Anchored suture line, device and method for surgical suturing

Abstract

Anchored suture line (ASL), comprising a suture thread upon which is located a plurality of anchor structures permanently attached to said suture thread at predetermined intervals, may be advantageously employed for surgical suturing procedures. An ASL suturing device may be employed to sequentially implant the anchors, still tethered to the suture line. As they are implanted, the anchors expand thereby becoming secured in the tissue. The process may be repeated without cutting the suture line until the wound is sealed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for performing interrupted or continuous surgical suturing comprising the steps of:
 a.) obtaining an anchored suture line suturing device preloaded with anchored suture line,
 wherein said anchored suture line (ASL) suturing device comprises an injector tip and said anchored suture line is formed of a first bio-compatible suture thread upon which is located at least three anchor structures permanently attached to said suture thread at predetermined intervals, said anchor structures comprised of a second bio-compatible material, distinct from said first bio-compatible suture thread material, that can be caused to transition from a compressed state to an expanded state after implantation in biological tissue; 
   b.) puncturing said injector tip of said ASL suturing device into said biological tissue at a first location;   c.) injecting a first anchor structure into said biological tissue, from said ASL suturing device, through said injector tip;   d.) causing said first anchor structure to expand and remain anchored at said first location;   e.) withdrawing said injector tip from said biological tissue from said first location;   f.) puncturing said injector tip into said biological tissue at a second location, said second location laterally displaced from said first location;   g.) injecting a second anchor structure from said ASL suturing device through said injector tip, wherein said second anchor structure remains attached to said first anchor structure by said suture line;   h.) causing said second anchor structure to expand and remain anchored at said second location;   i.) withdrawing said injector tip from said biological tissue from said second location;   j.) repeating steps f.) through i.) as many times as necessary to close a wound; and   k.) cutting excess said anchored suture line.   
     
     
         2 . The method for performing interrupted or continuous surgical suturing, in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising:
 stretching said suture line that connects said first and second anchor structures when said second anchor structure is injected into said biological tissue at said second location. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method for performing interrupted or continuous surgical suturing, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said causing said anchor structure to expand is effected by bringing said first and second anchor structures into contact with a bodily fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method for performing interrupted or continuous surgical suturing, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said causing said anchor structure to expand is effected by reorienting asymmetrical first and second anchor structures. 
     
     
         5 . The method for performing interrupted or continuous surgical suturing, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said injecting step comprises displacing each of said first and second anchor structures through said hollow needle injector tip with a cylindrical anchor drive piston. 
     
     
         6 . A suturing apparatus, configured to permit a healthcare provider, using a single hand, to perform interrupted or continuous suturing, comprising:
 an anchored suture line formed of a first bio-compatible suture thread upon which is located at least three anchor structures permanently attached to said first bio-compatible suture thread at predetermined intervals;
 said anchor structures comprised of a second bio-compatible material, distinct from said first bio-compatible suture thread, that can be caused to transition from a compressed state to an expanded state after implantation in biological tissue; and 
   a suturing device comprising:
 a device body with a substantially cylindrical shape with distal and proximal faces, said device body defining a hollow cylindrical cavity about an axis of said substantially cylindrical shape, said hollow cylindrical cavity has a cavity diameter and penetrates said distal face; 
 an injector tip, mounted on said distal face coaxially with said axis, said injector tip comprising a hollow needle injector having a bore diameter substantially equal to said cavity diameter; 
 a cylindrical anchor drive piston, coaxially located within said hollow cylindrical cavity, the diameter of said cylindrical anchor drive piston selected to allow axial displacement through said hollow cylindrical cavity and said bore of hollow needle; and 
 an anchor feed mechanism connected to said hollow cylindrical cavity. 
   
     
     
         7 . The suturing apparatus, in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein:
 said cylindrical anchor drive piston is hollow and defines a coaxial piston cavity;   said anchor feed mechanism comprises said coaxial piston cavity and a distal face of said cylindrical anchor drive piston; and   said anchored suture line preloaded within said coaxial piston cavity.   
     
     
         8 . The suturing apparatus, in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein a wall of said cylindrical anchor drive piston forms a solid portion of said distal face having an area of less than 10% of the total area of the distal face. 
     
     
         9 . The suturing apparatus, in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein a wall of said cylindrical anchor drive piston forms a solid portion of said distal face having an area of 10% or greater but less than 90% of the total area of the distal face. 
     
     
         10 . The suturing apparatus, in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein a wall of said cylindrical anchor drive piston forms a solid portion of said distal face having an area of 90% or more of the total area of the distal face. 
     
     
         11 . The suturing apparatus, in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein:
 a face of said cylindrical anchor drive piston is solid;   said device body further incorporates suture feed mechanism.   
     
     
         12 . The suturing apparatus, in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said suture feed mechanism comprises:
 a suture feed tunnel having a circular cross-section and intersecting said cylindrical cavity at a location proximal to the injector tip, the diameter of said suture feed tunnel is approximately equal to said diameter of said cylindrical cavity; and   said anchored suture line is preloaded within said suture feed tunnel.