgical instrument. The distal end portion is in the hook shaped configuration when the sheath is in the extended position and the distal end portion is in the straightened configuration when the sheath is in the retracted position. In exemplary embodiments, the knot tying device may include one or more magnets or one or more magnets as an integral part of a surgical instrument.

A robotic suture knot tying system includes a first robotic arm, a second robotic arm, a suturing device including a suturing end effector operatively coupled to the first robotic arm, and a suture handling device operatively coupled to the second robotic arm. The system also includes a control system operatively coupled to the first robotic arm, the second robotic arm, the suturing device, and the suture handling device and configured to control operation thereof to cooperatively perform a suture knot tying procedure on a patient.

A suture delivery system is described. The system includes an anchor and a cooperating driver, the driver facilitating a delivery of the anchor into the abdominal cavity. The system allows for the deployment of a suture internally into an abdominal wall.

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.

Various embodiments of a cartridge for loading a suture onto a suturing instrument are disclosed. In some embodiments, the cartridge is operable for loading a pre-tied knot formed from the suture onto the suturing instrument. The suturing instrument is typically of the type having a suture passing member defining a suture receiving passage therein. In some embodiments, the cartridge comprises a housing defining a chamber, and a partially pre-tied knot mounted about the housing or the chamber. The cartridge additionally provides a base coupled to the housing, the base defining a seat for releasably holding a portion of a suture to be aligned with, and transferred to, the suturing instrument. The portion of the suture may be held independently, or it may be coupled to a component such as a ferrule or shuttle.

Excess suture material may be trimmed after knot tying using a device having an elongated shaft, an elongated tubular cutter disposed over the shaft and an elongated tubular barrel disposed over the cutter. A suture loader at a distal end of the shaft that engages suture material may be opened and closed by a first actuator that causes relative motion between the shaft and the barrel. A second actuator may cause relative motion between the cutter and both of the barrel and the shaft to sever suture material engaged by the closed suture loader.

An instrument for securing a knot disposed in surgical suture is provided. The instrument includes a side-loading channel disposed along the side of a knot pusher, the side-loading channel configured to receive the suture into the knot pusher. A method of operation is disclosed.