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 drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.

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.

A surgical stitching device is configured for single hand operation that enables passage of a suture needle through tissue with minimal operational requirement. The surgical needle is selectively securable to a tool assembly of the surgical stitching device. The tool assembly includes a jaw configured to securely support various surgical needles in various orientations.

A suturing device for minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The suturing device has a head defining one or more ferrule holders and a tissue bite area. The device also has a first needle comprising a flywheel portion and one or more curved arms extending from the flywheel portion, each of the one or more curved arms comprising a ferrule engaging tip, wherein the first needle is pivotably coupled to the head. The suturing device further has a first actuator coupled to the first needle and configured to rotate it from a retracted position, where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms starts away from the one or more ferrule holders, through the tissue bite area, and to an engaged position where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms is operationally aligned with the one or more ferrule holders.

A suture needle system includes a first needle and at least one second needle. Each of the first and second needles preferably has a common needle body construct. The first needle includes an elongate suture having a length sufficient to extend at least the length of an instrument channel of an endoscope. The second needle includes an opening formed by a loop of suture at which the second needle can be advanced over the elongate suture. In use, the first needle is secured to a first tissue location using an endoscopic suturing system. A second needle is advanced at its opening over the elongate suture and secured to a second tissue location. Additional second needles may be advanced over the elongate suture to respective tissue locations. The elongate suture is pulled taut, drawing the second needles into proximity, and secured.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for guiding a needle to facilitate suturing, such as in surgical anastomosis. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame configured to counter-rotatably support two generally parallel rollers. A first roller supported by the frame has a flat surface configured to rollably engage a first face of a shaft of a helically-shaped needle. A second roller supported by the frame has a grooved surface defining a helical groove is configured to at least partially receive a second face of the shaft. The second roller further defines a correcting recess bounded by lateral surfaces at a forward end of the groove that tapers to a width of the groove at the forward end. When the leading end is received into the correcting recess, at least one of the lateral surfaces engages and guides the leading end into the forward end of the groove.

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 suturing device includes an elongated body having an outer wall defining an interior space of the body, a shaft located in the interior space, and a needle mounted on a distal end of the shaft. The needle has a distal section transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The distal section of the needle terminates in a first jaw and a second jaw forming a forceps defining a piercing tip. The first jaw and second jaw have a grasping position wherein the first jaw and second jaw grasp a suturing material, and a release position wherein the first jaw and second jaw release the suturing material. After grasping the suturing material with the needle, the shaft rotates the needle to advance the needle and suturing material through tissue and mesh placed on the tissue. Spaced apart portions of the suturing material are then fused to create a suture.

A prosthetic suturing device is disclosed. The prosthetic suturing device has a guide tip defining a cuff receiving area. The device also has a guide tip having at least one needle guide configured to guide at least one needle through the cuff receiving area. Another prosthetic suturing device is disclosed. The prosthetic suturing device has a guide tip defining a cuff receiving area and comprising first and second apertures for receiving a suture adapter. The prosthetic suturing device also has first and second needles, each needle having an end configured to engage a suture adapter. The prosthetic suturing device further has at least one set of needle guides configured to guide the first and second needles through the cuff receiving area. The prosthetic suturing device also has a grip pointing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the cuff receiving area.

An Achilles tendon repair that provides a minimally invasive surgical procedure that requires at least two medical devices comprising: at least one fascial elevator separator and at least one suture passer elevator separator with a paddle guide that assist with repair of Achilles tendons wherein a fascial elevator separator paddle guide that has a U-shaped portion at a distal end provides separation of a Paratenon from an Achilles tendon and also provides a surgical plane along a designated length of the Achilles tendon that eliminates a possibility of damage to either the Sural Nerve or Saphenous Vein. The suture passer elevator separator also provides for precise placement of multiple locking sutures along the medial and lateral free edge if the Achilles tendon which allows even tensioning of the surgical repair.