US 11,672,525 B2
Endoscopic suture loop anchors and methods
John Mims, Austin, TX (US); Charles Dean, Austin, TX (US); Nicole Pinto, Austin, TX (US); Mitchell Gilkey, Austin, TX (US); Vladimir Mitelberg, Austin, TX (US); and Donald K. Jones, Dripping Springs, TX (US)
Assigned to APOLLO ENDOSURGERY US, INC., Austin, TX (US)
Filed by Apollo Endosurgery US, Inc., Austin, TX (US)
Filed on May 5, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/867,072.
Application 16/867,072 is a division of application No. 15/336,024, filed on Oct. 27, 2016, granted, now 10,639,028.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/248,081, filed on Oct. 29, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0261074 A1, Aug. 20, 2020
Int. Cl. A61B 17/04 (2006.01); A61B 17/062 (2006.01); A61B 17/06 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61F 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/0469 (2013.01) [A61B 17/0482 (2013.01); A61B 17/0485 (2013.01); A61B 17/0487 (2013.01); A61B 17/0625 (2013.01); A61B 17/06061 (2013.01); A61B 17/06109 (2013.01); A61B 17/06166 (2013.01); A61B 17/29 (2013.01); A61F 5/0089 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00004 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00296 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00818 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0417 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0472 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0496 (2013.01); A61B 2017/06052 (2013.01); A61B 2017/06176 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A needle assembly for use in association with a suturing device having a movable needle holder arm and a length of suture, comprising:
a needle tip with a sharp end, a circumferential capture groove adjacent the sharp end and a tubular section adjacent the circumferential capture groove having an opening adapted to receive the end of a length of suture, and
a straight, tubular needle body having a first end adjacent the needle tip, a second end opposite the needle tip, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an axis extending between the first and second ends,
the second end provided with retaining structure into which the needle holder arm is received so that the needle body can be removably retained on the needle holder arm, and a suture passage open to receive suture through the body of the needle, the passage extending through the side wall at a location between the first and second ends of the needle body and extending transverse to the needle axis when the needle tip is assembled at the first end of the needle body,
wherein the needle assembly is adapted to be longitudinally displaced along a length of suture extending through the suture passage during use of the needle assembly.