Patent ID: 6383208
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A suture introducer comprising:an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a first channel extending distally through said housing, and second and third channels communicating with said first channel and opening on the exterior of said housing; said first channel being sized to receive the midsection of a loop of suture, and said second and third channels each being sized to receive a free end of the same loop of suture, and said second and third channels being configured so that when the midsection of a loop of suture is positioned in said first channel and one free end of the same loop of suture is positioned in each of the second and third channels, and said housing is positioned in tissue, pushing distally on the midsection of the loop of suture will cause the two free ends of the same loop of suture to exit the second and third channels so as to penetrate the tissue; said elongated housing being hinged so as to selectively release the midsection of the loop of suture.