Generally, a suturing system including apparatus and methods for reinforcing a substrate through which a thread passes. Specifically, embodiments of a thread carrier which passes through a substrate reinforcement element adjoining a substrate to reinforce the substrate at a first location and at a second location through which the thread passes.

An endoscopic tissue grasper device includes a flexible tubular member, a flexible shaft extending through the tubular member, a proximal handle for moving the shaft and tubular member relative to each other, and a distal helical coil having a sharpened end for engaging tissue. The tissue grasper is advanced through a working channel of an endoscope, engaged relative to tissue, and retracted to pull tissue into a path of a movable needle coupled at a distal end of the endoscope so that the needle can be passed through the tissue. The needle is preferably provided with a suture so that as the needle is passed through the tissue a stitch is formed.

A suture device for use in combination with a delivery system including a lumen extending through the delivery system includes a needle usable to carry a suture, a distal shuttle configured to releasably secure the needle, a sleeve disposable over the distal shuttle, the distal shuttle movable relative to the sleeve between a locked position in which the needle is locked to the distal shuttle and an unlocked position in which the needle is releasable from the distal shuttle. The suture device includes a distal assembly including an elongate tool guide movable between a deployment configuration in which the elongate tool guide is substantially parallel with the distal assembly and a working configuration in which the elongate tool guide curves away from the distal assembly.

A suture device includes a suture ring that defines an arcuate channel extending therein. A first arcuate needle passer is slidingly disposed within a first side of the arcuate channel and a second arcuate needle passer is slidingly disposed within a second side of the arcuate channel. An arcuate needle is passable between the first arcuate needle passer and the second arcuate needle passer and includes a first latching feature adapted to releasably secure the arcuate needle to the first arcuate needle passer and a second latching feature adapted to releasably secure the arcuate needle to the second arcuate needle passer.

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching through an access tube or the like. An endoscopic stitching device is provided and includes a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another. Each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.

A suturing device with built-in needle-transfer of a double-ended needle has a first jaw element with a first needle lock device for retaining and releasing a first end of the needle; a second jaw element with a second needle lock device, wherein the jaw elements are movable between an open and closed position; and a needle-transferring mechanism for alternately transferring the needle from one of the jaw elements to the other when the jaws are moved from the open to the closed position. The needle-transferring mechanism includes a first rotatable wheel connected to the first needle lock device, the first wheel having a first wheel inner portion rigidly connected to a first wheel outer portion and a second rotatable wheel connected to the second needle lock device, said second rotatable wheel comprising a second wheel inner portion rigidly connected to a second wheel outer portion.

A surgical stitching device includes a fixed jaw, a rotating jaw, and a transfer mechanism. The rotating jaw is movable in relation to the fixed jaw between a start position and a transfer position. The transfer mechanism includes a first electromagnetic coil supported on the fixed jaw and a second electromagnetic coil supported on the rotating jaw. The first and second electromagnetic coils can be independently energized to transfer the needle between the fixed jaw and the rotating jaw.

Generally, a suturing system including apparatus and methods for reinforcing a substrate through which a thread passes. Specifically, embodiments of a thread carrier which passes through a substrate reinforcement element adjoining a substrate to reinforce the substrate at a first location and at a second location through which the thread passes.

An endoscopic suturing system and method are disclosed as are devices for use with the system and method such as a suture dispenser, a cinch device, and a tissue grasper. In one embodiment the suturing system includes a cap assembly arranged at the distal end portion of an endoscope or guide member, with the cap assembly including a rotatable needle holder. The needle holder is actuated through a transmission element extending outside the endoscope or guide member. A needle capture device may be inserted through a channel of the endoscope or guide member in order to capture a needle held in the needle holder when the needle holder is rotated so that the needle punctures tissue.

A suture device may include a suture translation assembly configured to be axially translatable within a lumen of a delivery system and a distal assembly configured to be securable to the distal end of the delivery system. The suture translation assembly and the distal assembly may cooperate to enable a user to pass a needle back and forth between the two in order to endoscopically suture a defect.