Suture welding device

Abstract

Devices for welding suture segments in lieu of tying knots in sutures applied during endoscopic surgery. The devices provide for snaring loose suture ends and drawing the suture ends into a space between heating surfaces, and provide for closing the heating surfaces

1 . A device for securing a plurality of segments of suture together, said device comprising: 
 an insertion rod having a distal and a proximal end, said distal end adapted to be inserted into an endoscopic work space;    a first means for grasping the suture, said first means being capable of snaring loose suture ends within an endoscopic work space, said first means for grasping suture being slidably disposed within the insertion rod and being operable from the proximal end of the insertion rod to grasp at least one segment of suture;    a second means for grasping the suture, said second means being disposed near the distal end of the insertion rod, said second means for grasping including means for heating the suture.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the second means for grasping comprises: 
 a pair of grasping jaws disposed on the distal tip of the insertion rod, said jaws being operable from the proximal end of the insertion rod to open and close upon a segment of suture.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the means for heating the suture comprises a heating element disposed on at least one of the grasping jaws.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  further comprising a snare rod slidably disposed within the insertion rod and operatively connected to the first means for grasping the suture, wherein the snare rod is operable from the proximal end of the insertion rod.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the first means for grasping the suture comprises two arcuate branches, with each branch extending distally from the snare rod to curve first outwardly from the long axis of the snare rod and then inwardly towards the long axis of the snare rod such that each branch is joined together at their distal tips.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the first means for grasping the suture comprises: 
 a first arcuate branch extending distally from the snare rod; and    a second arcuate branch extending proximally from the distal end of the first arcuate branch, said second arcuate branch extending only partially towards the snare rod.    
   
   
       7 . A device for securing a plurality of segments of suture together, said device comprising: 
 a barrel having a distal and a proximal end;    a first means for grasping the suture, said first means being capable of snaring loose suture ends, said first means for grasping suture being slidably disposed within the barrel and being operable from the proximal end of the barrel to grasp at least one segment of suture;    a second means for grasping the suture, said second means being disposed near the distal end of the barrel, said second means including means for heating the suture.    
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the second means for grasping comprises: 
 a pair of grasping jaws disposed on the distal tip of the barrel, said jaws being operable from the proximal end of the barrel to open and close upon a segment of suture.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the means for heating the suture comprises a heating element disposed on at least one of the grasping jaws.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the first means for grasping the suture is operatively attached to a snare rod, wherein the snare rod is slidably disposed within the barrel and the snare rod is operable from the proximal end of the barrel.