Gerald I Brecher

US Patent:

6923819, Aug 2, 2005

Filed:

Apr 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/127254

Inventors:

John C. Meade - Mendon MA, US
Niall G. Deloughery - Lemerick, IE
Gerald I. Brecher - North Andover MA, US
James H. Bleck - Chelmsford MA, US

Assignee:

SuturTek Incorporated - North Chelmsford MA

International Classification:

A61B017/04

US Classification:

606144, 606139

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An apparatus for tissue suturing comprising a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis; a pusher assembly comprising a cartridge holder having a needle rotation drive capable of releasably engaging the cartridge and rotating the suturing needle about the axis; and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle rotation drive to rotate the needle rotation drive. A method for suturing tissue comprising placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span separated tissue segments; activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the separated tissue segments; and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the separated tissue segments forming a stitch.

US Patent:

7976555, Jul 12, 2011

Filed:

Jul 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/175442

Inventors:

John C. Meade - Mendon MA, US
Gerald I. Brecher - North Andover MA, US

Assignee:

EndoEvolution, LLC - North Chelmsford MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/04
A61B 17/06
B65D 85/24
B65D 83/10

US Classification:

606148, 206 633, 206363, 206338

Abstract:

The invention includes a needle loader that may be used with a suturing device. The needle loader includes a generally planar needle supporting surface, a hub configured and adapted for receiving a generally toroidally shaped suturing needle around the hub, and means for retaining a suturing needle in a fixed toroidal rotational position with respect to the hub about a center axis of needle rotation. Generally, a needle mounted around the hub is selectively disposable on and removable from the hub. In accordance with a further aspect, the loader may further include an opening for retaining suture material attached to a suturing needle. The opening may include a groove defined through the needle supporting surface. The needle loader may further include a guard for preventing access to the point of a suturing needle to protect the needle and/or to prevent accidental needle sticks.

US Patent:

8066737, Nov 29, 2011

Filed:

Mar 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/387127

Inventors:

John C. Meade - Mendon MA, US
Niall G. Deloughery - Lemerick, IE
Gerald I. Brecher - North Andover MA, US
James H. Bleck - Chelmsford MA, US

Assignee:

EndoEvolution, LLC - North Chelmsford MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/06

US Classification:

606222, 606145, 606147

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An apparatus for tissue suturing including a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end, a blunt end and notches, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis; a pusher assembly comprising a cartridge holder having a needle rotation drive capable of releasably engaging the cartridge and rotating the suturing needle about the axis; and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle rotation drive to rotate the needle rotation drive. A method for suturing tissue including placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span separated tissue segments; activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the separated tissue segments; and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the separated tissue segments forming a stitch.

US Patent:

8469973, Jun 25, 2013

Filed:

Jul 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/218633

Inventors:

John C. Meade - Mendon MA, US
Douglas M. Macarthur - Acton MA, US
Stephen M. Blinn - Amherst NH, US
Christopher Saulnier - Gray ME, US
Brian R. Edwards - Raymond ME, US
Gerald I. Brecher - North Andover MA, US

Assignee:

EndoEvolution, LLC - North Chelmsford MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/04
A61B 17/12

US Classification:

606144

Abstract:

A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a drive mechanism at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the drive mechanism is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the drive mechanism, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.

US Patent:

8623048, Jan 7, 2014

Filed:

Aug 3, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/197698

Inventors:

Gerald I. Brecher - North Andover MA, US
John C. Meade - Mendon MA, US
Niall Deloughery - Old Mill Creek, IE
James H. Bleck - Chelmsford MA, US

Assignee:

EndoEvolution, LLC - North Chelmsford MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/06

US Classification:

606222, 606144, 606147

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An apparatus for tissue suturing including a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end, a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis; a pusher assembly comprising a cartridge holder having a needle rotation drive capable of releasably engaging the cartridge and rotating the suturing needle about the axis; and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle rotation drive to rotate the needle rotation drive. A method for suturing tissue including placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span separated tissue segments; activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the separated tissue segments; and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the separated tissue segments forming a stitch.

US Patent:

7993354, Aug 9, 2011

Filed:

Oct 21, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/909606

Inventors:

Gerald I. Brecher - North Andover MA, US
John C. Meade - Mendon MA, US
John Aho - Lunenburg MA, US
Roger Baske - Old Mill Creek IL, US
James H. Bleck - Chelmsford MA, US
John F. Carlson - Lake Elmo MN, US
Thomas Eagan - Chelmsford MA, US
Michael J. Helander - Somerset WI, US
James W. Murray - Clear Lake WI, US
Ashley Perkins - Lowell MA, US
Wayne A. Shakal - Taylor Falls MN, US
Jonathan Towle - Amherst NH, US

Assignee:

EndoEvolution, LLC - North Chelmsford MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/04
A61B 17/12

US Classification:

606145

Abstract:

Devices and methods for minimally invasive suturing are disclosed. One suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes a proximal section a distal end, and an intermediate region therebetween. The device includes a suture head assembly having a suturing needle with a pointed end and a second end. The suturing needle is capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to deployment of guides that are adapted and configured to guide the needle around a circular path when advanced by a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.

US Patent:

20050216038, Sep 29, 2005

Filed:

May 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/121810

Inventors:

John Meade - Mendon MA, US
Niall Deloughery - Lemerick, IE
Gerald Brecher - North Andover MA, US
James Bleck - Chelmsford MA, US

International Classification:

A61B017/10
A61B017/04
A61B017/12

US Classification:

606144000, 606139000

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An apparatus for tissue suturing comprising a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis; a pusher assembly comprising a cartridge holder having a needle rotation drive capable of releasably engaging the cartridge and rotating the suturing needle about the axis; and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle rotation drive to rotate the needle rotation drive. A method for suturing tissue comprising placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span separated tissue segments; activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the separated tissue segments; and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the separated tissue segments forming a stitch.

US Patent:

20110288582, Nov 24, 2011

Filed:

Aug 4, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/197870

Inventors:

John C. Meade - Mendon MA, US
Niall G. Deloughery - Old Mill Creek, IE
Gerald I. Brecher - North Andover MA, US
James H. Bleck - Chelmsford MA, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/06

US Classification:

606226, 606222

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An apparatus for tissue suturing comprising a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis; a pusher assembly comprising a cartridge holder having a needle rotation drive capable of releasably engaging the cartridge and rotating the suturing needle about the axis; and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle rotation drive to rotate the needle rotation drive. A method for suturing tissue comprising placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span separated tissue segments; activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the separated tissue segments; and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the separated tissue segments forming a stitch.