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.

An elongate shaft assembly for use with a stitching device includes a hub assembly and an end effector. The hub assembly includes insertion and engaging portions. The insertion portion includes a main rod, a rotatable hub operatively coupled with the main rod such that axial displacement of the main rod rotates the rotatable hub, and first and second arms operatively coupled with the rotatable hub such that rotation of the rotatable hub causes reciprocating axial displacement of the first and second arms. The engaging portion is movable relative to the insertion portion between a reload position in which the rotatable hub is in a distal-most position and rotatable independent of axial displacement of the main rod, and a loaded position in which axial displacement of the main rod rotates the rotatable hub.

This disclosure enables various threading devices (e.g., suturing devices) that can sequentially send a plurality of carriers (e.g., needle caps, sleeves) to an object (e.g., animate, inanimate, human tissue, organ tissue, heart tissue) or sequentially receive a plurality of carriers (e.g., needle caps, sleeves) from an object (e.g., animate, inanimate, human tissue, organ tissue, heart tissue). For example, some threading devices can sequentially send some carriers in a relatively rapid succession or some threading devices can sequentially receive some carriers in a relatively rapid succession.

Disclosed is a suturing device comprising a lower jaw rigidly attached to an elongated suturing device body, an upper jaw mobile with respect to the lower jaw, and an activation mechanism for actuating movement of the upper jaw, wherein each jaw comprises at least two apertures or channels within the lower jaw configured and dimensioned to allow a suture thread to pass through. Also disclosed is a suturing device comprising an elongated drive shaft, a handle assembly comprising a tubular handle body, at least one movable element connected to the drive shaft, and an activation mechanism comprising an rotatable activation knob for actuating movement of the at least one movable element. A suturing device combining the above-described jaw elements and activation mechanism is additionally provided. Further, kits comprising disclosed devices and surgical methods utilizing the same are also provided.

The invention provides a suture device, a treatment device with the suture device and a treatment system. The treatment system includes an endoscope and the treatment system. The treatment system is used in cooperation with the endoscope and includes an operating handle and the suture device. The suture device comprises a main shell, a suture needle, a needle feeding assembly and a needle anti-backoff assembly. One end of the suture needle is connected to a suture line, and the other end is a tip. The needle feeding assembly is arranged on the main shell and forms a separable engagement relationship with the suture needle so as to control advancing of the suture needle. The needle anti-backoff assembly is arranged on the main shell and forms a separable engagement relationship with the suture needle so as to prevent the withdrawal of the suture needle.

A suturing device is provided, including a needle and a shuttle. The needle has an elongated shape extending in a predetermined direction and is configured to hold a first thread-like member. The needle is reciprocally movable forward and backward in the predetermined direction and is rotatable about an axis extending in the predetermined direction. Rotation of the needle about the axis permitting the first thread-like member to cross the needle to form a loop in the first thread-like member. The shuttle includes a holding portion. The holding portion is configured to hold a second thread-like member. The shuttle is configured to permit the holding portion to pass through the loop.

A minimally invasive suturing device is disclosed. The minimally invasive suturing device has a shaft and a distal tip. The minimally invasive suturing device also has a flexible span coupling the distal tip to the shaft. The flexible span has an angling link, a plurality of bending links, and an end link.

A cassette is disclosed for use in a prosthetic suturing device. The cassette has a base. The base has a pair of pivots, a pair of alignment tabs, and at least one retention latch. The cassette also has a cover coupled to the base. The cover has at least one retention latch. The cover also defines one or more ferrule holders. The cassette further has one or more needles guided by the base and the cover. A surgical suturing device is also disclosed for use with a cassette. The suturing device has a cassette receiver and one or more needle drivers, each needle driver having a needle receiver positioned within the cassette receiver.

A surgical clip applier is disclosed which is configured to automatically feed a clip from a clip cartridge once the surgical clip applier is positioned in the patient.

Devices and methods of endolumenal formation of gastric sleeves are described. Some embodiments allow templating of a gastric sleeve by a gastric bougie, exposing a selected amount of tissue for suturing access, while maintaining sufficient internal working space for suturing within the template lumen.