Apparatus and method for suturing

Abstract

The invention generally relates to devices and methods for suturing tissue. The invention provides methods and devices for suturing by pushing two ends of a suture through tissue from a proximal side of the tissue and fastening the two ends together on a distal side of the tissue through one operation of a trigger.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-locking medical suture for suturing tissue comprising:
 a flexible body extending between a first end and a second end of the suture, the flexible body being sized to allow the first and second ends to be mated after the flexible body is drawn through the tissue being sutured, and to remain mated under tension between the first and second ends after suturing is completed;   the first end comprising an enlargement;   the second end comprising a loop defining an aperture sized to allow the enlargement to pass through it from a first side of the loop aperture to a second side of the loop aperture; and   wherein the loop is configured to deform from a first state to a second state when pulled on by tension on the flexible body between the first and second ends after the flexible body is drawn through the tissue and the enlargement passes through the aperture;   wherein the second state narrows the loop compared to the first state, and to a size that is narrower than the enlargement, preventing retraction of the enlargement from the second side of the loop aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein the loop is flexible, and the tension deforms the loop to prevent retraction of the enlargement from the second side of the loop aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein the suture comprises filamentous material, and the loop is constructed from a bend in the filamentous material. 
     
     
         4 . The suture of  claim 3 , wherein the loop comprises a respective length of the filamentous material on either side of the bend, and the respective lengths are fastened together. 
     
     
         5 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the enlargement comprises a wider axis and a narrower axis;   the loop aperture, under tension, also comprises a wider axis and a narrower axis; and   the enlargement interacts with the loop so that the tension exerted on the flexible body pulls the wider axis of the enlargement to lie substantially perpendicular to the wider axis of the aperture.   
     
     
         6 . The suture of  claim 5 , wherein the enlargement comprises a curvature on either side of a surface that contacts and curves over the loop when the tension pulls the wider axis of the enlargement to lie substantially perpendicular to the wider axis of the aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein the loop comprises filamentous material, secured by a loop holder, and tension exerted on the flexible body cinches the loop smaller through the loop holder. 
     
     
         8 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the enlargement that interacts with the loop upon approaching the first side of the loop aperture tapers from a narrower tip toward a wider base, and pushes the loop aperture wider as it passes from the first side of the loop aperture to the second side of the loop aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The self-locking medical suture of  claim 1 , provided together with a suturing device comprising:
 a shaft, wherein at least one of the self-locking suture is disposed at least partially within the shaft;   a needle disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and actuatable to:
 attach to the loop of the suture, 
 extend from the distal end of the shaft to carry the loop through tissue and along a curved path to the first end of the suture, and 
 release the loop of the suture after the enlargement has passed through the loop. 
   
     
     
         10 . A self-locking medical suture for suturing tissue comprising:
 a flexible body extending between a first end and a second end of the suture, the flexible body being sized to allow the first and second ends to be mated after the flexible body is drawn through the tissue being sutured, and to remain mated under tension after suturing is completed;   the first end comprising an enlargement;   the second end comprising a loop defining an aperture sized to allow the enlargement to pass through it from a first side of the loop aperture to a second side of the loop aperture;   wherein the aperture comprises a wider area and a narrower area, and tension exerted on the flexible body after the enlargement passes through the aperture slides the enlargement along the loop from over the wider area to over the narrower area to prevent retraction of the enlargement from the second side of the loop aperture.   
     
     
         11 . The self-locking medical suture of  claim 10 , provided together with a suturing device comprising:
 a shaft, wherein at least one of the self-locking suture is disposed at least partially within the shaft;   a needle disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and actuatable to:
 attach to the loop of the suture, 
 extend from the distal end of the shaft to carry the loop through tissue and along a curved path to the first end of the suture, and 
 release the loop of the suture after the enlargement has passed through the loop. 
   
     
     
         12 . A method of suturing comprising:
 pulling together a loop at a first end of a suture and an enlargement at a second end of the suture, including pulling the suture through tissue;   passing the enlargement from a first side of an aperture of the loop to a second side of the aperture; and   deforming the suture by tension on the suture between the first and second ends; and   releasing the enlargement, allowing the suture to pull the enlargement against the second side of the aperture and into a mated position with the loop.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the loop is flexible, and the tension deforms the loop. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the enlargement comprises a wider axis and a narrower axis;   the loop aperture comprises a wider axis and a narrower axis;   deforming the suture comprises deforming the loop aperture to narrow the narrower axis; and   comprising orienting the wider axis of the enlargement to lie substantially perpendicular to the wider axis of the aperture.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pulling includes advancing a needle to pull the loop along a curved path into contact with the enlargement. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising hooking the loop to a needle of a suturing device; wherein the needle is used to pull the first end. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising releasing the loop from the needle while the enlargement remains locked on the second side of the aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising hooking the enlargement to a needle of a suturing device; wherein the needle is used to pull the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising releasing the enlargement from the needle while the enlargement remains locked on the second side of the aperture.