Patent ID: 7122040
Filing Date: 2006-10-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A suture placement device comprising: a crook-shaped needle comprising a suture passage through which a suture thread passes; a suture opening in a tip portion of said needle, from which said suture thread exits said needle; and a bend in said needle including an open portion of said suture passage, said bend defining a suture capture zone in which said suture thread is separated from said needle in said suture capture zone; a shuttle comprising a shuttle body and a shuttle hook, said shuttle hook formed at a distal end of said body; a barrel from which said needle extends and said shuttle may be extended, which comprises a source of said suture thread and means for traversing said shuttle over said needle; and means for guiding said shuttle along said tip portion of said needle into said suture capture zone, such that said shuttle traverses said needle and said shuttle hook engages said suture thread in said suture capture zone and draws said suture thread to said barrel, wherein said means for guiding said shuttle comprises a ramp formed within said barrel and comprising a track comprising at least two branches on which said shuffle rides, such that as said shuttle distally traverses over said needle, said ramp guides said shuttle hook through said suture capture zone and as said shuttle proximally traverses over said needle, said shuttle hook engages said thread of suture and draws said suture thread toward said barrel.