Suturing devices and methods for suturing an anatomic valve

Abstract

Suturing apparatuses configured to suture biological tissue, such as an anatomical valve. The suturing apparatuses can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. A protective member may be used to inhibit contact between a distal end of a needle and surrounding tissue. Methods for suturing bodily tissue such as an anatomical valve may be performed with the suturing apparatuses. The suturing apparatuses may be used to suture adjacent valve leaflets or the base of a valve in order to treat or repair the valve.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A suturing device, comprising:
 an elongate member comprising a proximal end and a distal end;   a single arm connected at a connection end of the arm with the elongate member near the distal end of the elongate member for movement between a retracted position and an extended position, the arm comprising a first suture mount and a second suture mount located near a free end of the arm that is opposite the connection end, the first suture mount configured to releasably retain a first suture portion and the second suture mount configured to releasably retain a second suture portion;   a first needle configured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position to retrieve the first suture potion retained in the first suture mount when the first needle is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position and returned to the retracted position; and   a second needle configured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position to retrieve the second suture potion retained in the second suture mount when the second needle is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position and returned to the retracted position.   
     
     
         3 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the arm in the extended position extends generally orthogonally from a longitudinal axis of the elongate body. 
     
     
         4 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the free end of the arm extends outwardly and distally when the arm moves from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     
     
         5 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and/or second needles are located proximally of the arm. 
     
     
         6 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and/or second needles move distally from the retracted position to the deployed position. 
     
     
         7 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the free end of the arm extends outwardly and proximally when the arm moves from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     
     
         8 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and/or second needles are located distally of the arm. 
     
     
         9 . The suturing device of any of  claim 2 , wherein the first and/or second needles move proximally from the retracted position to the deployed position. 
     
     
         10 . The suturing device of any of  claim 2 , wherein the arm in the extended position forms an angle of less than 90° with a longitudinal axis of the elongate body. 
     
     
         11 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second suture mounts are separated by a distance. 
     
     
         12 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second needles are configured to be deployed simultaneously. 
     
     
         13 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second needles are configured to be deployed sequentially. 
     
     
         14 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the first suture portion and second suture portion are separate sutures. 
     
     
         15 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , further comprising a first protective member and a second protective member, wherein the first protective member is configured to inhibit contact between a distal end of the first needle and surrounding tissue during at least a portion of the movement of the first needle from its retracted position toward its deployed position and the second protective member is configured to inhibit contact between a distal end of the second needle and surrounding tissue during at least a portion of the movement of the second needle from its retracted position toward its deployed position. 
     
     
         16 . The suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the arm is moved between the retracted and extended position by rotation around the connection end of the arm that is pivotally coupled to the elongate body.