Method of suturing a trocar path incision

Abstract

A method of suturing a trocar path incision in a tissue of a patient with an obturator includes inserting the obturator through the tissue such that a shaft of the obturator extends through a tissue opening about the trocar path incision and a distal tip of the obturator is positioned within a cavity of the patient. The method also includes directing the suture via a suturing feature with the obturator inserted through the tissue in order to direct the suture relative to the tissue. Furthermore, the method includes closing the tissue opening about the trocar path incision with the suture.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) an elongate member extending along a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the elongate member includes a channel that is recessed on an exterior surface of the elongate member and extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the channel is configured to slidably receive a needle therethrough;   (b) a capturing feature moveably coupled to the distal portion of the elongate member, wherein the capturing feature is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the capturing feature extends parallel to the longitudinal axis in the first position and non-parallel relative to the longitudinal axis in the second position, wherein in the first position the capturing feature is configured to capture a portion of a suture and in the second position the capturing feature is configured to release or receive a portion of the suture; and   (c) an actuator configured to transition the capturing feature from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the capturing feature includes an opening sized to receive a portion of a suture, wherein the opening is configured to align with the channel in the second position. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the channel includes a first channel, wherein the elongate member further includes a second channel that extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis from the proximal portion to the distal portion, wherein the second channel is configured to slidably receive a second needle therethrough. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the first channel is disposed on a first side of the elongate member and the second channel is disposed on a second side of the elongate member opposite the first side. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the capturing feature includes a first capturing member configured to capture a first portion of a suture and a second capturing member configured to capture a second portion of the suture. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second capturing members are diametrically opposed from one another about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the actuator is operatively connected to the capturing feature by an elongate driver. 
     
     
         28 . An assembly comprising:
 (a) the apparatus of  claim 21 ; and   (b) a suture, wherein the suture includes a directional feature configured to allow the suture to pass through tissue in a first direction and prohibit the suture from passing through tissue in a second direction opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         29 . The assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the directional feature includes a barb extending longitudinally and radially outwards relative to a longitudinal axis of the suture. 
     
     
         30 . The assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the suture includes a plurality of directional features having one or more first directional features and one or more second directional features, wherein the first directional features are configured to allow the suture to pass through tissue in a first direction and prohibit the suture from passing through tissue in a second direction, wherein the second directional features are configured to allow the suture to pass through tissue in the second direction and prohibit the suture from passing through tissue in the first direction. 
     
     
         31 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the suture includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first directional features are positioned proximate to the first end and the second directional features are positioned proximate to the second end. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the actuator includes a proximal actuator portion and a distal actuator portion, wherein the distal actuator portion is operatively attached to the capturing feature. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the actuator includes a loop positioned on the proximal actuator portion, wherein the loop is configured to be gripped by a user. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the capturing feature includes a curvilinear surface on a first side and a planar surface on a second side, wherein the curvilinear surface faces proximally and the planar surface faces distally when the capturing feature is in the second position. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the elongate member includes a cannula extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein a portion of the actuator is positioned within the cannula. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the proximal portion of the elongate member includes a flared portion and a rim, wherein the channel passes through the rim and is recessed along the exterior surface of the flared portion. 
     
     
         37 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) an elongate member extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion along a longitudinal axis, wherein the elongate member includes a pair of suture paths that extend obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the suture paths are positioned along an exterior surface of the elongate member and each suture path is configured to slidably receive a needle;   (b) a catch arm moveably coupled to the distal portion of the elongate member, wherein the catch arm is movable between a retracted position in which the catch arm extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, and an extended position in which the catch arm extends non-parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein in the retracted position the catch arm is configured to capture a portion of a suture and in the extended position the catch arm is configured to release or receive a portion of the suture; and   (c) an actuator configured to transition the catch arm from the retracted position to the extended position.   
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the capture arm further includes an aperture, wherein the aperture is positioned in alignment with one of the suture paths when the capture arm is in the extended position. 
     
     
         39 . An assembly, comprising:
 (a) the apparatus of  claim 37 ; and   (b) a suture having a first plurality of directional features and a second plurality of directional features, wherein each of the first plurality of directional features tapers in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of the suture and each of the second plurality of directional features tapers in a second direction opposite the first direction along the longitudinal axis of the suture, wherein each of the first plurality of directional features is configured to pass through tissue in the first direction and each of the second plurality of directional features is configured to pass through tissue in the second direction.   
     
     
         40 . An assembly, comprising:
 (a) an elongate member including a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the elongate member extends along a longitudinal axis, wherein the elongate member includes a pair of channels recessed on an exterior surface of the elongate member, wherein each of the channels is obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis;   (b) a suture including a first suture end and a second suture end;   (c) a needle sized to fit within each of the channels, wherein the needle is configured to releasably capture the suture and pass the suture through the channel;   (d) a pair of capturing members moveably coupled to the distal portion of the elongate member, wherein the pair of capturing members includes a first capturing member positioned on a first side of the longitudinal axis and a second capturing member positioned on a second side of the longitudinal axis; and   (e) an actuator configured to transition the pair of capturing members from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the first capturing member is configured to retain the first suture end and the second capturing member is configured to retain the second suture end, wherein in the second position the first capturing member is configured to receive or release the first suture end and the second capturing member is configured to receive or release the second suture end.