Needle removal devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A needle removal device is provided for removing needles from suturing systems. In an embodiment, the needle removal device may include a base member configured to be selectively positioned substantially adjacent a proximal portion of a suturing system. The proximal portion of the suturing system may include a plurality of needle lumens. The needle removal device may also include a plurality of needle receptacles at least partially defined by the base member. The needle receptacles may be positioned and configured to generally correspond to the needle lumens of the suturing system. The needle receptacles may be further configured to selectively receive and grasp onto one or more needles extending proximally from the needle lumens of the suturing system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A needle removal device comprising:
 a base member configured to be selectively positioned substantially adjacent a proximal portion of a suturing system;   a plurality of needle receptacles at least partially defined by the base member, the plurality of needle receptacles being further configured to selectively receive and grasp onto one or more needles extending proximally from needle lumens of the suturing device; and   a plurality of slots formed in a lateral surface of the base member and extending transversely from the lateral surface towards a longitudinal axis of the base member.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each slot includes a locking edge configured to lock a needle extending from a needle lumen of the suturing device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the slots traverses at least a portion of each of the needle receptacles. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a generally cylindrical body. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a handle member is attached to an end of the base member, the handle member being configured to provide a grip for a user. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein each of the handle member and the base member includes a central aperture, the central aperture being configured to receive a portion of the suturing system. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the portion of the suturing system includes a portion of a handle assembly and a portion of a needle deployment shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is further configured to allow a user to selectively exert a force in a proximal direction of about one quarter (0.25) pound-force to seventy (70) pound-force on one or more needles to remove the one or more needles from the suturing system. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of needle receptacles include one or more gripping features configured to enhance the grasp of the needle receptacles on the one or more needles. 
     
     
         10 . A suturing system comprising:
 a needle;   a suture attached to the needle;   a guide body having a suture lumen configured to receive at least a portion of the suture, and a needle lumen configured to receive the needle;   a shaft moveably positioned within the guide body, the shaft being operably connected to the needle; and   a needle removal device positioned substantially adjacent a proximal end of the guide body with the shaft extending through the needle removal device, the needle removal device including:
 a base member configured to be selectively positioned substantially adjacent the needle lumen, the base member including a central aperture configured to receive the shaft; 
 a needle receptacle at least partially defined by the base member, the needle receptacle being positioned and configured to generally correspond to the needle lumen, the needle receptacle being further configured to selectively receive and grasp onto the needle extending proximally from the needle lumen; and 
 a slot formed in a lateral surface of the body, the slot traverses at least a portion of the needle receptacle. 
   
     
     
         11 . The suture system of  claim 10 , wherein the needle removal device is selectively removable from the proximal end of the guide body. 
     
     
         12 . The suturing system of  claim 10 , wherein the needle removal device is moveable between a receiving position, wherein the needle is moveable within the needle receptacle, and a grasping position, wherein the needle is grasped within the needle receptacle by the needle removal device. 
     
     
         13 . The suturing system of  claim 12 , wherein the needle removal device in the grasping position is configured to allow a user to exert a force in a proximal direction of about one quarter (0.25) pound-force to seventy (70) pound-force on the needle to remove the needle from the needle lumen. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein each slot includes a locking edge configured to lock a needle extending from a needle lumen of the suturing device. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the needle includes a notched portion configured and positioned to engage with the locking edge. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the base member comprises a generally cylindrical body. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein a handle member is attached to a proximal portion of the base member, the handle member being configured to provide a grip for a user. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the handle member includes another central aperture, the another central aperture being configured to receive the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the needle receptacle include one or more gripping features configured to enhance the grasp of the needle receptacle on the needle.