Abstract
A reconfigurable suture needle includes an elongated body having a curved proximal section and a curved distal section. The curved proximal section is hollow and includes an elongated conduit extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The curved distal section includes a needle point at a distal end thereof and a hollow post projecting proximally from a proximal end thereof. A suture thread passes through the elongated conduit of the curved proximal section and has a distal end that passes through the hollow post of the curved distal section for being secured to the proximal end of the curved distal section. The elongated body has a first configuration with a higher profile in which the hollow post of the curved distal section is inserted into the elongated conduit at the distal end of the curved proximal section, and a second configuration with a lower profile in which the hollow post of the curved distal section is uncoupled from the elongated conduit at the distal end of the curved proximal section.
Claims
1. A reconfigurable suture needle comprising: an elongated body including a curved proximal section and a curved distal section; said curved proximal section being hollow and including an elongated conduit extending from a proximal end to a distal end of said curved proximal section; said curved distal section including a needle point at a distal end thereof and a hollow post projecting proximally from a proximal end thereof; a suture thread passing through the elongated conduit of said curved proximal section and having a distal end that passes through said hollow post for being secured to the proximal end of said curved distal section; wherein said elongated body has a first configuration with a higher profile in which said hollow post of said curved distal section is inserted into the elongated conduit at the distal end of said curved proximal section; wherein said elongated body has a second configuration with a lower profile in which said hollow post of said curved distal section is uncoupled from the elongated conduit at the distal end of said curved proximal section.
2. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said curved proximal section of said elongated body defines about one-quarter (%) of a circle, and wherein said curved distal section of said elongated body defines about one-quarter (%) of a circle.
3. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elongated body has a semi-circular shape when in the first configuration.
4. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 3, wherein said curved proximal and distal sections of said elongated body are tethered together by said suture thread when said elongated body is in the second configuration.
5. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow post of said curved distal section has an outer diameter that matches an inner diameter of said elongated conduit of said curved proximal section for forming a friction fit between said hollow post of said curved distal section and the elongated conduit of said curved proximal section.
6. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the friction fit between said hollow post of said curved distal section and the elongated conduit of said curved proximal section defines a joint that enables said curved proximal and distal sections to rotate relative to one another between a semi-circular shape and a wave shape.
7. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 6 wherein the wave shape defines a sine wave.
8. A method of passing said reconfigurable suture needle of claim 1 through a cannula comprising: positioning said elongated body of said reconfigurable suture needle adjacent a proximal end of said cannula, said cannula having an elongated conduit defining an inner diameter; with said elongated body in the second configuration, passing said curved proximal and distal sections of said elongated body, uncoupled from one another, through the elongated conduit of said cannula; after the passing step, removing said elongated body from said cannula and inserting said hollow post of said curved distal section into the elongated conduit of said curved proximal section to place said elongated body into the first configuration.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said elongated body in the second configuration has a height that is less than the inner diameter of said elongated conduit of said cannula, and wherein said elongated body in the first configuration has a height that is greater than the inner diameter of said elongated body.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said elongated body has a semi-circular shape when in the first configuration.
11. A reconfigurable suture needle comprising: an elongated body including a curved proximal section and a curved distal section; said curved proximal section being hollow and including an elongated conduit extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof; said curved distal section including a proximal end, a distal end, and a male post projecting proximally from the proximal end thereof; a suture thread passing through the elongated conduit of said curved proximal section and having a distal end secured to said male post of said curved distal section; said male post being inserted into the elongated conduit at the distal end of said curved proximal section for forming a friction fit between said male post and the elongated conduit of said curved proximal section.
12. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 11, wherein said male post of said curved distal section has an outer diameter and the elongated conduit at the distal end of said curved proximal section has an inner diameter that closely matches the outer diameter of said male post for forming the friction fit.
13. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the friction fit enables said curved proximal and distal sections of said elongated body to rotate relative to one another for transforming said elongated body from a higher profile configuration to a lower profile configuration.
14. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 13, wherein said curved proximal section of said elongated body defines about one-quarter (%) of a circle and said curved distal section of said elongated body defines about one-quarter (%) of a circle.
15. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 14, wherein said elongated body has a semi-circular shape when in the higher profile configuration and a wave shape when in the lower profile configuration.
16. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 15, further comprising: said male post being hollow and having an elongated conduit formed therein; a suture thread passing through the elongated conduit of said curved proximal section and having a distal end that passes through the elongated conduit of said male post for being secured to the proximal end of said curved distal section.
17. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the proximal end of said curved distal section is crimped for securing the distal end of said suture thread to said male post of said curved distal section.
18. The reconfigurable suture needle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the distal end of said curved distal section is tapered and includes a needle point.
19. A method of passing said reconfigurable suture needle of claim 15 through a cannula comprising: positioning said elongated body of said reconfigurable suture needle adjacent a proximal end of said cannula, said cannula having an elongated conduit defining an inner diameter; with said curved proximal and distal sections of said elongated body in the lower profile configuration having the wave shape, passing said elongated body through the elongated conduit of said cannula; after the passing step, removing said elongated body from said cannula and rotating said curved proximal and distal sections of said elongated body into the higher profile configuration having the semi-circular shape.
20. A reconfigurable suture needle comprising: an elongated body including a curved proximal section and a curved distal section; said curved proximal section being hollow and including an elongated conduit extending along a length of said curved proximal section from a proximal end to a distal end thereof; said curved distal section including a proximal end, a distal end, and a male post projecting proximally from the proximal end thereof; a suture thread passing through the elongated conduit of said curved proximal section and having a distal end secured to said male post of said curved distal section; wherein said elongated body has a semi-circular shape when said male post is inserted into the elongated conduit at the distal end of said curved proximal section; wherein when said male post is uncoupled from the elongated conduit at the distal end of said curved proximal section, said curved proximal section defines about one-quarter (%) of a circle, said curved distal section of said elongated body defines about one-quarter (%) of a circle, and said curved proximal and distal sections remain tethered to one another via said suture thread.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0069] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a suture needle having a joint that enables proximal and distal sections of the suture needle to rotate relative to one another, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0070] FIG. 1B shows a side view of the suture needle shown in FIG. 1A.
[0071] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the joint of the suture needle shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0072] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the suture needle shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B after the proximal and distal sections of the suture needle have been rotated relative to one another, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0073] FIG. 3B shows a side view of the suture needle shown in FIG. 3A.
[0074] FIG. 3C shows a top plan view of the suture needle shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
[0075] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a suture needle having a joint that enables proximal and distal sections of the suture needle to rotate relative to one another, the suture needle being in a semi-circular shaped configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0076] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the suture needle of FIG. 4 with the suture needle rotated into a wave-shaped configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0077] FIG. 6A shows a first stage of a method of passing a suture needle through a trocar, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0078] FIG. 6B shows a second stage of a method of passing a suture needle through a trocar, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0079] FIG. 6C shows a third stage of a method of passing a suture needle through a trocar, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0080] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a suture needle having a joint that enables proximal and distal sections of the suture needle to rotate relative to one another, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0081] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the joint of the suture needle shown in FIG. 7.
[0082] FIG. 9 shows a method of passing the suture needle of FIGS. 7 and 8 through a trocar, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0083] FIG. 10 shows a side view of a suture needle having a joint that enables proximal and distal sections of the suture needle to rotate relative to one another, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0084] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the suture needle of FIG. 10 taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 10.
[0085] FIG. 12 shows a side view of the suture needle shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 after the suture needle has been rotated into a wave-shaped configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0086] FIG. 13A shows a side view of a suture needle having a joint that enables proximal and distal sections of the suture needle to be uncoupled from one another, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0087] FIG. 13B shows a cross-sectional view of the joint shown in FIG. 13A.
[0088] FIG. 14 shows a method of passing the suture needle of FIGS. 13A and 13B through a trocar, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
[0089] FIG. 15 shows the suture needle of FIGS. 13A and 13B with the proximal and distal sections of the suture needle joined together via a joint, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0090] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment, a suture needle 100 preferably includes an elongated body 102 having an outer surface 104. In one embodiment, the elongated body 102 preferably includes a proximal end 106 with a suture mounting barrel 108 having a hole for receiving a suture thread (not shown) and a distal end 110 with a tapered region 112 having a sharpened needle point 114.
[0091] In one embodiment, the suture needle 100 preferably includes a joint 116 that divides the elongated body 102 of the suture needle into a proximal section 118 and a distal section 120. In one embodiment, the joint 116 enables the proximal and distal sections 118, 120 of the elongated body 102 to be rotated relative to one another for transforming the shape of the suture needle 100 from a higher profile (e.g., a semi-circular shape) for use as a suturing needle to a lower profile (e.g., a wave shape) for passing the suture needle through a trocar. In one embodiment, the joint 116 enables the suture needle 100 to be repeatedly transformed back and forth between the higher profile, semi-circular shaped configuration and the lower profile, wave-shaped configuration.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the joint 116 of the suture needle 100 preferably enables the opposing ends of the proximal and distal sections 118, 120 of the elongated body 102 of the suture needle 100 to be selectively rotated relative to one another about an axis designated A.sub.1 (FIGS. 1B, 2). In one embodiment, the axis A.sub.1 preferably passes through the joint 116 and the opposing ends of the proximal and distal sections 118, 120 of the elongated body 102 that are immediately adjacent to the joint 116. In one embodiment, the joint 116 may include a male projection 122 extending distally from the distal end of the first section 118 of the elongated body 102 and a female opening 124 located at a proximal end of the second section 120 of the elongated body 102. The male projection 122 of the proximal section 118 may be inserted into the female opening 124 of the distal section 120 for joining the proximal and distal sections 118, 120 together, which enables the two sections 118, 120 to be rotated relative to one another between higher profiles (e.g., a semi-circular shaped configuration) and lower profiles (e.g., a wave-shaped configuration).
[0093] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in one embodiment, the joint 116 of the suture needle 100 enables the proximal and distal sections 118, 120 of the elongated body 102 to be rotated relative to one another from the higher profile, semi-circular shaped configuration shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B to the lower profile, wave-shaped configuration shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In one embodiment, the lower profile may have a wave shape (FIGS. 3A and 3B) and the higher profile may have a semi-circular shape (FIGS. 1A and 1B). In one embodiment, the proximal section 118 of the suture needle 100 preferably includes a suture attachment hole 119 (FIG. 3A) for attaching a suture thread to a proximal end of the suture needle 100.
[0094] In one embodiment, when the elongated body 102 has been rotated into the wave-shaped configuration of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the proximal section 118 of the elongated body 102 preferably defines a proximal arc, and the distal section 120 of the elongated body 102 preferably defines a distal arc. Referring to FIG. 3C, In one embodiment, when the elongated body 102 on the suture needle 100 is in the wave-shaped configuration, the proximal section 118, the distal section 120, and the joint 116 may lie in a common plane P1 (FIG. 2B).
[0095] Providing a suture needle with sections that are rotatable relative to one another preferably enables surgical personnel to reduce the overall height, profile and/or dimension of the suture needle so that it may be passed through smaller trocars, such as 5 mm trocars, that are typically used in minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) and/or robotic surgeries.
[0096] A comparison of the height, profile and/or dimension change that may be made to the suture needle 100 (FIGS. 1A-1B and 3A-3C) having rotatable proximal and distal sections 118, 120 may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, prior to being rotated from a higher profile, semi-circular shaped configuration to a lower profile, wave-shaped configuration, the suture needle 100 desirably has a height H.sub.1 of greater than 5 mm, more preferably about 10-15 mm, and even more preferably about 13 mm. Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, after the suture needle 100 has been rotated about the joint 116 into the lower profile, wave-shaped configuration, the suture needle 100 desirably has a height H.sub.2 of about 5 mm or less, which is less than the height H.sub.1 of the suture needle 100 in the higher profile configuration shown in FIG. 4. Thus, when the suture needle 100 has the higher profile shown in FIG. 4, the suture needle may not pass through a smaller trocar (e.g., 5 mm trocar), however, when the suture needle 100 has the lower profile shown in FIG. 5, the suture needle may be readily passed through the smaller trocar.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 6A, in one embodiment, the suture needle 100 includes the joint 116 that enables the proximal section 118 and the distal section 120 on the elongated body 102 to be rotated relative to one another. In FIG. 6A, the proximal and distal sections 118, 120 are rotated about the joint 116 so that the elongated body has a semi-circular shaped configuration having a relatively higher profile height H.sub.1 of greater than 5 mm, more preferably about 10-15 mm, and even more preferably about 13 mm. The suture needle 100 desirably has a suture thread 125 secured (e.g., swage, crimped) to the barrel 108 at the proximal end 106 thereof. The suture needle 100 may be juxtaposed with a trocar 130 so that the needle point 114 on the distal section 120 of the suture needle 100 defines the leading end of the suture needle 100. The trocar 130 (e.g., a 5 mm trocar) may have an elongated conduit 132 that extends from a first opening at a proximal end 134 of the trocar to a second opening at a distal end 136 of the trocar. The elongated conduit 132 of the trocar 130 preferably has an inner diameter ID.sub.1 that is less than the height H.sub.1 of the elongated body 102 of the semi-circular shaped suture needle 100. As a result, the semi-circular shaped suture needle 100 has a profile and/or height that is too large to pass through the elongated conduit 132 of the trocar 130.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 6B, in one embodiment, the suture needle 100 shown in FIG. 6A may be rotated at the joint 116 into a wave-shaped configuration having a lower profile and/or height so that the elongated body 102 of the suture needle 100 now has a height H.sub.2 (e.g., 5 mm), which is less than the height H.sub.1 of the suture needle in the semi-circular shaped configuration (FIG. 6A) and less than the height of the inner diameter ID.sub.1 of the elongated conduit 132 of the trocar 130. As a result, in the lower profile, wave-shaped configuration of FIG. 6B, the suture needle 100 may readily pass through a first opening at the proximal end 134 of the trocar 130, be advanced distally in the direction DIR1 through the elongated conduit 132, and be removed from a second opening at the distal end 136 of the trocar, for being positioned at a surgical site inside a patient. In one embodiment, the needle point 114 of the distal section 120 of the suture needle 100 is preferably the leading end of the suture needle as the suture needle is passed through the trocar, and the proximal section 118 of the suture needle and the attached suture thread 125 trails the distal section 120. In one embodiment, the tapered distal end 112 of the suture needle 100 may be grasped by a needle driver for passing the suture needle through the elongated conduit 132 of the trocar 130. The jaws of the needle driver may surround and protect the needle point 114 as the suture needle is passed through the trocar. In one embodiment, the proximal section of the suture needle may be the leading end of the suture needle as it is passed through a trocar, with the distal end of the suture needle trailing the proximal end.
[0099] Referring to FIG. 6C, in one embodiment, after the wave-shaped suture needle 100 shown in FIG. 6B has been removed from the second opening at the distal end 136 of the trocar 130, a surgeon may transform and/or reshape the suture needle 100 from the wave-shaped configuration (FIG. 6B) back to the original, semi-circular shaped configuration having the height H.sub.1 (FIG. 6A). The suture needle 100 in the higher profile, semi-circular shaped configuration may be utilized for suturing tissue. At that end of a suturing operation, a surgeon may once again rotate the proximal and distal sections 118, 120 of the elongated body 102 about the joint 116 of the suture needle 100 so that the suture needle is returned to the lower profile, wave-shaped configuration (FIG. 6B) for being withdrawn in the direction DIR2 through the elongated conduit 132 of the smaller diameter trocar 130. In one embodiment, the needle driver may clamp onto the needle point 114 of the suture needle, the elongated body 102 of the suture needle, the suture attachment barrel 108, or the suture thread 125 attached to the proximal end of the elongated body of the suture needle for extracting and/or pulling the suture needle through the trocar 130 to remove the suture needle from the surgical cavity.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, a suture needle 200 having proximal and distal sections 218, 220 that are rotatable relative to one another about a joint 216 for changing the height, profile and/or configuration of the suture needle 200 preferably includes an elongated body 202 having an outer surface 204. In one embodiment, the elongated body 202 extends from a proximal end 206 having a suture attachment barrel 208 that defines a proximal-most end of the suture needle to a distal end 210 having a tapered region 212 with a sharpened needle point 214 that defines a distal-most end of the suture needle 200. In one embodiment, the suture needle 200 preferably includes the joint 216 that divides the elongated body 202 into the proximal section 218 and the distal section 220. Each of the proximal and distal sections 218, 220 may have respective arc shapes. In one embodiment, the joint 216 is preferably located approximately midway along the length of the elongated body 202 of the suture needle 200 between the proximal end 208 and the distal end 210 of the elongated body 202. A suture thread 225 may be secured to the barrel 208 of the elongated body 202 of the suture needle 200.
[0101] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in one embodiment, the joint 216 of the suture needle 200 is preferably located between a distal end of the proximal section 218 of the elongated body 202 and a proximal end of the distal section 220 of the elongated body 202 for enabling the proximal and distal sections 218, 220 of the elongated body 202 to rotate relative to one another. Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the joint 216 may include a connector 240 having a first post 242 that extends proximally from the connector 240 and a second post 244 that extends distally from the connector 240. The distal end of the proximal section 218 desirably includes a first female opening 246 that receives the first post 242 of the joint 216 and the proximal end of the distal section 220 preferably includes a second female opening 248 that receives the second post 244 of the joint 216. The joint 216 preferably holds the proximal and distal sections 218, 220 of the elongated body 202 together while enabling the proximal and distal sections to rotate relative to one another for changing the height, profile and/or shape of the suture needle 200.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the joint 216 of the suture needle 200 preferably enables the opposing ends of the proximal and distal sections 218, 220 of the elongated body 202 of the suture needle 200 to be selectively rotated relative to one another about an axis designated A.sub.2. In one embodiment, the axis A.sub.2 preferably passes through the connector 240 and the first and second posts 242, 244 of the joint 216, as well as the opposing ends of the proximal and distal sections 218, 220 of the elongated body 202 that are immediately adjacent to the joint 216.
[0103] In one embodiment, the suture needle 200 shown and described above in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be transformed from a higher profile (e.g., a semi-circular shaped configuration) to a lower profile (e.g., a wave shaped configuration). Referring to FIG. 9, in one embodiment, the proximal and distal sections 218, 220 of the elongated body 202 of the suture needle 200 may be rotated about the joint 216 to reconfigure the suture needle into a wave-shaped configuration. In the wave-shaped configuration of FIG. 9, the suture needle 200 preferably has a lower profile and/or smaller height H.sub.2 than when the suture needle 200 is in the semi-circular configuration having a height H.sub.1 (FIG. 7) that is greater than the smaller height H.sub.2. The proximal and distal sections 218, 220 of the suture needle 200 preferably maintain their respective arc shapes in both the semi-circular shaped configuration (FIG. 7) and the wave-shaped configuration (FIG. 9). In the wave-shaped configuration, the suture needle has a lower profile, which reduces the height of the needle so that it may be passed through a smaller trocar 230 (e.g., a 5 mm trocar) in the distal direction DIR1 (FIG. 9).
[0104] Referring to FIG. 10, in one embodiment, a suture needle 300 preferably includes an elongated body 302 having an outer surface 304. In one embodiment, the elongated body 302 preferably includes a proximal end 306 with a suture mounting barrel 308 having a hole for receiving a suture (not shown) and a distal end 310 with a tapered region 312 having a sharpened needle point 314.
[0105] In one embodiment, the suture needle 300 preferably includes a joint 316 that divides the elongated body 302 of the suture needle into a proximal section 318 and a distal section 320. In one embodiment, the proximal and distal sections 318, 320 have respective arc shapes. In one embodiment, the joint 116 couples the proximal and distal sections 318, 320 together and preferably enables the proximal and distal sections 118, 120 to rotate relative to one another for transforming the shape of the suture needle 100 from a semi-circular shapes configuration (FIG. 10) having a higher profile to a wave-shaped configuration (FIG. 12) having a lower profile for passing the suture needle 300 through a small trocar (e.g., a 5 mm trocar).
[0106] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in one embodiment, the joint 316 may include a male post 322 that projects distally from the distal end of the proximal section 318 of the elongated body 302 and a female opening 324 formed at the proximal end of the distal section 320 of the elongated body 302. In one embodiment, the male post 322 preferably has an oval-shaped cross-section having a longitudinal axis A.sub.3, and the female opening 324 desirably has an oval-shaped cross-section having a longitudinal axis A.sub.4. The male post 322 may be inserted into the female opening 324 for joining the proximal and distal sections together. The free end of the male post 322 may be swaged for maintaining a rotatable connection between the proximal and distal sections 318, 320 of the elongated body 302 of the suture needle 300.
[0107] In one embodiment, the proximal and distal sections 318, 320 of the suture needle 300 may be rotated relative to one another to place the sections into the semi-circular shaped configuration shown in FIG. 10. In the semi-circular shaped configuration, the longitudinal axis A.sub.3 of the oval-shaped cross section of the male post 322 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.sub.4 of the oval-shaped cross section of the female opening 324, which preferably generates a friction lock formed between the proximal and distal sections 318, 320 of the suture needle 300 for holding the suture needle in the semi-circular shaped configuration.
[0108] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in one embodiment, the proximal and distal sections 318, 320 of the suture needle 300 may be rotated relative to one another about the joint 316 so that the longitudinal axis A.sub.3 of the oval-shaped cross section of the male post 322 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A.sub.4 of the oval-shaped cross section of the female opening 324, which eliminates the friction lock and positions the proximal and distal sections 318, 320 of the elongated body 302 of the suture needle 300 into the wave-shaped configuration shown in FIG. 12.
[0109] Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, in one embodiment, a suture needle 400 preferably includes an elongated body 402 having a joint 416 located between a proximal section 418 and a distal section 420 of the elongated body. In one embodiment, the joint 416 desirably enables the proximal and distal sections 418, 420 on the elongated body 402 to be uncoupled from one another for lowering the profile of the suture needle 400 so that it may be passed through a trocar. In one embodiment, after the suture needle 400 has been passed through a trocar, the joint 416 enables the proximal and distal sections 418, 420 of the elongated body 402 to be re-coupled together to form a higher profile structure (e.g., a semi-circular shaped suture needle) for use as a suturing needle.
[0110] In one embodiment, the proximal section 418 of the suture needle 400 preferably defines a curved, hollow tube having an elongated conduit 450 that extends from a proximal end 452 to a distal end 454 thereof.
[0111] In one embodiment, the distal section 420 of the suture needle 400 preferably has a proximal end 456 and a distal end 458. In one embodiment, the distal end 458 of the distal section 420 of the suture needle preferably includes a tapered distal end 412 that terminates at a needle point 414, which preferably defines a distal-most end of the suture needle 400. In one embodiment, the proximal end 456 of the distal section 420 preferably includes a male post 422 that projects from the proximal end 456. The male post 422 preferably defines an elongated conduit 460 (FIG. 13B) that is adapted to receive a distal end 427 of a suture thread 425. After passing through the elongated conduit 460, a distal end 427 of the suture thread 425 may be secured to the proximal end 456 of the distal section 420 of the suture needle 400, such as by swaging or crimping the proximal end 456 of the distal section 420 of the elongated body 402 of the suture needle 400.
[0112] Referring to FIG. 13B, in one embodiment, the distal-most end 427 of the suture thread is preferably secured to the proximal end 456 of the distal section 420 of the suture needle 400. The suture thread 425 preferably passes through the elongated conduit 460 of the male post 422 and the hollow tube of the proximal section 418 of the suture needle 400 for extending out of an opening at the proximal end 452 of the hollow tube of the proximal section 418. The male post 422 may be inserted into the opening at the distal end 454 of the proximal section 418 for forming a friction fit between the proximal and distal sections 418, 420 of the suture needle 400. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the male post 422 preferably closely matches the inner diameter of the elongated conduit 450 of the hollow tube of the proximal section 418 of the elongated body 402 of the suture needle 400, which enables the formation of a friction fit between the proximal and distal sections 418, 420 of the elongated body 402 of the suture needle 400. In one embodiment, the preferably enables the proximal and distal sections 418, 420 of the suture needle 400 to rotate relative to one another for transforming the suture needle from a higher profile, semi-circular shaped configuration (e.g., FIG. 1A) to a lower profile, wave-shaped configuration (e.g., FIG. 3A).
[0113] Referring to FIG. 14, in one embodiment, the male post 422 of the distal section 420 may be uncoupled from the female opening at the distal end 454 of the proximal section 418 so that the proximal and distal sections 418, 420 are detached from one another. The proximal and distal sections 418, 420 remain tethered to one another via the suture thread 425 that has a distal-most end secured to the proximal end 456 of the distal section 420 and a proximal section that passes through the curved hollow tube of the proximal section 418.
[0114] When the proximal and distal sections 418, 420 are uncoupled, each of the individual sections define a respective arc-shaped structure having a height H.sub.2 that is less than the inner diameter ID.sub.1 of the conduit 432 of the trocar 430. In one embodiment, the uncoupled proximal and distal sections 418, 420 of the suture needle may be passed through the elongated conduit 432 of the trocar 430 for being positioned at a surgical site.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 15, in one embodiment, after the uncoupled proximal and distal sections 418, 420 of the elongated body 402 of the suture needle 400 have been delivered through the trocar to a surgical site, the proximal and distal sections 418, 420 may be joined together via the joint 416 for providing a suture needle 400 having a higher profile, semi-circular shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the distal end of a suture thread 425 is secured to the male post 422 located at the proximal end of the distal section 420. The suture thread 425 preferably passes through the hollow channel of the proximal section 418. At the end of a surgical procedure, the proximal and distal sections 418, 420 may be uncoupled from one another (e.g., as shown in FIG. 14) for removing the suture needle from the surgical site and withdrawing the suture needle from the proximal end 434 of the trocar 430 (FIG. 14).
[0116] Providing a suture needle with proximal and distal sections that are rotatable or reconfigurable relative to one another preferably enables surgical personnel to selectively reduce the overall height, profile and/or dimension of the suture needle so that it may be passed through smaller trocars (e.g., 5 mm trocars) that are typically used in minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) and/or robotic surgeries.
[0117] In the lower profile configuration disclosed herein, the suture needle may be passed through a trocar to a surgical site. Once the suture needle has reached the surgical site, a surgeon may transform the suture needle to a higher profile, semi-circular shaped configuration for use during a suturing procedure. Once the suturing procedure has been completed at the surgical site, a surgeon may once again transform the suture needle back to the lower profile configuration (e.g., the wave-shaped configuration) for reducing the profile of the needle to remove the suture needle from the surgical site via a trocar.
[0118] In one embodiment, the suture needles disclosed herein may incorporate one or more of the features and/or embodiments disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/282,604, filed Feb. 22, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In one embodiment, the above-reference '604 patent application discloses a suture needle including an elongated body having a proximal section, a distal section, and a bendable region located between the proximal and distal sections. The bendable region has a reduced cross-section and/or is made of a superelastic material that is more flexible than the proximal and distal sections of the elongated body for enabling the suture needle to transform from a first configuration having a larger dimension to a second configuration having a smaller dimension. When in the first configuration, the suture needle is larger than an inner diameter of an elongated conduit of a trocar. In order to pass the suture needle through the elongated conduit of the trocar, the elongated body is bent at the bendable region so that the suture needle is smaller than the inner diameter of the elongated conduit of the trocar. After passing the suture needle through the trocar, the elongated body is bent back to the first, larger dimension to configure the suture needle for use for suturing tissue.
[0119] In one embodiment, the suture needles disclosed herein may incorporate one or more of the features and/or embodiments disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/282,652, filed Feb. 22, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In one embodiment, the '652 patent application discloses a method of making a suture needle having a bendable region. The method includes obtaining a suture needle made of a martensitic alloy having an austenitic transition temperature. In one embodiment, the suture needle has a proximal section, a distal section with a sharpened tip, and a bendable region located between the proximal and distal sections. The method includes heating the suture needle to a first temperature that is greater than the austenitic transition temperature of the martensitic alloy and quenching the suture needle to room temperature to harden the martensitic alloy. After heating and quenching, the bendable region of the suture needle is heated locally to a second temperature that is above 800 degrees Celsius, but below the austenitic transition temperature of the martensitic alloy so that the bendable region is softened and made more flexible relative to the proximal and distal sections of the suture needle. The local heating of the bendable region is by electrical resistance heating, laser heating, induction heating, flame heating, or hot gas heating. The suture needle is preferably tempered to improve ductility.
[0120] In one embodiment, the suture needles disclosed herein may incorporate one or more of the features and/or embodiments disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/809,016, filed Feb. 22, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In one embodiment, the '016 provisional application discloses an elastic suture needle that may be passed through a smaller trocar for use in minimally invasive surgery. In one embodiment, the suture needle preferably includes an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, a length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a top surface extending along the length of the elongated body, and a bottom surface extending along the length of the elongated body. The elongated body has dimensions that are calculated using the equation T/L.sub.N<(4*σ)/(πE), where T is the thickness of the elongated body, L.sub.N is the length of the elongated body, a is the yield strength of the elongated body, and E is the Young's modulus of the elongated body. The elongated body is preferably made of stainless steels such as martensitic stainless steels, austenitic stainless steels, martensitic-aged (mar-aged) stainless steels, and stainless steels sold under the registered trademark ETHALLOY®.
[0121] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which is only limited by the scope of the claims that follow. For example, the present invention contemplates that any of the features shown in any of the embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, may be incorporated with any of the features shown in any of the other embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, and still fall within the scope of the present invention.
