Claims
- 1. A suturing device, comprising:
a distal portion which is engaged with a length of suture; a needle which is axially movable distally and proximally; a soft tissue receiving portion disposed proximally of said distal portion; and a ramp portion for moving said needle radially inwardly and outwardly as the needle moves axially over said ramp portion.
- 2. The suturing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said soft tissue receiving portion comprises a clamping mechanism.
- 3. The suturing device as recited in claim 2, wherein said clamping mechanism comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein one of said jaws is movable relative to the other of said jaws to grasp soft tissue therein.
- 4. The suturing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said distal portion comprises a suture cartridge.
- 5. The suturing device as recited in claim 4, wherein said suture cartridge comprises a molded tip having a groove for accommodating said suture therein.
- 6. The suturing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said ramp portion comprises a radially outwardly sloping entrance ramp for moving said needle radially outwardly as the needle moves axially in a distal direction.
- 7. The suturing device as recited in claim 6, wherein said ramp portion further comprises a radially inwardly sloping retraction ramp for moving said needle radially inwardly as the needle moves axially in a proximal direction.
- 8. The suturing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said needle comprises a distal point, a proximal shaft, and a hook defining a suture holding area.
- 9. The suturing device as recited in claim 8, and further comprising a terminus of said hook, said hook terminus being cantilevered proximally from a distal end of said needle.
- 10. The suturing device as recited in claim 9, and further comprising a bump on said needle in a location opposed to said hook terminus.
- 11. The suturing device as recited in claim 10, wherein said hook terminus and said bump together provide a tactile sensation to a user when suture passes thereover into said suture holding area.
- 12. The suturing device as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a second needle.
- 13. The suturing device as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a sleeve for selectively covering said needle.
- 14. A needle for a suturing device, comprising:
a distal point; a proximal shaft; and a hook defining a suture holding area.
- 15. The needle as recited in claim 14, and further comprising a terminus of said hook, said hook terminus being cantilevered proximally from a distal end of said needle.
- 16. The needle as recited in claim 15, and further comprising a bump on said needle in a location opposed to said hook terminus.
- 17. A method of suturing soft tissue using a suturing device, said method comprising:
retaining a portion of soft tissue to be sutured; moving a needle having a hook which defines a suture holding area distally, so that said hook is disposed in a location past said portion of soft tissue and past a length of suture which is retained on a distal portion of said suturing device; moving said needle proximally and capturing said suture so that it is retained in said suture holding area; and moving said needle a further distance proximally, so that said needle draws said suture through said portion of soft tissue, thereby suturing said soft tissue.
- 18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein when said needle is moved distally, it is also moved radially outwardly in order to avoid contacting said length of suture.
- 19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein when said needle is moved proximally, it is also moved radially inwardly in order to ensure proper capture of said suture.
- 20. The method as recited in claim 17, and further comprising a step of covering said needle with a sheath prior to retracting the needle proximally through said soft tissue.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the filing date of Provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/391,676, entitled Suture Capture Device, and filed on Jun. 26, 2002, which application is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60391676 |
Jun 2002 |
US |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10308732 |
Dec 2002 |
US |
Child |
10856716 |
May 2004 |
US |