Surgical stabilizer and closure system

Abstract

A system for stabilizing the heart via a helical needle, providing access to the interior of the heart via an introducer sheath, and forming a purse string suture using suture delivered by the helical needle. A helical needle projects distally from the device in a helical shape and terminates in a sharp distal tip. The helical needle is advanced into the heart wall, and is used to stabilize the heart and to pass a purse string suture through the heart tissue. An access port provides access to the interior of the heart via an opening passing through the heart wall in an area circumscribed by the helical needle. A length of suture may pass through the helical needle and exit at an opening at or near the needle distal tip. A free end of the length of suture may extend out of the distal tip and back into the hollow suture needle through the opening. The helical needle may have a deflection segment adjacent the distal tip that is more flexible than the rest of the helical distal portion of the helical needle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for performing a procedure on a heart, comprising;
 a stabilizer, comprising:
 a handle comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a handle body, the handle further comprising a proximal opening, a distal opening, and an access lumen passing through the handle body and extending from the proximal opening to the distal opening; 
 a helical needle extending from a distal end of the handle, the helical needle comprising a helical distal portion and a distal end, wherein the helical needle extends from a side of the distal end of the handle, the helical distal portion circumscribing a longitudinal axis of the access lumen without obstructing the handle distal opening; 
 a length of suture along the helical distal portion of the helical needle; 
   and   a puncture implement comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion comprises a sharp needle, wherein the puncture implement is positioned slidingly within the access lumen of the handle of the stabilizer with the sharp needle in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of the access lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The system of claim  11 , wherein the helical needle comprises a deflection segment positioned at or within the distal portion of the helical needle, and wherein the length of suture passes through the helical needle to the deflection segment. 
     
     
         3 . The system of claim  12 , wherein the deflection segment is more flexible than the rest of the helical needle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of claim  11 , wherein the stabilizer further comprises a padded distal portion at the distal end of the handle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of claim  11 , wherein the stabilizer further comprises:
 a seal configured to engage against the puncture device to prevent the passage of fluid through the access lumen and between the puncture device and the stabilizer handle.   
     
     
         6 . The system of claim  11 , wherein the puncture implement comprises an inner lumen passing the length of the puncture implement, wherein the inner lumen is configured to slidingly receive a guide wire. 
     
     
         7 . A stabilizer comprising:
 a handle comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a handle body, the handle further comprising a proximal opening, a distal opening, and an access lumen passing through the handle body and extending from the proximal opening to the distal opening;   an annular sealing ring positioned within the access lumen, wherein the annular sealing ring is configured to engage inwardly against devices passing through the access lumen;   a helical needle extending from a distal end of the handle, the helical needle comprising a helical distal portion and a distal end, wherein the helical needle extends from a side of the distal end of the handle, the helical distal portion circumscribing a longitudinal axis of the access lumen without obstructing the handle distal opening; and   a length of suture passing along the helical distal portion of the helical needle.   
     
     
         8 . The stabilizer of claim  17 , wherein the access lumen has an inner diameter of about 0.25-0.50 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The stabilizer of claim  17 , wherein the stabilizer has a length of about 2-4 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The stabilizer of claim  17 , further comprising a threaded fitting on the handle, and further comprising a cap having a matching thread to the threaded fitting, wherein the cap positioned on the threaded fitting and configured to be advanced, in screw-like fashion, over the threaded fitting and to thereby produce inward pressure on the handle.