Grasping apparatuses for holding needles and related methods

Abstract

This disclosure includes needle holders and related methods. Some holders use or include an elongated handle having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a first jaw member coupled to the distal portion of the handle, a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, and a lever pivotally coupled to the handle and coupled to the second jaw member such that the lever can be actuated by a user's thumb to selectively open and close the jaw members. In some holders, the handle extends proximally beyond the lever such that the lever can be actuated by the user's thumb to selectively open and close the jaw members while the handle is grasped within the user's hand. In some holders, the handle is defined by an elongated housing defining an interior volume configured to receive at least a portion of the lever when the jaw members are closed.

1 . A needle holder comprising:
 an elongated housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion;   a first jaw member coupled to the distal portion of the housing;   a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member; and   a lever pivotally coupled to the housing and coupled to the second jaw member such that the lever can be actuated by a user's thumb to selectively open and close the jaw members;   where the housing defines an interior volume configured to receive at least a portion of the lever when the jaw members are closed.   
     
     
         2 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where the first jaw member is fixed relative to the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The needle holder of  claim 2 , where the first jaw member is unitary with at least a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where the second jaw member is fixed relative to the lever. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where the interior volume is configured to receive a majority of the lever when the jaw members are closed. 
     
     
         7 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where a majority of the lever is contained within a cross-sectional perimeter of the housing when the jaw members are closed. 
     
     
         8 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , comprising a releasable locking mechanism configured to selectively resist opening of the jaw members when the jaw members are closed. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The needle holder of  claim 8 , where the releasable locking mechanism comprises a plurality of ratcheting teeth. 
     
     
         11 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where the proximal portion of the housing has a first transverse dimension, the distal portion of the housing has a second transverse dimension, and the first transverse dimension is larger than the second transverse dimension. 
     
     
         14 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where the housing tapers in transverse dimension from the proximal portion to the distal portion. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where the housing defines an opening in communication with the interior volume, the opening configured to receive at least a portion of the user's thumb when the jaw members are closed. 
     
     
         17 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where the proximal portion of the housing defines a handle. 
     
     
         18 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where the distal portion of the housing is angularly disposed at a non-parallel angle relative to the proximal portion of the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The needle holder of  claim 18 , where a longitudinal axis of the distal portion is angularly disposed at a non-parallel angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where the distal portion of the housing defines a depression configured to receive a finger of the user. 
     
     
         22 . The needle holder of  claim 21 , where at least a portion of the depression defines a gripping surface. 
     
     
         23 . The needle holder of  claim 1 , where the housing is ringless. 
     
     
         24 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method for grasping with a needle holder, the method comprising:
 gripping a proximal portion of a housing having a distal portion coupled to a first jaw member; and   actuating a lever pivotally coupled to the housing and coupled to a second jaw member to selectively open and close the jaw members;   where the housing defines an interior volume configured to receive at least a portion of the lever when the jaw members are closed.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , comprising locking at least a portion of the lever relative to the housing and within the interior volume of the housing. 
     
     
         42 . A method for grasping with a needle holder, the method comprising:
 grasping, within a hand, a proximal portion of a handle having a distal portion coupled to a first jaw member; and   actuating, with a thumb of the hand, a lever pivotally coupled to the handle and coupled to a second jaw member to selectively open and close the jaw members;   where the handle extends proximally beyond the lever.   
     
     
         43 . (canceled)